SQL Server 2008: Q3 or Bust
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News Brief. Microsoft has a knack for saving bad news for Fridays and using a blog to deliver it. Today's news bummer: SQL Server 2008 won't be released to manufacturing until the third quarter. |
Lateness was already assured, but how late was uncertain. SQL Server 2008 officially launches on Feb. 27, with 2008 versions of Visual Studio and Windows Server. Microsoft had already acknowledged that SQL Server 2008 wouldn't be available next month. Visual Studio 2008 already is available and, barring a nuclear disaster, Windows Server 2008 will RTM before the launch date.
Microsoft is pretty particular about its nomenclature. The 2008 naming strongly suggested that SQL Server would be released earlier in the year rather than later. Third quarter is pushing it, based on the nomenclature.
In a blog post this afternoon, Francois Ajenstat, director of SQL Server Product Management, laid out the road map for the coming months: "Microsoft is excited to deliver a feature-complete CTP during the 'Heroes Happen Here' launch wave and a release candidate (RC) in Q2 calendar year 2008, with final Release to manufacturing (RTM) of SQL Server 2008 expected in Q3."
I suppose Microsoft doesn't have to rush, because enterprises are forking over cash now. During yesterday's conference call for fiscal second-quarter financial results, Microsoft revealed that annuity licensing contract renewals are strong for server products launching next month.
Conceptually, software sales should decline ahead of a new product launch. But Microsoft enterprise products work differently, because of annuity licensing. New products coming in the near future give IT organizations good reasons to pay up and renew. So Microsoft collects cash up front, well ahead of actual enterprise deployments.
For businesses planning network and infrastructure upgrades with Microsoft software, SQL Server's delivery road map is troubling. Some analysts talk about a "Big Bang" of infrastructure upgrades following Windows Server 2008's release. SQL Server 2008 is part of the infrastructure, and it's a crucial component of Microsoft's business intelligence platform.
SQL Server 2008's RTM timing is good news for Sun, which is buying MySQL. Can you say, "Fear, uncertainty and doubt?"
Comments (4)
Joe, did I mention that March 7th was a Friday.
Just 6 weeks away!
Posted by I-Man | January 25, 2008 4:27 PM
it will suck just like vista , a hog not a longhorn
Posted by tcy | January 25, 2008 7:42 PM
Just how late is Microsoft willing to be when all their developers, partners and clients are being forced to hold their noses AND their breaths?
I guess you Microsoftees are willing to turn a blind eye to all of management's antics. No wonder the shareprice took a dive right after a "record quarter". It's the same thing that happened in early summer when MSFt had to announce they were delaying things after a "record quarter". In fact, the fall quarter went the same way, didn't it?
So, when are all of you going to finally realize MSFT's technology gap is exactly what the industry sees and no matter how much money MSFT makes off their past product monopolies, the future is a complete toilet for Microsoft.
Enjoy, folks. Enjoy.
http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_M/threadview?m=tm&bn=12004&tid=1335584&mid=1335584&tof=7&frt=2
Posted by I-Man | January 25, 2008 10:41 PM
I-Man :
You're an idiot.
Posted by Chance | May 21, 2008 1:36 PM