Management and Messaging to Be Highlights Of Microsoft IT Forum 2003

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 13, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Management and Messaging will be keynote highlights at the company’s second annual leading European infrastructure conference, Microsoft IT Forum 2003, which will attract more than 3,000 European technology professionals responsible for IT operations, implementation, architecture and technology decision-making.

Kirill Tatarinov, corporate vice president of the Enterprise Management Division at Microsoft, will present the opening keynote address, titled
“Integrated Innovation,” on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tatarinov is leading the development and marketing efforts for Microsoft® Windows® management technologies and products, including Microsoft System Center, Systems Management Server, Microsoft Operations Manager and Microsoft Application Center, and brings more than a decade of experience in the systems management industry to his role. He was named one of the business world’s 2002 Premier 100 IT Leaders by Computerworld. Joining Tatarinov during the keynote address will be Kevin McCuistion, director of Exchange Server at Microsoft. For the past three years, McCuistion has had overall responsibility for product planning, business development and core marketing of Microsoft Exchange Server. His team has coordinated development and market readiness of both Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 while helping to develop Exchange Server into the market leader for messaging-based collaboration. Klaus Holse-Andersen, vice president of Northern Europe at Microsoft EMEA, will act as the keynote host.

Microsoft also today announced that Microsoft IT Forum 2003 will host the worldwide launch of Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, Microsoft’s change and configuration management solution for the Windows operating system. Based on extensive customer feedback, SMS 2003 includes simplified application deployment, improved asset management, new security patch management, mobile support for laptops, and tighter integration with Windows Management Services. Several customers will be on hand to talk about their early experiences with the product.

Additionally, highlighted product and the premier event sponsor Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 delivers best in class e-mail-based collaboration services that are highly secure, reliable and easy to access, enabling businesses to make decisions efficiently and compete more effectively. Exchange Server 2003 is part of the Windows Server System™
, Microsoft’s comprehensive, integrated and interoperable server infrastructure that simplifies the development, deployment and operation of agile business solutions. Exchange Server 2003 is also a key component in enabling information worker scenarios as part of the Microsoft Office System.

Exchange Server 2003 will be featured in more than 40 sessions, hands-on labs, and Chalk- & -Talk sessions, demonstrating how a top-to-bottom integrated server infrastructure based on Windows Server™
2003 maximizes return on investment in technology.

Microsoft IT Forum 2003 will deliver six in-depth pre-conference seminars, more than 160 technical breakout sessions and more than 40 hands-on-labs. New this year is the Technical Decision Maker (TDM) Virtual Track, which will run across six scheduled tracks that target customers responsible for critical purchasing and implementation decisions. Additional key conference features will include an expanded program of Chalk- & -Talk sessions, offering an interactive environment and providing drill-down information on technical issues, and the Microsoft Pavilion, where attendees can get their technical questions answered by a Microsoft expert.

Recognized as Europe’s leading infrastructure conference, Microsoft IT Forum 2003 attracts global industry leaders as sponsors. This year’s sponsors include the following:

  • Platinum Sponsors: Dell, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, HP, Intel Corp. and KVS

  • Gold Sponsors: AMD, EMC Corp. and VERITAS Software Corp.

  • Silver Sponsors: Altiris Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., CommVault Systems Inc., IXOS Software Inc., Quest Software Inc. and Sybari Software Inc.

The Sponsor and Exhibition Hall will feature more than 75 leading companies displaying information on the latest technologies, products and services. New to the exhibition this year will be a Microsoft Office System Partner Zone and Presentation Theater, focusing on building strong working relationships that will drive adoption of the new Microsoft Office System. Key service providers and independent software vendors that have built compelling business solutions on the next-generation Microsoft Office System will be demonstrating their solutions in the Partner Zone.

The Communications Network will feature more than 300 networked computers giving attendees instant access to the Internet and the Microsoft IT Forum 2003 Attendee Web site. As a new feature of the network this year, each attendee will be allocated a Microsoft Exchange 2003 e-mail account to keep in touch with the office and other attendees, receive updates from the organizers, and send e-mail directly to speakers regarding issues brought up in their sessions. Hardware sponsors for the Communications Network are Dell and HP. Software available on the network features a series of new products including Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 and the Microsoft Office System. Attendees will be able to borrow wireless LAN cards to enable free access to a high-bandwidth wireless network throughout the conference center.

Over five days in Copenhagen, Denmark, Microsoft IT Forum 2003 will offer attendees cutting-edge information delivered by industry experts on planning, deploying and managing a connected infrastructure using Microsoft technologies.

This year, Microsoft celebrates the 20th anniversary of its operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For more information or to register, those interested should visit http://www.microsoft.com/europe/itforum/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Server System and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Press Center

In addition to a range of briefing sessions and opportunity to meet with a number of influential spokespeople, a range of facilities will be available at the conference to help press get the most out of Microsoft IT Forum 2003. These include a dedicated Press Center, Press Communications area with wireless connectivity, Press Briefing Room and One-to-One meeting rooms.

Note to editors : If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

Related Posts