Systems Management Server 2003 Hits RC1 -- Redmondmag.com

Systems Management Server 2003 Hits RC1

By Scott Bekker
07/02/2003

Systems Management Server 2003 entered its last major testing milestone when Microsoft on Tuesday put out Release Candidate 1 of the replacement for the four-year-old SMS 2.0.

Microsoft officials say this early July RC1 release puts the product group on track to release the product to manufacturing in September. General availability usually follows release to manufacturing by one to two months. The first beta version came out in October, and the second beta version went out to testers in April.

The enhancements to SMS 2003 that are most often emphasized by Microsoft include greater mobile support for laptops and roaming users, tighter integration with Active Directory and other Windows 2000 components, improved asset discovery and management, more scalable software metering and Web-based reporting tools.

SMS 2.0 came out in early 1999 and is up to its fifth service pack. As Microsoft's release schedule for SMS 2003 has slipped, the company has delivered additional functionality for SMS 2.0 customers through feature and value packs.

Over time, Microsoft plans to merge SMS with Microsoft Operations Manager, but both management products are expected to remain as distinct products for several more years.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

What's Inside Microsoft 365's Security Toolbox?

Microsoft provides plenty of native tools to secure Microsoft 365. IT pros just have to know where to look.
Microsoft Kills 30-Day Data Retention Policy for Copilot in Fabric

Microsoft this week announced several usability improvements coming to Copilot in Fabric in preparation of its general availability release later this year.
Using Microsoft Office to Build a Network Diagram 2

Now that we've set up our process, let's dig in with the actual execution.
Microsoft Graph 'Activity Logs' Feature Goes Live

Microsoft announced the general availability of the "activity logs" capability in Microsoft Graph, giving administrators more options to track user activity and identify patterns of potential misuse.
Fallout from Microsoft's 'Midnight Blizzard' Saga Hits Feds

When the Russian attack group Midnight Blizzard successfully breached Microsoft corporate e-mail accounts late last year, it apparently managed to steal U.S. government agency e-mails, too.