Microsoft next month will launch new software and a time-tested strategy--undercutting prices--in an attempt to grab a larger share of the enterprise storage market. The company's Storage Server 2003 software, designed to run as the operating system on network-attached storage (NAS) devices, is expected to debut next month.
NAS devices are dedicated computers that serve up files and data to computer users on a network. The systems tend to be used by smaller companies or work groups within large organizations, such as law firms or financial services companies, that frequently access data in the form of files. The Redmond, Wash.-based giant says the new software pumps up the performance of its existing NAS software and adds features such as a new data copying tool and support for clustering more NAS machines. Storage Server 2003 is based on the Windows Server 2003 operating system, retooled for use in dedicated file servers.
The software's debut will be a significant milestone for Microsoft's Enterprise Storage Division, launched in January 2002 and headed by veteran executive Bob Muglia. In the past year, the division has been busy cutting deals with new partners. Microsoft has gained ground in the storage market over the past year. The market share for Windows in network-attached storage devices rose 8 percentage points earlier this year, to 41 percent.
Source:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5065870.html
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