The subscribers of Microsoft Software Assurance Program were overjoyed when recently Microsoft announced the release of Windows Server 2008 R2. The new release has various integration points with Microsoft’s client OS Windows 7. Server Virtualization and major enhancements spanning IIS to networking to Terminal Services, not to mention secure remote access sans VPN make it a tempting buy for SMBs. Deploying virtual machines and many other services in one box never got easier and better before. Virtualization element of R2 server is a solid way to slash power consumption and squeezing most out of your server.
In R2 version, Microsoft was smart enough to level up with vmWare by including the Live Migration feature that enables movement of virtual server workloads around a data center on the fly. BranchCache and Direct Access are two important features reliant on Windows 7 that come with R2 Server.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index, based in Michigan measures consumer satisfaction across 43 industries and more than 200 companies in the United States. In its annual findings, this economic indicator announced Google as outsmarting all its competitors in the Web portal and Search Engine space. Google earned 86 points out of 100 with close competitor Yahoo trailing at 77.

In the PC Industry segment, Apple topped the list with 84 points with archrival Dell being pushed to the second slot scoring 75 points. On the whole customer satisfaction within PC category was up 1.3% to 75 this year and key reason was enhanced satisfaction with Windows computers.. Compaq's score went up 6% to stand at 74 points, Gateway's managed 3% rise to 74 while Hewlett-Packard was up 1% to 74 and Dell's stood at 75 points like the last year.