Smoothing the Migration from NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003

Many organizations are reporting cost savings, reduced risk, faster performance and other benefits since transitioning from a Microsoft Windows NT server environment to a Windows Server 2003 system.

More companies will be making the switch over the coming year, as Microsoft phases out support for Windows NT Server 4.0. To help these companies, Microsoft is offering a host of tools and resources, from free training courses, to reference materials and online guides, to services such as QuickStart and technology tools such as the Active Directory Migration Tool and IIS Migrator.

"Many NT4 customers would like to take advantage of the benefits provided by Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, or Small Business Server 2003," says Jim Hebert, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Server Marketing Division. "By taking advantage of the tools, guidance and trained Microsoft partners, many customers are finding the upgrade remarkably painless."

The renewed focus on these migration tools and resources comes nearly 12 months before an important deadline for Microsoft customers: the sunset of support for NT 4.0 systems, slated for December 31 of this year. But Microsoft officials say customers have good reason to upgrade, even without the retirement of the 8-year-old NT Server family of operating systems.

"In general, regardless of your workload, you're going to get about two times -- in some cases even three times -- the performance that you would get out of an NT 4.0 server, without even changing hardware," says Troy Zaboukos, product manager in Microsoft's Windows Server Division.

If you would like to discuss the transition from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 call Arbor Solutions at 616.451.2500 or e-mail info@arbsol.com

Microsoft readies SP1 for Office 2003

Microsoft is working hard to get Service Pack 1 for Office 2003 ready for distribution by May. It's understood that this release is important to Microsoft because many corporate customers hold off purchasing software upgrades until after the release of the first Service Pack. SP 1 is expected to include new security updates as part of a continued emphasis by Microsoft to improve it's overall security position.