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The software was first announced back in September - Microsoft targets mid range businesses with Dynamics - but this incarnation marks the first product released as part of Dynamics Wave 1.

Taking a role-based approach to desktop-based computing - 21 roles are covered in this release - Microsoft Dynamics GP deploys software appropriate for the processes and reports for specific jobs in a company. For example, there are personalised displays of Key Performance Indicators, so-called KPIs, and SmartLists for task-oriented displays. The software also includes Business Analysis Cubes for Microsoft Excel.

It all brings back memories of Microsoft Dashboard, which similarly grouped

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interface elements suitable for particular professions, for example health care workers.

The system will be integrated with Microsoft's existing range of business platforms including Office, SharePoint Portal Server and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services.

More information can be found on the Dynamics section of the Microsoft website.

The release of Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 beta 2 further marks Microsoft entry into server territory previously controlled by the likes of IBM and HP. Muglia emphasised, however, that the software was aimed at 4 to 64 clustered computers - the 'mainstream' of high performance computing - rather than the super computing regions of the Top 500.

The company is also making a multi-million dollar investment in 10 Institutes of High Performance Computing in conjunction with universities around the world, including the University of Southampton in the UK.

Muglia also announced plans for System Center Essentials - management software for mid-sized companies (essentially the best of MOM and SMS) - and a December RTM (release to manufacturing) of System Center Capacity Planner 2006, for performance analysis and planning of Exchange Server deployments.