...that there is no job too big to run on the Windows and Microsoft platform," Ballmer said. He brought up Intel chief executive Paul Otellini, who showed off the latest in Intel and Windows-based hardware from makers such as Dell, HP, IBM, NEC and Hitachi. Otellini also touted the added ability from within Visual Studio 2005 to work directly with Intel's compilers and tools.
In discussing SQL Server, Ballmer also reiterated a Microsoft pitch to win Oracle database customers, offering a 50 percent discount for some customers that switch to SQL Server from rival products. Oracle, for its part, issued a statement touting its support for Microsoft's new developer tools and the Windows version of its database software.
Although Monday was focused on Microsoft's traditional software products, Ballmer made a brief references to the company's expanded services effort, including its launch of Windows Live and Office Live last week.
"We know we need to evolve our platform from client and server all the way out to the cloud," Ballmer said.
Microsoft also showed off the ability to access SQL Server 2005 data directly from within Excel in Office 12, the new version of the desktop suite that is due out in the second half of next year.
PCL Constructors, an Edmonton, Alberta-based construction company, used the new database and developer tools to build a system for managing documents across desktop computers throughout North America. The system allows the documents to be stored primarily on the desktop rather than on a central server, with only the changes being sent across the network.
"We're hoping to get good performance without having to put servers everywhere," said Gerry Salm, a systems and technology manager at PCL.
An executive at Avanade, the consulting firm that helped PCL build its system, said that the new programs have a lot to offer, but said that the five years it took Microsoft to upgrade SQL is too long for companies to have to wait for some services.
"Eighteen to 24 months seems about right to our customers," said Larry Barnes, Avanade's enterprise collaboration practice director. "That syncs up with what Microsoft and the SQL team is looking for the future. A lot of our customers feel comfortable with that."
CNET News.com's Martin LaMonica contributed to this report.
Cheap Trick come on before Microsoft explains pricing for its new database and and developer products
Talkback
Wait and see is still where the smart money is. As is keeping your options open.
History so far has proven that new Microsoft technologies come with big overhauls that can introduce domino effects all over the place should one wish to make full use of the functionalities offered (often changed or added to with the next Service Pack release).