"Today, we launch our virtualization strategy in earnest," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer yesterday at a live event in Los Angeles, CA, to launch Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. Windows Server 2008, Ballmer noted, included a beta version of the Hyper-V virtualization technology. "We're very early in the virtualization technology cycle," he said.

As Jessica Mintz of the Associated Press observed: "Notably absent from the server launch was a final version of Hyper-V, a software layer that allows IT people to turn a single server computer into many virtual machines. While a beta version is available, Microsoft has said that component won't be complete for another six months, even as Chief Executive Steve Ballmer touted virtualization as one of the key trends addressed by Microsoft's new generation of programs."

The late Hypervisor aside, however, the "triple whammy" release of enterprise products constituted the biggest wave of enterprise products in company history for Microsoft.

Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Microsoft Server and Tools Business, spoke almost poetically about the triple release:

"With these products, IT pros and developers can step into the IT hero role. They can make it possible for employees to get to their own desktops on any machine, from any location. With the right development tools, they can quickly create and deploy applications that deliver compelling user experiences for end-users. The server products help them create an IT infrastructure that will restore itself instantly following a catastrophic power outage. It’s also become easier to integrate, manage and use the growing volumes of data to gain deeper business insights."

Asked how he saw the datacenter evolving over the next five years, Muglia emphasized the future role of virtualization:

"Virtualization is one of the key enablers of our Dynamic IT initiative. Currently, less than 10 percent of all servers are virtualized. We see a future, five years or so out, in which the vast majority of server services will be run in some form of a virtualized environment."

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