Microsoft Launches Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005

Microsoft emphasized that these versions give all manufacturing
organizations a chance to learn about the way that many of the
important next generation applications will be built, delivered and
maintained.

Microsoft launches Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005.
Microsoft provides developers and IT professionals with a dependable
application platform that has underlying support for web services and
service orientation capabilities. The deeper integration of the server
and tools with these releases enables a host of innovative scenarios
and range of new capabilities.

Bob Mick, ARC Advisory Group said, "Microsoft launched the long
anticipated next versions of SQL Server, Visual Studio and BizTalk,
which is the released version of the Yukon, Whidbey and other code
names you may have heard about over the last few years. Even
Microsoft's "Ready-to-Rock" event did not portray the significance and
importance of this release.

These three products represent key elements of Microsoft's technology
platform and will define Microsoft's success for several years based
on how well they have understood and anticipated business and
developer needs. In that regard, key strategies include an
overwhelming list of new features and approaches, a well integrated
platform based on a single development environment for multiple roles
and attention to performance and security.

The integrated trio of products line up well with key business needs
for flexible access to business intelligence, optimized role-based
work flow and a scalable platform for all enterprise applications—all
of which are especially important for enabling manufacturing
businesses who striving for real-time performance, requiring
visibility and flexibility throughout the enterprise."

Microsoft also announced "Express" versions which are free and
downloadable. Some Express versions are limited in capability and some
are time-limited, serving the needs of both those who want inexpensive
web application development tools and those who want to evaluate the
full feature set.

Microsoft emphasized that the new platform is mission-critical ready
and these versions give all manufacturing organizations a chance to
learn about the way that many of the important next generation
applications will be built, delivered and maintained. It is time for
manufacturers to formulate plans for migrating to this new
infrastructure, and evaluate how these new capabilities and increased
productivity might facilitate business initiatives.

www.b-eye-network.com

Japan's Health Ministry releases bird flu action plan

Japan's government will stockpile antiviral drugs and help chicken
farmers control bird flu in their flocks as part of an action plan to
combat an outbreak that could kill as many as 640,000 people in Japan,
the government announced Monday.

The release of the plan in Japan, which has not yet suffered a human
death from the virus, came as anxieties over the illness were spurred
by reports over the weekend of new outbreaks in China and Vietnam.

"We need to be sufficiently prepared so we can act promptly in case
bird flu spreads to human beings," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe
told reporters Monday. "Rather than deal with matters after it occurs,
we need to have measures in place beforehand."

A committee including officials from local governments, medical
institutions, and the Health Ministry was to convene on Tuesday to
begin discussions on how to meet the plans' objectives.

The plan outlines the measures to be taken should the current form of
bird flu, which so far has only been transmitted from animals to other
animals or a limited number of humans, were to mutate to a form that
can be transmitted between people.

The ministry's scheme calls for the government to stockpile the
antiviral drug Tamiflu, assist bird keepers to control and eliminate
outbreaks among their flocks, and keep the public alerted to
developments.

The action plan set the targeted size of the Tamiflu stockpile at 25
million doses against the assumption that 32 million people, or 25
percent of the population, would become infected.

The plan says between 170,000 and 640,000 people could die in Japan,
and between 530,000 and 2 million people would be hospitalized. The
current type of bird flu is extremely deadly when transmitted to
humans, killing nearly half those who are infected. But Japanese
health officials said viruses that are transmitted between humans tend
to be less deadly, so that a much larger percentage of people infected
under the government's scenario would survive.

Bird flu hit Japan last year for the first time in decades. There have
been several outbreaks of the dangerous H5N1 variety among birds in
the country, and one confirmed human case in December, but no human
deaths have been reported. Hundreds of thousands of birds have been
culled.

Reports Saturday of two more outbreaks each in China and Vietnam seem
certain to keep the topic in the minds of attendees to the Asian
Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in South Korea this week. At
least 64 people have died of the virus worldwide.

"We will explain our country's efforts, and I think it is meaningful
to exchange and share information and to talk about measures for bird
flu," Abe said of Japan's discussions with other attendees at APEC.

Most of the people infected have had contact with sick birds. But
health experts worry the virus might develop a mutation that allows it
to spread directly from person to person, setting off a pandemic that
could kill millions.

www.mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp

IXEurope Ranked 9th in Deloitte Technology Fast 50

Rank announced at awards ceremony in London's Café Royal; result of
842.3% revenue growth over five years, from 2000-2004.

IXEurope, a Europe based datacentre services company, recently
announced that it ranked 9th in the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 50,
a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in London and
Southern region.

Deloitte announced IXEurope's position at the awards ceremony in
London's Café Royal on November 10, as a result of 842.3% revenue
growth over five years, from 2000-2004. The news of the ranking
follows the recent second half 2005 announcement of 47% growth.
IXEurope's CEO, Guy Willner, believes that the company's growth over
the past five years is a testament to the fact that the company has
been built on a sound business plan, an innovative yet considered
strategy and the backing of a strong management team.

To qualify for the Fast 50, entrants must have had 2000 operating
revenues of at least 50,000 Euros. Deloitte researchers examined
financial statements to validate operating revenues. Entrants must
also be public or private companies headquartered in a participating
region of the UK and must be a 'technology company,' defined as a
company that owns proprietary technology that contributes to a
significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devotes a
significant proportion of revenues to the research and development of
technology.

"Making the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is a testament to a company's
commitment to technology. With its 842.3% growth rate over five years,
IXEurope has proven that its leadership has the vision and
determination to grow in difficult conditions," said William Touche,
National Managing Partner of Deloitte's Fast 50 Awards.

www.spanish.peopledaily.com.cn