Microsoft continues Windows Server name game

CONTINUING TO FIDDLE with the name of its upcoming Windows server, Microsoft on Thursday announced it will drop the .Net branding from the product's name and will simply call it Windows Server 2003.

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The company announced it is dropping the .Net branding in its products and instead will name products and services that support popular Internet standards, such as SOAP and XML, with a .Net Connected logo.

According to a company spokesman, as support for Web services becomes "intrinsic" across Microsoft's products, the company will gravitate to a more consistent naming and branding approach. This is intended to better enable business partners to associate with the strategy as well as allow users to more easily identify which products can interoperate and connect based on Web service standards.

One of the major development goals to be accomplished within Windows Server 2003 is the complete integration of .Net and XML Web services. Such integration is intended to supply corporate users with better connected and more secure and reliable infrastructure while providing the best value for customers.

The name change involving Windows Server 2003 is only that, according to a company spokesman, as the product's technology and April delivery date remain unchanged, Microsoft officials said.

Besides Windows Server 2003, the .Net Connected logo, which was first unveiled last July, will be on any and all third-party products that support the major Internet-based development standards.