Microsoft launches SharePoint Portal Server

NEW DELHI: Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. has launched the first localized server version - SharePoint Portal Server to address the growing need for knowledge management solutions across various verticals. The announcement was made as part of an event organized by Microsoft to provide an update on its localization program for India, and chart the roadmap for future versions of popular Microsoft software. Microsoft announced its plan to extend the Indian language support currently available with Office XP to Bengali, Malayalam, Assamese and Oriya over the next 12 to 18 months.

Additionally, Microsoft will launch the Indian language version of Content Management Server, aimed at the burgeoning local language Web Content Management market in the next three months. The launch of the localized version of SharePoint Portal Server extends Microsoft’s offerings in the desktop space into the more complex server based Indian language solutions market. At the event, WebDunia, a Microsoft partner showcased the Hindi and Kannada enabled interface for SharePoint Portal Server.

SharePoint Portal Server is Microsoft’s Intranet Portal Server offering, and will primarily target industry verticals in need for knowledge management, content management solution. In addition, Microsoft announced three local language solutions developed for the National Crime Records Bureau, Nai Disha - a government to citizen portal for the Government of Haryana, and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. These products have been developed by Microsoft and its partners across the country.

Microsoft’s current range of local language enabled products is aimed at the desktop user, and includes Office 2000 South Asia Edition, Office XP with Indian Language Support, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Office XP and Windows XP support nine Indian languages, and were launched last year.

Commenting on the announcement, Sanjiv Mathur, Group Marketing Manager, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd, said, "The launch of SharePoint Portal Server is yet another milestone in our effort to empower every segment of the Indian market with world class software." He added, "Our experience in developing products that cater to the Indian market, is fast turning into expertise, and makes the value proposition of our offerings, unbeatable."