Windows Server 2008: Microsoft has listened to users

Microsoft's long-awaited server operating system, Windows Server 2008, is evidence that Redmond is taking note of what customers want.

That's according to analysts who feel although the new OS doesn't represent a huge step, numerous small changes mean it's a significant improvement on its predecessor, Windows Server 2003.

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Roy Illsley, senior research analyst at Butler Group, told silicon.com: "They've listened to people and put into 2008 the enhancements that the system administrators and people like that actually want to see in an operating system."

He said: "I don't see this as being a massive thing. It's lots of little bits that have added up. They've put a lot more effort on the bits."

He added that the availability of a core version of the OS could be a significant benefit as it will require fewer patch updates and will be easier to manage due to its smaller footprint.

He said: "That is something that will be of interest to many server managers out there. That would be a very substantial time saving and effort saving."

Another important feature according to Illsley is role-based access, meaning people only have access to the parts of the OS they need to do their job.

He said: "It's much neater and fits in with the way organisations work. It fits in more with Sarbanes Oxley. It's an expected thing but it's a nice expected thing."

"I like what I'm seeing. What they've done with 2008 is listen. They've taken the right approach," Illsley added.

Regarding take-up, Illsley said companies will want to see customer case studies and may wait for problems to be ironed out by the first service pack before deciding to take it up.

He said: "The big adoption of Windows Server 2008 will be 12 months after its launch."

Mike Davis, senior analyst at Ovum, said Server 2008 doesn't represent a huge change as a number of the features have been made available through Server 2003 service packs.

To read more analyst opinion along with their take on Windows Server 2008's virtualisation features, see page two.