Microsoft has shelved plans to bundle its server applications two weeks before the launch of a major overhaul to its BizTalk Server 2004 integration server software.
The software giant is backing away from its strategy to sell its server applications as a suite, called Jupiter, which would have included its BizTalk Server, Content Management Server and Commerce Server products. The company"s Jupiter initiative was seen as a direct assault on Java server software companies, which have each created their own server software suites.
Last year, Microsoft pushed out the date for the Jupiter bundle from this year to next. Microsoft decided to scrap the bundle altogether because customers and business partners had not shown a strong interest in purchasing the products in a single suite, a Microsoft representative said Tuesday. The components of the originally envisioned Jupiter bundle are part of Microsoft"s Windows Server System, which includes Windows Server 2003, SharePoint Services portal software, the SQL Server database and Exchange. The company last month said it will launch a $20 million advertising campaign touting the advantages of cost and integration among its server software products.