Microsoft has realigned its enterprise management group in what analysts see as an important step to extending further into big companies. The software maker has shifted responsibility for its Systems Management Server (SMS) software from the group responsible for its Windows operating system to a recently formed storage products unit. The change is significant, say analysts. By separating the division from the Windows group, Microsoft is taking steps to ensure its three systems management software products fit better with businesses running other operating systems alongside Windows.
"What"s going on here, is the realization that Microsoft has made that (systems) management is not just an operating-system issue," said Peter Pawlak, an analyst with market researcher Directions on Microsoft.
With the change, announced Tuesday, Microsoft"s Management Business group will be called the Enterprise Management division. Division chief Kirill Tatarinov will now report to Bob Muglia, the executive in charge of Microsoft"s Enterprise Storage division, rather than to Windows head Brian Valentine.