News
MS Commerce Server 2006 Enters Beta Test
The latest release of Microsoft's full-on e-commerce package has begun
beta testing, the company said this week. Microsoft Commerce Server 2006 is
currently targeted for final release in July.
Commerce Server 2006 aims to lower the technical barriers to entry for customers
wanting to deploy e-commerce sites by simplifying their design and deployment.
For instance, the new version will have the ability to link e-commerce sites
to existing line-of-business applications, as well as partners, via integration
with Microsoft's BizTalk Server 2006 and the array of adapters available
for BizTalk from vendors like SAP and Oracle.
Commerce Server 2006 will also come with a starter site preconfigured and ready
to deploy. The starter site is designed to provide a blueprint for building
core e-commerce applications, including catalog browsing, searching, shopping
cart and check out functions, profile management and personalization. The starter
site will also include multilingual and multicurrency support so that customers
can create a global presence.
Additionally, Commerce Server 2006 will add improved integration with Web services
technologies including ASP.NET 2.0, according to company statements. The new
version will feature new business user tools as well, such as Customer and Order
Manager, Catalog Manager, Marketing Manager, and Reports and Analytics. Customers
will also be able to customize and expand reports using SQL Server Reporting
Services.
Microsoft has not announced pricing for Commerce Server 2006 yet. Parties interested
in participating in the beta test can sign up here.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.