Microsoft Takes Another Step Toward Openness But Still Incurs Record Fine

This IDC Insight analyzes Microsoft's announcement of changes it is making to its technology and business practices designed to increase the openness of its products and drive greater interoperability. On February 21, 2008, Microsoft announced it was implementing four new interoperability principles and corresponding actions across its high-volume business products ? Windows Vista (including the .NET framework), Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Office 2007, Exchange Server 2007, and Office SharePoint Server 2007 (as well as future versions). The interoperability principles are intended to promote connectivity to Microsoft products from non-Microsoft products, promote data portability, expand the use of industry standards, and foster more engagement with the open source developer community.