Microsoft's R2 Releases Hit the Same Day as Windows 8.1

In Microsoft Announces Exact Date and Time for October Release of Windows 8.1, we just posted the announcement for the date and time when Windows 8.1 will start rolling out to the public. But, just moments ago Microsoft also announced that the R2 releases for System Center 2012 and Windows Server 2012 will be available on the same day (October 18th ). Windows Intune will also get a major update.

I encourage you to keep learning about the 2012 R2 releases via the “What’s New in 2012 R2” series on Brad Anderson's blog. You can also get a jump start on the R2 releases by downloading the preview bits if you haven’t already done it.

It's not a coincidence that all of these releases will be available on the same day. This is evidence of Microsoft's intent to provide updates for all products at once, and the fact that all products are now more closely aligned and deeply integrated.  This is really the first test for Microsoft's new accelerated release schedule. But, more interesting than the "new" Microsoft is how customers will be able to adapt to faster product cycles. With at least 2 major product releases per year, IT will barely be able to keep up.

To help understand what R2 and Windows 8.1 bring to your organization, you should consider attending the IT/Dev Connections conference at the end of September. There will be many opportunities to hear and learn about the new product features, along with digging deep into the technologies you are currently using.

Register here: IT/Dev Connections Registration

And, if you need more information on what IT/Dev Connections has to offer, give me a few brief moments of your time: