Business Software Releases & Update – December 2012

When you keep on top of new and updated business software, you can learn about ways to enhance your busi­ness by upgrading or adding to your technology solutions. Our coverage of the latest releases and updates in the world of business software includes products that can help you collaborate, create, and maintain security online. To help you zero in on what's new, here's our latest roundup of business software releases and updates.

Citrix ShareFile with storage zones

Citrix (www.citrix.com) continues to update its ShareFile offering and the company has added six new features to its ShareFile Enterprise solution, including support for Windows 8 as well as a version of the software specifically designed for Microsoft Azure. Most of the changes that come with the newest version of ShareFile are related to StorageZones. Citrix added customer- managed StorageZones, which are cloud-based options that can be located in one of seven locations depending on where your customers are based. This speeds up access to zones and helps avoid compliance issues, as well. Citrix also included StorageZone Connectors to create a secure connection between ShareFile and customer data, an MP X appliance for private data centers, and on-demand sync for virtual desktops environments.

Trend micro Worry-Free Business Security Services v5

Over the past eight years, Trend Micro has directly served small and medium-sized businesses with its Worry-Free Business Security Services software (www.trendmicro.com). In ad­dition to an overhauled appearance, the newest version of the product, v5, adds compatibility with Mac com­puters and mobile devices running iOS or Android. The new version also supports Win8 and Windows Server 2012 and integrates with the Windows Server 2012 Essentials console.

Trend Micro's Worry-Free Business Security Services v5 is designed to be flexible and provide more management tools for a variety of devices.

Trend Micro also added quite a few new features that will keep these dif­ferent platforms safe and secure. For one, the company changed the overall design of the software to be more in­tuitive and easier to use. The program also features Flexible Device Manage­ment and Enhanced Work Flows tools that are built to help companies secure and manage their devices as well as speed up the process of adding new devices to a company's infrastructure. Worry-Free Business Security Services v5 takes advantage of a Web-based console, so companies can not only access the software from any location, but also save crucial resources for oth­er solutions and applications.

LexisNexis redwood analytics planning software version 5.4

LexisNexis Legal & Professional (www.lexisnexis.com) offers a variety of solutions for multiple industries, but its Redwood Analytics Planning Software Version 5.4 is specifically de­signed with law firms in mind. The software includes quite a few updates, including improved data security that gives companies more control over their assets, better overall tracking for plans, and custom coding to help or­ganize and assign tasks to employees. Version 5.4 also features Redwood Business Intelligence 5.2 integra­tion, which lets you compare infor­mation aggregated from Redwood Analytics Planning with your billing system, company goals, and more. The software is designed to improve individual client and entire portfolio management and help the company avoid potential profit pitfalls.

Microsoft Windows 8

Microsoft's newest and much an­ticipated operating system, Windows 8, features a new Start screen with tiles similar to those used in the Windows Phone Metro design scheme. Tiles are key to accessing frequently used ap­plications and also provide quick links to news, weather, and anything else that interests you. Microsoft designed Win8 to be faster, easier to use, and more fluid than previous Windows versions. A more familiar Windows interface, however, is available with­in Win8 for businesses and others who prefer to do without the Metro- inspired interface.

Microsoft also updated its Internet Explorer software for better overall OS integration. Win8 is available in three separate versions: Windows RT, Win8, and Win8 Pro. Each option comes with its own unique features, but potential buyers should be aware that Windows RT won't run pro­grams from previous Windows op­erating systems, so most companies will need to choose between Win8 and Win8 Pro.

Microsoft Windows 8 adds a variety of new features and design choices that change the look and feel of the operating system. The new Start screen swaps traditional shortcut icons for application tiles similar to the Windows Phone Metro design scheme.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM online

Dynamics CRM Online users will be happy to know that Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) is releasing an update that adds new features and function­ality to the solution. For instance, Microsoft Dynamics CRM will now support the Firefox, Chrome, and Safari Web browsers, iOS devices, and Win8, with a Win8 Mobile Experience update coming in mid-2013. Microsoft has also added more features that im­prove the user experience, including user-specific interfaces depending on business processes. Dynamics CRM Online also features Yammer and Skype functionality for improved col­laboration and communication. And with more cloud extensibility pos­sibilities and compliance features, Microsoft Dynamics CRM is even more flexible and compatible than previous versions.

Software AG ARIS 9.0

With ARIS 9.0, Software AG (www.softwareag.com) is trying to improve the way companies approach their business processes by infusing them with social, mobile, cloud, and ana­lytics tools designed to help compa­nies flow from one task to the next. One specific tool is ARIS Connect, which lets employees use HTML5- based clients to communicate re­gardless of location and regardless of device (desktop, laptop, smart­phone, or tablet). And with the ad­dition of Advanced Analytics, ARIS 9.0 helps companies improve their business and processes through the use of statistics, modeling, and planning. ARIS 9.0 combines im­proved communication options and other tools to make your employees more productive, collaborative, and prepared.