Microsoft offers anti-virus solution for businesses

Microsoft has released the first solution from its Forefront product line onto the US market. The anti-virus products are intended for business use. The currently available components are called Forefront Client Security and System Center Essentials 2007.

System Center is intended to enable IT managers in SMEs to centrally manage business servers and client computers. Client Security offers protection from malware such as viruses, trojans, spyware and rootkits on client computers, laptops and servers.

In announcing the availability of this new software, although Microsoft does give prices, these are for the US market only. A single-user license for Forefront Client Security starts at 12.72 US$ per year, whilst the management console will cost 2468 US$. System Center Essentials is promised for volume and retail release in July at an estimated price of 2000 US$.

In the UK, Forefront has been available in beta since November 2006 via the vendor's US web site, however no final, localised product is yet available.

The Forefront product line follows on from the Antigen range. The first Forefront products for Exchange Server and SharePoint are already available and are derived from the products which Microsoft added to its portfolio through its acquisition of Sybari in mid 2005.

See also:

• Microsoft Extends Security and Management Product Lines with Launch of Forefront Client Security and System Center Essentials 2007, launch announcement from Microsoft
• Forefront homepage from Microsoft

(mba)