REDMOND, Wash., Whether they're working at their company headquarters or from a hotel room, many business employees count on being connected to the right software and information to perform their jobs. But as people change locations within a company or work from remote locations, keeping them plugged into the information technology network is an ongoing challenge for many businesses' information technology staffs. Microsoft is targeting these and a host of other management challenges with the next version of its Systems Management Server product and a new application, Microsoft Operations Manager, that complement each other in helping companies administer their technology environments more efficiently. Today, Microsoft announced the products' features and availability for initial beta testing within the next several months. The new edition of Systems Management Server -- code-named Topaz -- includes enhanced support for mobile users as well as tight integration with Active Directory capabilities in Windows 2000. The product focuses on change and configuration management processes such as distributing, updating, repairing and removing computer systems. Microsoft Operations Manager, based on technology licensed from partner NetIQ, works side-by-side with Systems Management Server to monitor the performance and availability of networked systems ranging from Windows 2000 Server to the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server line of applications. Microsoft Operations Manager is scheduled for beta testing in the first quarter of this year, and Topaz will be released for initial beta testing in the second half of the year. General release dates for both products will based on beta testers' feedback. "These products represent important next steps in a comprehensive roadmap for systems management that Microsoft unveiled last October," said David Hamilton, group product manager of the Microsoft Management Technologies Group. "Using our customers' insights and expectations as a compass, Microsoft is rapidly advancing its management solutions vision with products and services that help ensure worry-free administration of Windows servers, desktops and applications."