Microsoft Messenger Connect, Configuration Manager 2007 R3 no longer in beta

What do Microsoft Messenger Connect and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3 have in common? Not a whole lot, other than the fact that as of October 14, both are no longer in beta and are available in final form.

Messenger Connect is a set of programming interfaces and controls usable by developers who want to connect their sites and applications to Windows Live. Integration via Messenger Connect enables applications to publish to Microsoft's activity streams, access social networks, store and share photoes via SkyDrive and more. Connect bundles together into a single API (application programming interface) the APIs for Windows Live ID, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live Messenger.

According to Microsoft, Messenger Connect was beta tested by 2,500-plus people. The final version is available for download as of October 14.

On the other side of the Microsoft product world, Configuration Manager 2007 R3 is the latest update to Microsoft's Configuarion Manager system-management product. Some customers have been expecting the final code to arrive since Q2 2010, which sounds like the original planned target ship date.

R3 includes a set of power management tools, scalability and performance updates, and new mobile device-management tools. The power management tools work on Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. From a device-management standpoint, "customers may use downgrade rights to use Mobile Device Manager with Configuration Manager R3 licenses," according to the R3 fact sheet.

According to a new post on the STB Bytes blog, "Just like Configuration Manager R2, R3 will be the foundation for the upcoming Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010" client security product which is due to be released later this year.

Microsoft plans to make an evaluation version of the final R3 release available for download later today, the STB Bytes blog post said.