REDMOND, Wa. - Microsoft thinks it has found the right price for its enterprise search tool: free. Starting next year, the company plans to give away a new product, dubbed Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express, which enables workers to see a collection of search results spanning databases, internal computer systems, and the Internet. In addition
LANSING - While lawmakers and outside influences have put on a major push to repeal or at least delay the new sales tax on services before its scheduled December 1 launch, officials with the Department of Treasury are telling businesses to be ready for the tax to take effect on December 1. So much opposition
DETROIT -- United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger and his lieutenants will meet Monday afternoon with local union leaders trying to build support for a tentative contract reached with Ford Motor Co. over the weekend. The agreement, which is regarded as a landmark concessionary deal that will help the company better compete against Asia-based rivals,
LANSING - By the end of this week, it is possible that a bill repealing Michigan's new sales tax on services will have passed one house, but how much progress will be made to replacing the tax is less certain. Some sources said more interest is coalescing around the proposal to create a surcharge for
GRAND RAPIDS ? David Brenner, former chairman of the Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest, has been appointed director of a new technology incubator under development by the University of Notre Dame, the City of South Bend and Project Future, the regional economic development organization. Brenner currently is founder and managing partner of IdeaWorks, a start-up incubator/accelerator
LANSING - A month before it is scheduled to take effect, the Michigan Senate Thursday passed a bill to postpone the business services tax, while a petition e drive to repeal the measure was announced. SB 845 passed the Senate on a 22-12 vote, with Sen. Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) and Sen. James Barcia (D-Bay City)
LANSING ? Michigan legislators wacked some $433 million from the new budget, yet most of the bills sent to the governor's desk contain more general fund spending than the budgets replaced. That said, some budgets, such as higher education and community colleges, will see more general fund monies in their this budget year than last
LANSING - The 2007-08 Michigan budget completed in the early hours of Wednesday "took a big bite" out of the state's structural deficit problems, Gov. Jennifer Granholm told reporters at an afternoon press conference. She said the agreement, which sliced her original recommendations by some $433 million, allows the state to move forward on other
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ca. - Google Inc. is close to unveiling its long-planned strategy to shake up the wireless market, people familiar with the matter say. The Web giant's ambitious goal: to make applications and services as accessible on cell phones as they are on the Internet. In a move likely to kick off an intense
MOUNT PLEASANT - A new venture between Central Michigan University and the world's leading technology provider to the fashion industry will bring lots of benefits to CMU's apparel merchandising and design program. Representatives from Lectra visited CMU for the signing of an agreement that offers technology and opportunities for students and faculty, while formalizing a