Microsoft Canada Co. believes the IT market has reached a new era where the demand for rich interactive software solutions and technology are picking up speed.
To address this market shift, Microsoft announced its release of Expression Studio in Canada. This software suite includes a group of tools that include Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Design and Expression Media interfaces. All are tools that allow designers and developers to work together and collaborate with each other now more than ever before.
Rini Gahir, senior product manager, developer tools for Microsoft Canada, said it was only a matter of time before tools like this one began popping up.
“More interfaces are touching people now,” Gahir said. “Applications are everywhere,” he added.
When using Expression Web, users can create advanced designs for Web sites and page layouts. Expression Design is an illustration and graphic design tool for use on both the Web and desktop. Expression Blend is a tool for creating media-rich applications by incorporating things such as pixel images, video and high quality text. In addition, Expression Media is an asset management tool that enables users organize their digital assets.
In addition, Microsoft Expression Studio not only works on multiple browsers, but it also has cross-platform capabilities.
Furthermore, with a retail price of about $899 for the whole studio, customers will find this software extremely affordable. Additional features and upgrades can also be purchased separately from the suite at a price of $449 for Expression Web, Expression Blend or Expression Media.
Robert de Korte, vice-president of business development, Web professional services and general manager of the interactive practice at Momentum Advanced Solutions Inc., a solution provider and Microsoft partner, believes Expression Studio is a great tool and resource for businesses to use.
“Business is evolving and people want to touch and interact with the materials they’re using,” de Korte said.
“This is a powerful way that we can engage our customers,” he said.
Momentum was recently asked by SickKids Foundation of Toronto to help design a pilot kiosk for them using Expression Blend.
“Through the kiosk solution, overall user experiences will be enhanced,” de Korte said.
Dustin Sampson, senior interactive developer at Momentum, also said accessibility is a key issue when building Web sites. “The Expression Web application has the best cross-platform compatibilities built into it that I’ve ever seen. This feature, I can say with confidence, will sell itself.”