IT pros can review Windows Server

Pacific Northwest

Corporate IT professionals can now download a test version of Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Server, a major product in the company's next big wave of releases.

On Wednesday evening, Microsoft made available the "Beta 3" test version of the software that powers server computers behind corporate networks and databases. This is the first time code for the software, code-named "Longhorn," is available publicly.

"This will go to hundreds of thousands of users," said Bob Visse, senior director of Windows Server. The company wants IT pros to evaluate the software so it can make improvements to the final product, on track for release in the latter half of this year, Visse said.

He said the software includes improvements in security, manageability and reliability.

Symetra Financial

Plans to acquire MRM announced

Bellevue-based Symetra Financial said Wednesday it plans to buy Medical Risk Managers (MRM) of South Windsor, Conn., for an undisclosed amount.

MRM specializes in medical stop-loss coverage, which helps protect employers that self-insure their group health plans against large, potentially catastrophic claims. MRM will remain in Connecticut as a wholly owned subsidiary of Symetra.

The acquisition, Symetra's first since becoming an independent company, is expected to be final by the end of June.

Symetra, which provides employee benefits, retirement plans, annuities and life insurance, is owned by an investor group that includes Berkshire Hathaway, which bought the company from Seattle-based Safeco in 2004.

K2

$1.2 billion paid by Jarden for K2

Jarden, of Rye, N.Y., agreed to pay $1.2 billion for the California sporting-goods company K2, which sells Rawlings baseball hats, Penn tennis balls and its namesake skis.

Officials said no changes are expected at K2's Seattle operations — K2 Sports, which makes skis, snowboards and other equipment, and the apparel company Ex Officio.

The purchase makes Jarden the world's third-largest maker of sporting goods, said William Chappell, an analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphreys. Jarden makes Coleman camping gear and Stern fishing line as well as Mr. Coffee brewers and Crock-Pots.

Compiled from Seattle Times business staff and Bloomberg News