In Barcelona it was already announced but today I can share that beta 1 of OpsMgr R2 is released! It is available at Microsoft Connect!

So what's new and improved in R2:

- Extends end to end monitoring of distributed applications to any workload running on Windows, Unix and Linux platforms.

- Maximize availability of virtual workloads with integration with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008.

- Improved management of applications in the data center . Delivers on the scale requirements of URL monitoring of your business.

- Meet agreed service levels with enhanced reporting showing application performance and availability.

- More efficient problem identification and action to resolve issues.

- Increased speed of access to information and functionality to drive management . Faster load times for views and results.

- Improved and simplified management pack authoring experience The Operations Manager 2007 R2 beta integrates the functionality delivered
within the Cross Platform Extensions Beta. New betas of the Interoperability Connectors will available shortly through the Operations Manager R2 Connect program.