Microsoft unveiled a new Windows PowerShell command-line and scripting engine and updated plans for the next two versions of Windows Server at the IT Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

During the high-tech conference, the Redmond, Wash., software giant spotlighted several new and enhanced products designed to improve the management, security and automation of Windows data centers. Most of products won't ship until next year.

The long-awaited PowerShell command line shell and scripting language are aimed at easing system administration and automation tasks across various Windows platforms, including Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and the next-generation Windows Server, code-named Longhorn. PowerShell is built into Longhorn and can be used to automate the server software's new Server Manager.

CRN.Com