Ask IW UK Blog

Our Office Live learning path has just been published!  This outlines the training available to build applications or other solution for the Office Live platform.

It also includes links to the community pages, our Partner-TV demo etc.

Visit http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/learningpaths/?id=microsoftofficetechnical.live for more information.

If you an ISV finding it difficult to find development resource in the UK and/or are thinking about outsourcing to India or elsewhere, have a look at Claire's posting about the Trade Mission to SE Asia.

UKTI will subsidise this trip (100%) for some companies as spokespeople and the Regional Development Agencies will provide grants to the remaining delegates. Our partners and Microsoft in the region will be providing substantial support on the ground so your costs are minimised.

http://blogs.msdn.com/armadillo/archive/2007/04/15/sign-up-for-the-trade-mission-to-se-asia.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/apr07/04-15IMMPR.mspx

This exciting announcement is about Interactive Media Manager – a SharePoint based application that also integrates with Sivlerlight...

Interactive Media Manager includes components of existing Microsoft solutions such as Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, InfoPath^® XML forms and the newly announced Microsoft Silverlight™, previously called Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere (WPF/E). Building on the capabilities of Office SharePoint Server 2007, Interactive Media Manager provides the following customizable Web parts that target specific processes within the content production life cycle:

• Media Library serves as a front end in which media content items in the digital asset management system are displayed as thumbnails.

• Media Viewer displays information such as annotations and time codes in Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers format and offers sophisticated, built-in playback controls.

• Media Annotator allows groups of people to collaborate on media assets through video annotations, digital inking and discussions.

• Media Import facilitates the upload of media files and automatically launches associated workflows, such as information-gathering processes.

• Media Cart provides an individualized area for storing media assets that people want to edit themselves or push out to appropriate editors.

We’ve launched a new Vista and Office 2007 Deployment Web site run by a bunch of experts here in the UK from both Microsoft and our Partner community.  www.desktopdeployment.co.uk

To see some of the tools available (like an application compatibility toolkit and a Vista hardware assessment tool) head over to Partner-TV to see Adam Shepherd and Richard Smith from our consulting division give a demo.

http://blogs.msdn.com/ptstv/archive/2007/04/03/partner-tv-adam-shepherd-and-richard-smith-on-deployment.aspx

If you believe that Open XML file formats should be an ISO standard and are the future in helping integrating front and back end processes, please sign this petition.

There's plenty of information on the site to help you make your mind up and plenty of strong views on the web for some light background reading.

I like this bit in Nick's letter, highlighting Ecma's heritage:

Microsoft and others called for the standardisation of Open XML. On 7 Dec 2006 Ecma International, a highly respected standardisation body, approved the adoption of Open XML as an international open standard. 

The strengths of Ecma Open XML are clear:

• Ecma Open XML was developed through the collaborative efforts of leading companies such as Apple, Barclays Capital, BP, The British Library, Essilor, Intel, Microsoft, NextPage, Novell, Statoil, Toshiba and the US Library of Congress.

• Ecma Open XML is backward compatible with billions of archived documents held by the private and public sectors.

• Any company can freely implement and develop innovative products using Ecma Open XML

• Ecma Open XML enables interoperability, accommodates multiple languages and cultures, and supports technologies that enable people with disabilities to use computing devices.

Thanks.

http://www.microsoft.co.uk/openxml/

Download the Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 Public Beta today:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/ocs/default.mspx

Office Communications Server 2007, the next evolution of Live Communications Server, delivers streamlined communications for your users so they can find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most—like Microsoft Outlook. And when you download the beta software, you're automatically registered to access valuable beta resources assembled in one convenient Beta Central location.

Please review Office Communications Server 2007 system requirements before you proceed. Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration.

The new Groove portal on MSDN is live at  http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/bb308957.aspx

This is the home for developers who want to learn more about Groove and how to develop solutions on the Groove platform.  The site also links to relevant content on TechNet and Office Online, providing easy access to those materials.  This enables developers new to Groove to build a solid foundation of knowledge before taking Groove deployments to the next level by building a custom solution.

Groove 2007 content in our pipeline for release on MSDN in the coming weeks and months includes:

Whitepapers

· Groove Technical Architecture

· Decision criteria to select Groove Forms versus Groove InfoPath Forms

· Guide to using the Groove Web Helpers

· Design and performance considerations when building Groove forms-based solutions

· Groove and Windows Workflow Foundation

Solutions

· Provisioning Groove workspaces from a MOSS/WSS site

· Synchronizing Groove InfoPath forms data with a MOSS/WSS site

Documentation

· Online version in MSDN library of Groove 2007 SDK documentation (in addition to download available today)

· Developer documentation for the forthcoming Groove tool templates

Community

· Forum/newsgroup(s) so developers and partners can connect with one another, discuss issues, and exchange feedback

** Additional ideas and content requests are most welcome **

Other Pages That Link to the Groove MSDN Portal:

· MSDN ODC Home Page                                 http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/default.aspx  (See Right Nav bar)

· MSDN Programs Landing page                   http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905399.aspx

· MSDN Servers Landing page                       http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905498.aspx

· MSDN Getting Started: Site Map              http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905370.aspx

It's not quite live yet, but...

If you would like your friends and family to experience the 'WOW' of the new Microsoft Office and Windows Vista (ie. buy it cheap)... DABS is offering a special price to Microsoft Partners' friends and family.

*Please note: These products are not discounted. The products on offer are legitimate software applications for home use only. Prices may change at any time and there is no guarantee of availability. This promotion runs until 30 June 2007.

There’s more information and details on how to order at https://partner.microsoft.com/uk/40037033 (login required).

Selling, Implementing and Configuring Enterprise Project Management (Project Server 2007)https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search.aspx?ssid=B127DC8F77E443AB9626CD47D0CB8AA0

Exchange Server 2007 Ignite Technical Training Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=FB5913D4E33A4571BB2BA62757626519

2007 Microsoft Office System Core Training:
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=C2383DDBA92142469685F3310F4D3D55

2007 Microsoft Office System ECM and Forms Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=90D6755BE53744ADB09BD1B48836D76A

2007 Microsoft Office System Performance Management Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=6A3C6BAB71B449F1B1581FC54E8F9BFA

2007 Microsoft Office System Portals and Collaboration Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=E84FC4254C5A476C888DD8525C3BAB02

2007 Microsoft Office System Unified Communication Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=8D23C3E9907C45B999CAC86F052463EF

2007 Microsoft Office System Enterprise Search Workshop: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=67DF80AA90D1456F93795CE93D18A31C

Business Intelligence Bootcamp Announced!
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/noauth.aspx?site=global&lang=en&redirect=false

Jeff Raikes Pre-Announces OCS 2007 Public Beta at VoiceCon (March 7, 2007)

In the keynote address at VoiceCon Spring 2007, Jeff Raikes (our President of the Microsoft Business Division) announced the imminent release of Office Communications Server 2007 public beta and outlined Microsoft's move to unify communications through software while eliminating VoIP barriers with enhanced VoIP solutions.

What does that mean?  Well, Jeff has some cool quotes and statistics that really frame the opportunity for the future... I like these three:

"Microsoft announced that for the first time it is making the interoperability specifications for Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 available to partners, enabling them to deliver a unified experience with Session Initiation Protocol interoperability between their PBX and Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007. As a result, customers can avoid the costs of ripping and replacing their existing telephony system. They can also gain productivity benefits from less complexity and better management of their telephony systems", Raikes said.

“We’re embarking on a software transformation similar to what we saw from the mainframe to the PC,” Raikes said. “With a shift of this magnitude, there will be tremendous opportunities for our industry partners worldwide.”

“Software is set to transform business phone systems as profoundly as it has transformed virtually every other form of workplace communication,” Raikes said. “Over time, the software-based VoIP technology built into Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator will offer so much value and cost savings that it will make the standard telephone look like that old typewriter that’s gathering dust in the stockroom.”

For more information, check out the video, register for the beta and subscribe to the blog:

• Watch the video
• Read the press release
• Pre-register for the beta
• OCS Public Beta Pre-announce Blog

Microsoft Office Live on the .NET Show!

What is Office Live again?

Our new internet service called “Office Live”, which allows small businesses to easily create both a web presence, as well as a SharePoint Services enabled portal to assist them with managing their business and operations.

What's the video about? 

The .NET Show hosts Rajesh Jha, Corporate Vice President for Office Live, and Tara Brown, lead program manager for Office Live, to talk about how this new service empowers small business.

Also click here to  check out our Office Live videos on Partner-TV.

New Desktop Deployment Planning Services Readiness (BDD v3) Workshop for partners have been announced.

• Duration: 4 days
• Cost: £400
• First date scheduled: 27th March 2007
• Visit here to enrol, or partners may search for course ID 44wk004 with the Partner Learning Centre.
• If partners have any issues enrolling, please call the UK Partner Learning Centre Support number 0870 8509442 or email ukplc@microsoft.com.

Technologies & Products used during the course:

• User State Migration Tool 3.0
• Windows Vista Deployment tools
  • WinPE
  • System Image Manager
  • Windows AIK
  • ImageX
• Business Desktop Solution Accelerator (BDD) 2007
• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0
  • Inventory Collector
  • Standard User Analyzer
  • Internet Explorer Test Tool
  • Setup Analysis Tool
  • Compatibility Administrator
  • Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
• Office 2007 System
  • ORK
  • Office 2007 Multi Language Packs
  • Office Customization Tool (OCT v1)
• Windows Deployment Service (WDS)
• Windows Vista
  • Language Packs
  • Patches
  • Unattended Installation
  • Imaging
  • Customisation methods
• SQL 2000 / 2005
• MOM2005  / SCOM2007
• SMS 2003 and OS Deployment Feature Pack
• Softgrid
• Sharepoint
• BizTalk

The course overview is attached and available within the Partner Learning Centre:

• 27 March 2007 for 4 days in London: 44WK004 - Desktop Deployment Planning Services (BDD)
• 30 April 2007 for 4 days in London: 44WK004 - Desktop Deployment Planning Services (BDD)
• 11 June 2007 for 4 days in London: 44WK004 - Desktop Deployment Planning Services (BDD)
• 25 June 2007 for 4 days in London: 44WK004 - Desktop Deployment Planning Services (BDD)

To find all of the events in the Partner Learning Centre please click here : https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=0a0749fb-2ebc-4a2e-a327-43ee90912af7&isMetaTagRefreshed=true

This link to enrol can then be used, or partners can search on the course ID 44wk004 (see below)  If you have any issues enrolling, please call the UK Partner Learning Centre Support number 0870 8509442 or ukplc@microsoft.com.

Tim Kimber showed me an excellent mind map yesterday, written by Don Campbell from the Developer Platform Evangelism team in the US.  It helps visualise all the pieces that make up Office Live from the technology itself to the dev guide and forums and blogs that support it.

It may just open your eyes  to some new possibilities about how to hook up the pieces in the Office Live ecosystem.

As Don intends to keep this mindmap current, please feedback via comments on his blog.

Don't forget if you want a non-technical view on "What is Office Live?", head over to Partner-TV now, where I interview Tim Kimber, the UK Office Live programme manager.

We've had some good feedback from Partners who attended the Microsoft European SharePoint Conference in Berlin.  Read Lawrence's write up here: http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2007/02/16/sharepoint-and-the-king.aspx

Other SharePoint events to look our for include:

• Asia Pacific SharePoint Conference in Sydney, Australia in early May 2007. More information about the conference will be posted soon on Lawrence's blog
• The next SharePoint Conference in the United States is scheduled for 3-7 March 2008 at the Seattle Convention Center.
• SharePoint Connections Conference (not Microsoft hosted, but we will be a sponsor) being held on 25-28 March in Orlando, FL or the Microsoft TechEd Conference on 4-8 June in Orlando, FL as well. Both conferences will have plenty of SharePoint oriented sessions and content.

Later this year, we will have a new Unified Communications Specialisation, as part of the Information Worker Competency.

What is it?

Early Start is for partners who are interested in joining the Unified Communications Specialization within the Information Worker (IW) Competency of the Microsoft Partner Programne. Partners will receive a monthly newsletter specific to UC with the inside scoop on special offers, information on training resources, and more.

Why should partners care about joining the UC Specialisation?

• Partner to Partner: It is the best way to connect with other MS partners.
• Customer to Partner: It provides tools that allow customers to find your company among the thousands of others out there.
• Microsoft to Partner: It will be a key way for MS to objectively identify key UC partners for event participation, training offerings, case studies, etc.

ACTION:

• Sign up for the Early Start initiative.
• Learn more about the upcoming UC Specialisation and the Microsoft Partner Programme.