Can I offer IT as a Service? Virtualization offers many benefits; it’s the technological change in our industry that underpins the Cloud Computing wave. With Virtualization, you can reduce the number of physical servers you own and maintain, reduce energy...

In the previous posts we discussed the path to deploying Windows 7 , including application compatibility and image creation. In this post we’ll discuss the methods for deploying Windows 7 to clients. First, let me explain the terms and tools you may have...

Files are tricky things. They are very good at hiding within the file system. Well that’s how it seems to me. If I’m honest, the file does hide really, I just forget or confuse the one I’m looking for with another one. Usually the name, so I end up starting...

In the previous post we looked at the key information and first steps required to perform a successful deployment of Windows 7, and we looked in some detail at one of the main concerns organizations have when deploying a new OS; application compatibility...

A successful deployment of a desktop operating system begins long before the first client machines are touched. The collection of information about your client machines forms the basis for creating a successful deployment plan. In this first of three...

In this post I’ll carry on from part 1 and cover the configuration side of the System Center products to deliver Private Cloud type functionality. Where should you be after Part 1? So a quick recap from part 1, you should have Windows Server 2008 R2 installed...

In this first post on Cloud Computing, I’ll cover Microsoft’s Cloud offerings; I’ll also discuss some of the cloud computing terms you may have heard about, as well as cover briefly what good cloud apps are. In the following two posts I’ll cover the Windows...

In the previous post we started our look at how Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager 2010 (FIM), a component of Microsoft’s Identity & Access Management solution, enables IT Administrators to centrally manage identity and access. The post specifically...

One of the biggest challenges an IT Department can face comes when identities need to cross company boundaries. When your organization enters a relationship with another organization and anyone from one sides need access to resources on the other side...

I’m a bookworm, I’ll admit that upfront now. I like the printed word.When I had my office in Redmond I had so many books on shelves it allegedly kept my room temperature a couple of degrees higher than those offices around me. So we are talking quite...

Recently I had an article published on TechNet Magazine Online in which I cover how SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services and SharePoint 2010 integrate. The article covers the architecture, configuration and improvements in this integration. Read the...

The increasing use of virtual machines—for purposes ranging from support of older operating system environments, power savings through to the deployment of Private Clouds—has created new challenges for IT. In particular, virtual machines may be left offline...

The looming question for IT Pro’s regarding the cloud is “What is the future for my role?” Simply put, no one can say for sure. There are many factors to consider when answering that question. The cloud offerings are not identical, which affects the answer...

Getting up to speed on the latest Microsoft operating systems can be a challenge, lots to wade through and so little time. To help you, TechNet has put together a series of webcasts on Windows Server 2008 R2 to bring you the important information. This...

I came across this the other day. A perfectly good working machine running Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. PowerPoint then started to fail when closing down. The event log showed the failure to be in MSO.DLL. This was the latest version for Office 2007...

There is a fix for this worm, the details are on our security site at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx Please read the above bulletin for the full details, the patches to prevent this worm are on that page.

Just in time for the release of Windows 7, the TechNet Windows 7 video content has now been posted. There are 10 session to choose from in 4 different media formats, plus a web page with lots more links and resources to help you get a head start with...

So here is something I found out the other day about the Sidebar and the Gadgets. You can drag the Gadget from the SlideBar and onto the desktop and thus minimise the Sidebar all together. It’s as simple as that. So now I’ve got the 3 clocks for the 3...

The two most important assets in an organization are its people and its information. Organizations that can connect the two seamlessly empower their employees to make the best decisions. IT Departments are challenged with the task of making this connection...

In the previous post we looked at how SharePoint can help improve collaboration within an organization. In this post we will look with more detail at the capabilities in SharePoint that make it more than just a web front end to a file share. As discussed...

For some time now I’ve been mentioning this great book I reviewed on Windows Server 2008, well the good news is that it is finally out. So here is the official introduction to “ The Complete guide to Windows Server 2008 ”. This book does exactly what...

The company’s resident IT professional extraordinaire has just returned from a much-deserved vacation but, in a temporary spell of relaxed judgment, has jeopardized their reputation with a poorly placed email and forwarded personal holiday snaps to the...

The question posed in the first part of this series was “Is the cost of ownership of your Microsoft client systems rising?" Are you looking for ways to reduce the costs associated with deploying Windows and managing it thereafter? “ There are two...

In this post we will explore the Windows Azure Platform in more detail. After reading it you'll have an understanding of the components that make up the platform, what functions they perform as well as an idea of what applications are good candidates...

All organizations need to manage identities, credentials, and resources. Some lucky organizations only have to deal with one directory, but most have to deal with multiple directory trees and application-specific identity sources. The IT department in...