The Deployment Guys are several people from Microsoft Consulting Services who focus on Windows deployment. We decided to create this blog to share some of our experiences and solutions with a larger audience than our normal consulting engagements allow. However, this is not an official Microsoft consulting or support forum. We do this in our spare time and cannot necessarily answer every question or assist with every issue.
You may be wondering - exactly who is in the crack Deployment Guys and how do I find out more about these special individuals - fear not - for here is the current guide to the Deployment Guys team:
Ben Hunter
Infrastructure Architect – Microsoft Consulting Services
Seattle – USA
I focus on engagements around Windows Client and Windows Server design and deployment, with a dash of Virtualization on the side. I work closely with other consultants and the Redmond-based teams to develop deployment best practices. I also speak frequently at both TechEd and Microsoft Deployment related events.
Unlike Richard Smith I don’t have any spare time :-( Between working for Microsoft and two young children my days are full.
Richard Smith
Senior Consultant – Microsoft Consulting Services
Birmingham – United Kingdom
I have worked in the IT industry for over 20 years, and I enjoy working within a cross-sector environment at Microsoft. I deliver engagements around Windows Client and Windows Server design and deployment, but have previously delivered consultancy services in Windows Server Infrastructure, Active Directory design, Exchange and SharePoint Portal Server. I speak frequently at both TechEd and Microsoft Deployment related events.
In my spare time (not that I have much of that :-) I enjoy writing and producing musical theatre, digital photography, music and video production and anything to do with using technology for creative means.
Samesh Singh
Principle Consultant– Microsoft Consulting Services
Canberra - Australia
I’m a computer engineer by qualification, but a geek by trade. I specialise in core infrastructure space, with a focus on client and server deployment. Recently I’ve moved countries to work with my customer, so my spare time is spent exploring Malaysia and shortly the rest of S.E Asia with my family.
Daniel Oxley
Consultant – Microsoft Consulting Services
Madrid - Spain
I have been breaking and then fixing computers since I was 8, and doing it professionally since I was 18. Working at Microsoft is good fun, especially in such a talented team as the one I am in as I get to learn something new every single day.
I deliver projects on a broad range of areas, but my specialties are in the deployment of Windows XP/Vista, Active Directory/Group Policy, and scripting.
Although I live in Spain, I am in fact British. I have been living in Madrid since 2004 and absolutely love it; I think it must be the combination of almost year-round sunny days, great food and cold beer! In my spare time I enjoy watching a good film, seeing new sights in Spain, a good lunch on a terrace in the sun, or having a nice peaceful siesta in the shade.
Michael Murgolo
New Jersey – USA
I focus on operating systems, deployment, network services, Active Directory, systems management, automation, and patch management. Most of my recent engagements have been in the area of OS deployment and migration. I have worked in the IT industry for over 11 years. In my previous life I worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the areas of product development and machine/tooling design.
I moonlight periodically as a Contributing Editor (authoring and reviewing articles) for TechNet Magazine.
In my spare time I enjoy anything having to do with the accurate reproduction of audio and video for music listening and home theater. Always calibrate your equipment and use matched loudspeakers for all channels!
Aly Shivji
Architect – Microsoft Consulting Services
New York City – USA
I focus on automation of large scale Windows Server and Client deployments in various industries. I have a degree in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. I have been working in IT\Engineering for 5 years as a technical trainer, automation engineeer and a Consultant.
In my borrowed spare time, I like to play soccer and write. Although, I work in New York City, I am Canadian and watch hockey religiously.
I focus on operating systems, deployment, network services, systems management, automation, and patch management. Most of my recent engagements have been in the area of OS deployment and migration. I have worked in the IT industry for over 29 years. I started out working on compilers for minicomputers.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and studying history.