Cloud computing is as big a transformation, and opportunity, as the technology industry has ever seen. Partners and customers can look to Microsoft for the most comprehensive cloud strategy and offerings, in order to improve their business agility, focus and economics. Today, at the Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft announced tools and solutions to help partners capitalize on the opportunities, as well as examples of partners and customers already finding success.

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The 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is kicking off today, and with over 12,000 attendees expected, it promises to be an exciting event. The Server and Cloud team at Microsoft has been working furiously over the last few months to make this a successful event for our partners. Over the next few days, our team will provide you regular updates about the announcements and events at WPC. As with all WPCs, there’s a lot going on at the event, so we’d like to highlight some locations and events that our core infrastructure partners will find useful.

• Breakout Sessions: You can find a complete list of the Server and Cloud breakout sessions here. Our sessions cover a variety of topics, ranging from the how the Private Cloud can help expand your business, to a preview of the benefits that the upcoming System Center 2012 release can bring to your infrastructure practice. Each session will have partner speakers featured as well, so be sure to add these sessions to your schedule builder!
• Private Cloud and Platform Servers Booth: Please visit our booth (#1221) in the Solutions Innovation Center. In addition to demos of our latest products, you will find some really exciting offerings there:
  • In partnership with Microsoft, Global Knowledge (2011 Learning Partner of the Year) is offering partners who visit our booth a discount of at least 20% off the list price on qualifying Microsoft Virtualization and Systems Center courses across the world.
  • In partnership with Dell and HP, we shall be running live Private Clouds in our booth. Come see a real private cloud in action!
  • Happy Hour with Server and Tools Execs: Join us at the Server and Tools Lounge (located at LACC West near the entrance close to Staples Center) on Monday, July 11^th from 4:30-6:30.
  • Programs and offers: At WPC, we will be announcing a number of new programs for our partners – be sure to ask our team at the Private Cloud booth about:
    • Private Cloud, Management and Virtualization DPS Program (PVDPS) - click here to find out more
    • Changes to our Management and Virtualization Solution Incentive Program (SIP)
    • The Cloud Assessment Tool
    • The MPN Private Cloud Sales Specialist program

Stay up to date with the latest Server and Cloud information! Follow us on twitter (@MSServerCloud) on our blog (http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud) and “Like” us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Server.Cloud) to get access to WPC 2011 previews. And don’t forget tag your own twitter messages with #hyperv and #WPC11

Please remember that this is your event, and we want to hear from you! Please let us know what you liked, and didn’t like, at WPC 2011.We’ll be back over the next few days with many more updates for you.

Varun Chhabra

Partner Marketing, Windows Server and Management Business Group

Everyone is talking about the Cloud. At next week’s Worldwide Partner Conference, you and 12,000 other partners will be encouraged to take the cloud conversation to the next level from traditional virtualization to cloud-based computing.  As your customer’s trusted advisor, you will best be able to propose solutions when you understand opportunities around private clouds and public clouds.

At WPC 2011, you’ll learn about our Hyper-V based Private Clouds and Windows Azure-based Public Clouds that can be managed by System Center 2012.  Most importantly, you’ll learn how Microsoft can help you ramp up on cloud technologies, generate new revenue streams, and ultimately take your Infrastructure practice to the next level.  

We look forward to seeing you at WPC. Please read on for more event-specific information.

Cheers,

Kevin McCuistion

Director of Partner Marketing, Server and Tools Business

Take Advantage of the Microsoft Virtualization and System Center offer from Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge, 2011 Microsoft Learning Competency Partner of the Year, is offering partners who visit our booth a discount of at least 20% off the list price on qualifying Microsoft Virtualization and Systems Center courses. Make sure to come to our Microsoft Private Cloud and Server Platforms booth #1221 in the Solutions Innovation Center to learn more!

Don’t miss our sessions led by our executives on Tuesday, July 12th.

 Call to Action

• Sign up for Server and Cloud sessions today!
• Visit the Private Cloud and Platform Servers booth (#1221) in the Solution Innovation Center to take advantage of our readiness offer, and to see a Private Cloud solution from HP and Dell in action!
• Join us in the Server and Tools Lounge (located at the entrance to LACC West) for Happy Hour with Top Server and Tools Executives on Monday, July 11th from 4:30 – 5:30pm
• Stay up to date with the latest Server and Cloud information! Follow us on twitter (@MSServerCloud) on our blog (http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud) and “Like” us on Facebook (Facebook.com/Server.Cloud) to get access to WPC 2011 previews. And don’t forget tag your own twitter messages with #hyperv and #WPC11.