The Microsoft TechNet Australia Blog

TechEd Australia 2013: Call for Topics is Live!

Katie Macintosh — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:01:37 GMT

In case you haven't seen the announcement on Jeff Alexander's blog we are thrilled to announce that the Call for Topics is now open for TechEd Australia 2013!

TechEd Australia 2013 will be held 3-6 September 2013 on the Gold Coast. Great content is what makes TechEd possible. Last year was a huge launch year so we focused mainly on all the new products such as Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. This year it’s about getting those products deployed and developing great apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. With this in mind we are focusing on 2 broad themes:

Developing Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps
Deployment of Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 SP1, Windows 8 and Office 2013

TechEd Australia 2013 will focus on nine tracks:

Architecture and trustworthy Computing
Windows Azure Application Development
Data Platform and Business Intelligence
Developer Tools & Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
Office, Office 365 and SharePoint
Modern Datacentre
Exchange and Lync
Windows Client, Access & Management
Windows Phone

The Call for Topics tool is open from today; May 15th 2013 until Monday June 17th 2013. Get those creative juices going and start submitting sessions. When you are submitting sessions please keep the following in mind:

To enhance the success of your session submission, please prepare your content to ensure it provides TechEd attendees with comprehensive technical readiness to inspire and succeed in their career. Your content should also align to meet the content themes for TechEd 2013, which are:

For Developers: TechEd is the place to get ready to create Windows 8 and Windows Phone Apps.

For IT Professionals: TechEd will provide an accelerated path to the skills they need to for deployment of Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012, Office 2013 and the Hybrid cloud.

Submissions that complement the TechEd 2013 content themes will be recognized throughout the approval process.

Below are some additional tips for a successful submission:

Abstracts should be limited to 300 words
Be sure to showcase your speaking experience
A succinct and descriptive session title is a must to engage attendees and should match the delivered content 100%
Session objectives should indicate clearly what a delegate will gain from attending the session
Build your presentations with 60-65 mins of content and allow 10-15 mins for Q&A
TechEd is about technical readiness so focus on the technology and ensure there is no blatant marketing in your content

Good luck and we look forward to seeing your submissions!

Cheers, Katie

Don't miss your chance to own a Nokia Lumia 920 with Windows Phone*

Katie Macintosh — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:32:57 GMT

There’s still time to win the very smart and intuitive Nokia Lumia 920 with Windows Phone.* And it's all thanks to the new System Center 2012 SP1 – an integrated management platform that will help you efficiently manage your datacentres, client devices, and hybrid cloud IT environments.

To enter, simply follow these three easy steps:

Download the new System Center 2012 SP1 or Windows Server 2012.
Send us a screenshot of the download screen.
Tell us how many virtualised servers you have and how many are running Hyper-V 2012.

Email your answer to downloadandwin@promtel.com.au by 31 March 2013 and you could be our lucky winner.

*Terms and conditions apply

NSW PERMIT NO. LTPS/13/01341 ACT PERMIT NO. TP 13/00721

New dates announced for IT Camps: Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8

Katie Macintosh — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:31:10 GMT

Microsoft IT CAMPS are back in 2013 and you’re invited!!

Microsoft IT Camps are expert led, no cost, training events for IT professionals, centred on the issues and workloads you’re tackling in your environment today.

IT Camp: Windows Server 2012 + Introduction to Windows Azure

At this Windows Server 2012 IT Camp you’ll gain deep technical insight into some of the new features and functionalities of Windows Server 2012. Demos and interactive discussions with Microsoft technical experts will cover a variety of topics including Storage, Networking, Server Management and Automation.

It is recommended you review Windows Server 2012 before you join us on the day as this session does not cover the Overview. You can find the Windows Server 2012 Technical Overview here.

IT Camp: Windows 8 for IT Pros

At this event, get first-hand technical experience with Windows 8 in the workplace. Explore the new features in Windows 8 and dive deep into key scenarios around management, deployment, security, desktop virtualization, application development, sideloading and desktop recovery.

IT Camps have limited capacity and always fill very quickly, so register now to secure your spot!

CANBERRA	REGISTER NOW >
Tuesday 26^th February 2013	IT Camp: Windows Server 2012 + Intro to Azure - Canberra
Wednesday 27^th February 2013	IT Camp: Windows 8 for IT Pros - Canberra
BRISBANE
Tuesday 5^th March 2013	IT Camp: Windows Server 2012 + Intro to Azure - Brisbane
Wednesday 6^th March 2013	IT Camp: Windows 8 for IT Pros - Brisbane
PERTH
Monday 25^th March 2013	IT Camp: Windows Server 2012 + Intro to Azure - Perth
Tuesday 26^th March 2013	IT Camp: Windows 8 for IT Pros - Perth
HOBART
Wednesday 3^rd April 2013	IT Camp: Windows Server 2012 + Intro to Azure - Hobart
Thursday 4^th April 2013	IT Camp: Windows 8 for IT Pros - Hobart

Windows Intune Wave D (+SCCM 2012 SP1 integration) Jumpstart - 1 day of training

Katie Macintosh — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:21:37 GMT

Hi everyone -

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and avoided getting too wet for those on the east coast caught up in the rain. In case you didn't see, the team has a new Jumpstart available this week on Windows Intune. The details are below and although it is US time you can certainly join at any stage during the event and also by registering you will get notification when the recordings are made available. Our own Jeff Alexander has also signed up for the event.

Have a great week, many thanks, Katie

The IT Pro Evangelism team, Microsoft Learning and the Microsoft Virtual Academy are pleased to announce the next Jump Start course Windows Intune Jumpstart on Wednesday, January 31^stfrom 8am – 5pm PST.

This live online event is designed for IT Pros that are evaluating Windows Intune all-up as well as the Unified integration with SCCM 2012 SP1 with a deeper focus on the new MDM capabilities.

Join Microsoft experts David Tesar & Richard Harrison in a demo-rich learning experience with a live Q&A.

Even if you cannot make the live event, sign up so that you receive notification when the recordings are posted to the Microsoft Virtual Academy in a few weeks.

Topics include:

(01) Big Picture with Windows Intune

(02) Architecture Design Considerations

(03) Extending your Identity to Windows Azure Active Directory

(04) Intune Administrator Roles, Users, and Groups

(05) Intune Policies

(06) Intune PC Setup and Enrollment

(07) Intune Mobile Device Management (MDM) Setup and Enrollment

(08) Intune Software Deployment

(09) Setting up Unified Infrastructure with Intune and SCCM

(10) Configuring Unified Infrastructure with Intune and SCCM

(11) Unified MDM setup and enrollment

(12) Unified MDM software deployment

A small demonstration of Windows 8...

Katie Macintosh — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:38:52 GMT

Windows 8 ... it is easy. Enjoy this video. Cheers, Katie Mac

(Please visit the site to view this video)

12 Milestone Microsoft Moments from 2012. Here’s to 2013.

Katie Macintosh — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:54:55 GMT

As the year winds down here's a video looking at the highlights. http://bit.ly/ZktBoX

See you in 2013!

TWO Chances to own a HALO 4 Collector’s Edition Xbox 360

Katie Macintosh — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 04:27:48 GMT

We’re giving you not one but TWO chances to win a Collector’s Edition Halo 4 Xbox Console!

Simply download the new Windows Server 2012 or System Center 2012 trial to enter.

Windows Server 2012 has reinvented the way we construct and run large datacenters while System Center 2012 helps you confidently deliver IT as a service for your business.

Click here to enter >

IT CAMPS – have you registered?

Katie Macintosh — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:06:29 GMT

Hi all - hope this week leading into the chocolate frenzy finds you all well? My name is Katie Mac and I work with Jeffa and Macca on all things IT Pro. I have been remiss in talking to you all so would like to keep you up to date with training, tools and resources that are available.

I am not sure if you have heard of our IT Camps or perhaps you have already attended one. They are fabulous hands-on learning opportunities that are hosted by Jeffa and Macca and we have some great new content and dates now available. Be quick to register though as seats are limited in each city and also note the next dates are in Sydney and Brisbane in just over a week so please get in fast! All the information and registration links you need can be found at http://aka.ms/itcampsinoz

Looking forward to seeing you all there. In case you would like some more info I've added a bit on each new topic below... And don’t forget there are still some seats available for the Datacenter Virtualisation IT Camp in Canberra and Preparing your Datacenter IT Camps in Sydney and Canberra. All details are on the IT Camps page.

Wishing you all some fun over this long weekend ahead, cheers, Katie Mac

REGISTER NOW Starting in Brisbane on 16th April and Sydney on 17th April and other cities in May and June

The culture of work is changing. Tech-savvy and always-connected, people want faster, more intuitive technology, uninterrupted services, and freedom to work anywhere, anytime, on a variety of devices. It’s time to give people the freedom to get things done their way. In return, you’ll unleash passion and productivity like never before. Learn how our products offer experiences that your people will love. Whether they are using PCs, phones, tablets, or all of the above, Microsoft technologies are flexible to match the unique needs and styles of individuals. Best of all, our enterprise-grade solutions are designed to help you maintain security, streamline management, and cut costs.

REGISTER NOW

The cloud is coming, but are you prepared to transform your datacenter to the next shift in enterprise computing? This camp will prepare you to understand, deploy and manage a Microsoft Private Cloud. See how you can combine hardware, software and management processes to update your datacenter to gain new levels of automation, elasticity, resource virtualization, efficiency and self-service. Dozens of technologies will be covered, including Windows Server, Hyper-V, Solutions Accelerators and all the System Center 2012 products.

Tech.ed Australia 2011 Call for Topics Now Live!

Jeffadude — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:12:19 GMT

As many of you know I'm looking after content end-to-end this year for Tech·ed Australia 2011 and we have reached the first of many milestones that we have in planning such an event. Today we would like to announce the availability of the Call for Topics tool for those of you wishing to submit sessions to this years conference. In my opinion content is king and we rely on the technical knowledge and creativity of our speakers to make a great event!

So with that please submit your sessions to: http://teau11.eventpoint.com/cft

This year we have a similar breakdown of content tracks to submit your sessions against which are below.

Architecture
Cloud Computing and Online Services
Database and Business Intelligence
Developer Tools, Languages and Frameworks
Dynamics*
Middleware and Integration*
Office and SharePoint
Office 365*
Security Identity and Management
Exchange and Lync
Virtualization
Voice of the Customer
Web Platform
Windows Client
Windows Phone
Windows Server
*Indicates a Virtual Track

The Call for Topics tool will be open until May 25th 2011 so get your thinking caps on and start submitting sessions. There are some tips for successful submissions which include:

A good session title – this must engage attendees and must match what is going to be delivered. Make sure the title entices people to want to attend the session!
Technical readiness – remember Tech·ed is about technical content; not marketing content!
Session objectives – what do you want the attendees to gain from your session and what do you want them.
Abstracts – limited to 300 words so need to clearly describe what the session is about. Remember sessions are 75 minutes long.
Tech·ed overall theme – This year’s theme is heavily focusing on Private Cloud and how it can help customers run their business's more efficiently so think about that when you submit sessions.

Good luck and we look forward to seeing some great submissions!

Jeffa

Technorati Tags: Call for Topics,CFT,Teched Australia

TechNet Professional Subscription: with 3 bonus months!

Jeffadude — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:41:48 GMT

Starting on April 1st 2011 (no really) and going through to June 30th 2011 we are offering 3 extra months to the normal 12 month TechNet subscription. It’s pretty good value and now includes 3 extra months free. This for new subscriptions only.

This is a TechNet Professional Subscription which includes:

Full-Version software for evaluations only for 70+ Microsoft products with no time or feature limits
Priority support on TechNet Managed Forums with technical answers within 2 business days
2 Professional Support Calls to help resolve critical technical issues
Microsoft E-Learning to keep your skills up-to-date and prepare for certifications
As well as additional support and productivity resources

If you don’t have a TechNet subscription as of yet; this Friday is a good time to start!