This week Microsoft announced some major changes in our certification program.  Why? Well with the Cloud taking off, it’s time for an update. MCSE is now Microsoft Certified Solution Expert.  If you remember 20 years ago, here in Texas we had...

  Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems. . . We asked students from all over the world to come up with innovative uses of technology that would make the world a better place. They stepped up to the challenge, and the...

  Top 10 New Features in SQL 2012 Our new SQL 2012 just released. I get asked all the time why should I upgrade to the latest. There are 100’s of reasons with this one, I tried to pick the best 10. More info here: http://social.technet.microsoft...

I had two sessions at this year’s Microsoft Management Summit (MMS 2012).   On this post I will include the PowerPoints for the decks I used. Also I will update this post when the sessions become live on http://mms-2012.com   They were...

Today is day 2 of MMS 2012, April 17th, 2012.  I just can’t believe the number of Announcements that have come out today. First here at the Keynote at MMS we announced the world wide availability of  System Center 2012. To download the trial...

About This Video Microsoft MVP Mitch Garvis is back on the show and in today’s no holds-barred session, we’re giving a serious look at VMware vs. the Microsoft Private Cloud. Tune in as we give a “Just the facts ma’am” overview of the key differences...

About This Video Brian Crum, a Product Marketing Manager from the Lync team joins us today, as we discuss the recent release and features found in Lync Mobile . Tune in as we cover an array of topics from key features to how to get started, as well as...

The System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SDK provides information applicable to administrators who want to automate Configuration Manager through script and to developers adding features and extensions to base Configuration Manager functionality....

Yesterday on the Windows 8 Blog Steven Sinofsky posted a great blog about how Windows 8 and SkyDrive will work together. There is already an app for Windows 8, and the Windows Phone for Skydrive. I use them both, they are great!   Everyone get...

This is cool. Microsoft is willing to PAY you to try some software and learn some stuff. And you could also win a very slick laptop in the process. “Huh? Seriously?” Well.. in a sense. We’re announcing today an opportunity for a limited (roughly 5,000...

I will be doing a bunch of IT Camps in May. These are full day (9-3) free events on Upgrading your Servers, System Center 2012, and Windows Server 2012. They do have some hands on if you bring the right machine, you will leave with the software if you...

We are going to have a 2 part Webcast series on how to deploy Windows in your environment.  Registration information below. TechNet Webcast: Everything You Wanted to Know and Ask about Windows Deployment (Part 1) Registration URL: http://go.microsoft...

Today we announced an agreement with Barnes and Noble.  I think this is really cool, even if I don’t own an e-reader yet.  I see what is coming. from the press release: One of the first benefits for customers will be a NOOK application for Windows...

I saw this morning that SQL 2012 RTM has been added to my list of downloads on TechNet subscriber site! Here is the announcement from the SQL team blog Microsoft is excited to announce the general availability (GA) of SQL Server 2012 for purchase and...

If you are one of those TechNet subscribers that are always downloading stuff, and looked yesterday you quietly noticed something.  Yes for you(TechNet), MSDN, and EA download site customers,  the RTM bits of System Center 2012 became available...

I was just notified that 4 more Virtual labs were released on SQL 2012.  Enjoy! MSDN Virtual Lab: SQL Server 2012: Working with the SQL Server 2012 Availability Groups   MSDN Virtual Lab: SQL Server 2012: Creating SQL Server 2012 Tabular BI...

I was reading today on the Windows blog about a new Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 8 (DaRT) beta release .  It is part of MDOP Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack . DaRT 8 beta is designed to help IT professionals easily recover PCs that have become...

I saw this video on http://www.wpcentral.com/   it’s cool so I had to share. Do I need to upgrade my Windows Phone 7 to a Lumina 900?

Yesterday 4/4/12  (by the way 37th happy birthday to MSFT)   we had a great event in Houston. I did 3 sessions.  Here are the  slides. Hybrid Cloud Office 365   System Center 2012 Overview   Thanks to Matt Hester...

I have done a bunch of SQL 2012 blog post lately. Several people have asked me about SQL events coming up. SQL 2012  events coming up soon. • SQL Saturday #107 – Houston, TX – April 21 • PASS SQL Rally – Dallas, TX – May 10 & 11 • Microsoft TechEd...

About This Video Microsoft SQL Server MVP Kevin Kline and Vice President of Database Development at Quest Software Guy Harrison, join us for today’s episode where we discuss Big Data and Hadoop ---from what it is, why its important as well what role does...

About This Video Microsoft SQL Server MVP Kevin Kline is back and brings with him Director of Development at Quest Software, Patrick O’Keefe. Tune in as they chat about the latest enhancements of SQL Server 2012, SQL Azure, as well as Project Lucy – a...

Last night I presented at the DFW IT professionals group in Dallas.  www.dfwitprofessionals.com Here are my slides. Consumerization of IT and Windows 8 System Center 2012 overview written by Matt Hester Remember to download System Center 2012 at...

Learn firsthand how Microsoft management solutions can empower you in your cloud computing journey and help you manage a wide range of different devices in your organization. Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President of the Management and Security Division...

System Center Advisor has Launched! Today’s IT professionals spend an enormous amount of time and effort addressing problems related to incorrectly configured servers. To help combat this challenge, Microsoft is pleased to announce the general availability...