One of the most frequent questions we get at MAPFDBK@microsoft.com is how to get a list of the software discovered by the MAP toolkit on a computer by computer basis.  Most of the users who ask are using this to help them answer a licensing question but it can be used in a number of other scenarios...

We are pleased to announce the next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit—version 6.0— is now available for beta download. To participate, register for the MAP Toolkit 6.0 Beta at Microsoft Connect. Join the MAP Beta . Members, bookmark this link to get the...

We launched MAP 5.5 couple of weeks ago. In the last blog, we explored on the Internet Explorer discovery scenario within the context of Windows7 deployment. In MAP 5.5, we extended the scope of MAP toolkit beyond the traditional server and desktop hardware readiness assessment and toward cloud deployment...

Last week, in his blog " Identifying Browsers and Plugins That Might Represent a Risk" Gartner's Neil MacDonald stressed on the significance of MAP 5.5 Internet Explorer discovery scenario. With the proliferation of web browsers, and plugins such as toolbars, browser helper objects, Active -x controls...

We are pleased to announce the next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit-version 5.5- is now available for download. Download MAP 5.5 Simplify planning for migration to the latest Microsoft products and technologies with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP...

We are pleased to announce the next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit-version 5.5- is now available for beta download. To participate, register for the MAP Toolkit 5.5 Beta at Microsoft Connect. Join the MAP Beta. Members, bookmark this link to get the latest project...

In the last couple of posts, I discussed SQL server discovery feature as well as Software Usage tracking feature of MAP toolkit. In this blog, I would like to introduce you to some of the technical specifics of the MAP toolkit. What the MAP Toolkit Does The MAP Toolkit is designed to let you...

The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) team has released a new guide: Windows User State Virtualization (USV). The Infrastructure Planning and Design guide for Windows User State Virtualization (USV) helps IT get started with planning a Windows USV solution. It can be difficult for IT to find...

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit has a new Software usage tracking capability so that partners can help customers evaluate their Server and CAL licensing needs. This new Software usage tracking feature is a positive step forward to support our customers. With MAP 5.0 toolkit, customers...

In the previous blog , Joyce discussed the MAP 5.0 features, specifically SQL server instances and databases discovery. Continuing the discussion, I would like to share with you the sample proposals and worksheets that the MAP 5.0 toolkit p rovides as part of the discovery process. These worksheets provide...

We have announced the general availability of MAP 5.0 during Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). We are excited to see strong response and following to MAP 5.0. In this blog, we would like to explore "SQL Server Consolidation report", one of the new features of MAP Toolkit 5.0. With MAP 5.0, SQL server...

We're happy to announce that the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.0 is now available. The MAP Toolkit 5.0 is an agentless tool designed to simplify and streamline the IT infrastructure planning process across multiple scenarios through network-wide automated discovery and assessments...

One of the newest features in development for the MAP Toolkit is the ability to track usage data for Microsoft products. With the MAP Toolkit 5.0 Beta, you can intelligently track usage to determine your licensing needs for Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. MAP is an agent-less tool that allows you to inventory...

MAP 5.0 Beta 2 is currently available, and the beta program is under way. Traditionally, MAP performs inventory and assessment of IT environments running Microsoft platforms, and virtualization platforms including VMware technologies. With MAP 5.0, the Solution Accelerator Team has extended the heterogeneous...

We're happy to announce that the beta for the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.0 is now open. We encourage you to join the beta review program and help influence the development of the toolkit. To participate, register for the MAP Toolkit 5.0 Beta 2 at Microsoft Connect. The MAP...

I am Venkat Ganti, Sr. Product Manager in the Microsoft Solution Accelerators Team, responsible for driving the MAP Toolkit. Last week, the Microsoft Solution Accelerators team released the MAP Toolkit 5.0 Beta1 . I am particularly excited about some of the new features of this beta release, specifically...

We’re happy to announce that the beta for the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.0 is now open. We encourage you to join the beta review program and help influence the development of the toolkit. To participate, register for the MAP Toolkit 5.0 Beta 1 at Microsoft Connect. The Microsoft...

Meet Mike Mitchell, Principal Group Program Manager, as he talks about the advantages of the Microsoft Assessment Planning Toolkit (MAP) for IT pros and business decision-makers as they begin to integrate Windows 7. http://talkingaboutwindows.com/archive/2009/12/07/mike-mitchell.aspx

Our friends at IBM have been working hard to provide customers direct insight into IBM Hardware, and guidance for consolidated workloads for IBM System X and Blade servers using MAP 4.0. Take a look at the announcement. I am very proud to announce that the IBM Hardware Pack for Microsoft Assessment...

Check out this great article on MAP v4 This article explains the new features in MAP v4 including instructions on how users can fine tune their hardware assessments for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 to their own hardware profiles. Additionally, it provides insight into the new features included...

Today, Windows 7 is released to cities around the world. Are you thinking about migrating your PCs to Windows 7 for your organizations? To help you with deploying Windows 7 successfully and quickly, Microsoft has been developing lots of great tools and best practice (available on Microsoft.com). Here...

Here's my latest blog post on the " Because It's Everybody's Business " site on Microsoft.com. The article titled " Don't Compromise Your IT! Modernize It! " lays out a few key challenges and solutions to help you save IT costs while maintaining agility and operational efficiency. Check it out! ...

Are you getting ready for Windows 7? Read the latest TechNet Magazine article, The 10 Things to Do First for Windows 7 , by Bill Boswell. Learn from the expert on how you can use tools like the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) for Windows 7 , Application Compatibility Toolkit , Key Management...

Have you considered consolidating your datacenter servers down to a more manageable number? Are your servers taking up too much of your IT budget simply to power and cool them? Did you know that many organizations like yours may have under-utilized servers lying around that ought to be virtualized? ...

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 5.0 Beta Program is now open for registration. This upcoming release of MAP Toolkit will offer new areas including potential scenarios such as desktop migration assessment to Office 2010 and server migration assessment from Linux platforms to Windows Server...