Somewhere between the physical and the virtual
More announcements ...
Today started, like yesterday, with a keynote of note: this one with Brad and a stellar cast demoing new features and products for the desktop. Among others, the collected audience saw Jeff Wettlaufer demo a deployment of Windows 7 out to 20-some XP machines, all in something like 15 minutes using Config Manager R2. Wirelessly, in front of a live audience. The preparation was captured on a pair of Edge videos, the first of which you can get here, and the new one here.
Brad looks up to Jeff, really he does.
Clare Henry was also on stage to talk about Service Manager, and demo some of its features. Expect launch in the first half of calendar year 2010, with a public beta well prior.
Clare in demo mode w/ Brad.
A little later in the day, Brad had some time to come by and visit the crew in the Community Lounge, gave a short speech on the importance of community in product development, whether it’s Microsoft doing the developing, or the community contributing assets such as management packs. He also took questions from the audience for about 20 minutes, and went on with his busy schedule at the event. Tomorrow, we plan to repeat the scene, but with Larry Orecklin, the GM of the marketing team.
Brad speaking informally w/ attendees.
Among other things, Brad’s presence produced an extended run on our swag that’s been keeping me at my station until well past closing time. Funny what some t-shirts and mini-mice can do to event goers… who says WOM doesn’t work?
Gotta sign off for today—cheers from Las Vegas.
- dave //
I’m Larry Orecklin, general manager of the System Center group. It’s been a while since I’ve blogged here, but as I did last year at Microsoft Management Summit (video here) I wanted to take a moment to add some perspective on Day 2 at MMS.
Before I get to Day 2, let me provide some context on our business today so you can better understand the thinking behind today’s keynote and announcements. For starters, all the server tools and server applications, such as System Center, Windows Server, SQL, fall within Microsoft’s Server & Tools Business (STB). Last week we reported that STB revenue grew 7% year over year to (U.S.) $3.47 billion in the Jan-March 2009 period. While this broke a streak of 20+ quarters of double-digit growth, it does show that customers and partners have confidence in Microsoft’s servers, tools and applications in the economic downturn. Within STB, the System Center business grew over 20%. In particular, the server management part of System Center grew 45%, thanks in part to customer adoption of server virtualization and server applications. Related, we also saw more than 1,000 enterprise customers acquire the System Center Management Suite Enterprise license and we saw over 100% growth with Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack to over 14 million seats. These last two items point to the tremendous value we’re delivering to customers.
As for today at MMS 2009, Brad Anderson’s keynote [available here] live and for replay] demonstrated progress towards the user-centric client management strategy we announced last year at MMS. This strategy is about empowering end users to do their jobs effectively, regardless of their location, while adhering to the set of policies and controls that are important for the needs of the business. Our strategy revolves around three areas: service orchestration, flexible access and a modern client. Cox Communications, Tuv Nord and Mamut are some of the many customers who are reaping real benefits today by being thought leaders in the current economic climate. You can read the news release here.
I’ll highlight two items from Brad’s keynote. First, Brad discussed Windows 7 and highlights how it will serve as the optimized, modern OS with a host of new capabilities to make it easier to manage remote users in the branch, home and on private networks. Brad announced that Configuration Manager 2007 R2 would be available within 90 days of the Win7 RTM and demonstrated how ConfigMgr R2 supports key manageability features in Windows 7, including Bitlocker and BranchCache. Brad’s demo showed how deploying Win7 with System Center and MDOP makes deployment faster and easier than ever. System Center combines with MDOP technologies to help streamline Windows 7 deployments. This is achieved through seamless integration of virtual technologies at the application and soon, at the OS level. The demo also showed the new wireless support for Intel’s vPro technology which helps IT to improve service while lowering costs through enhanced insight into, and control over, client infrastructure.
Next, Brad demonstrated three upcoming products.
(1) System Center Service Manager (a CTP in 60 days, beta by end of the year) will provide IT organizations an integrated process framework that can help them orchestrate process, knowledge and workflows making it easier to manage compliance. SC Service Manager will ship with connectors that transform information from Active Directory, SCCM and SCOM to form a baseline CMDB. We expect to offer Service Manager as a standaone license, as well as enhance the value of our Ecal suite with Service Manager. Details will be available closer to product availability.
(2) System Center Online Desktop Manager (due in 2010; beta later this year) demonstrates our adoption of online services to help businesses lower the costs and complexity of keeping desktops up to date and secure.
(3) System Center Configuration Manager vNext (due in 2011) was part of a preview demo, which focused on the administrator and end-user experience to be offered with System Center Configuration Manager vNext.
It’s the combination of Windows 7, MDOP and System Center tools that will help customers shift to user-centric management. It’s time to start planning your shift to user-centric management using capabilities today that are delivering real value to organizations, like Cox. After watching Brad’s keynote [or the brief clips to be posted this afternoon], you’ll see that we’re focused on empowering customers and partners today with an integrated suite of products and technologies, and we’re investing today for future innovations so customers can accomplish great things.
Larry Orecklin
If you are the Microsoft Management Summit on Wednesday in Las Vegas, all 3 of the core DPM sessions are being delivered back-to-back … SO16, SO17 and SO18.
We’ll start with ‘Technical Introduction to DPM 2007 Sp1’ at 11:45 You’ll still get a chance to eat, but a late breakfast wouldn’t hurt We continue with ‘Protecting Applications with DPM 2007 Sp1’ at 2:15 And if your head hasn’t exploded … and my voice hasn’t given out … We finish with ‘Advanced Capabilities in DPM 2007 sp1’ at 4:00
We’ll start with ‘Technical Introduction to DPM 2007 Sp1’ at 11:45
You’ll still get a chance to eat, but a late breakfast wouldn’t hurt
We continue with ‘Protecting Applications with DPM 2007 Sp1’ at 2:15
And if your head hasn’t exploded … and my voice hasn’t given out …
We finish with ‘Advanced Capabilities in DPM 2007 sp1’ at 4:00
For the rest of the DPM schedule, check out my blog – I’m in Vegas all week, preaching the merits of Data Protection from System Center.
-- Jason
Think I’ve convinced Garth Jones to post an article/blog post on user groups, special interest groups (SIGs), and study groups, which could be very helpful to those looking for info on how to engage/start such communities… when he does post it, I’ll be sure to link to it and tie the info into our influencers program.
Rod Trent and Ron Crumbaker of myITforum.com did their usual MMS session on community this year; of note were Garth’s discussion of user groups, etc., Tev Sanders perspective from the Field (Microsoft) on the value of communities in building the business and a collective knowledge base for solving problems and accessing help, and Brian Mason talked about the ins-and-outs of the MVP program, and what value it offers. I managed to get in a few words about the Influencers Program, and distributed a few contact cards to people.
Hung around a bit w/ Terri Worley and Pete Zerger, who’s here launching his new online community resource, SystemCenterCentral.com, where members of the community can access, among other things, community-generated management packs.
Pete Zerger in the Lounge.
Generally, stuff happened, people were talked to, sites shown, gesticulations gesticulated, announcements made, tweets twittered, and—last, but not least—blogs blogged.
Officially launching at MMS 2009 in Las Vegas is a new community program that will give influencers—user group leads, MVPs, popular bloggers, and others recognized as influential in the community around System Center—the technical training content, people connections, and general guidance they need to enhance their credibility and impact in the community.
Key Member Benefits
This invitation-only program has its online home on Microsoft Connect, and offers or links to several different tools intended to support influencer needs. As this is very much a work in progress that is just getting off the ground, we are asking participants to help us develop the program and shape it in ways that are most relevant to the community.
Who’s Eligible
This program is intended for influencers of all kinds, or simply those who are looking for tools to become more influential in their communities. Our intention is not to supplant any existing influencer programs, such as the MVP program, but merely to complement and extend them, focusing specifically on the needs of the System Center (and soon: Virtualization) community.
How to Find Out More
If you are interested in this program, or have any questions about our tools, resources, or mission, please contact us at scnetsup@microsoft.com.