I managed to grab 5 minutes to interview Dan Pilling, a recent convert to Technet UK as the IT Professional Audience Marketing Manager. And what better way to introduce Dan to you properly than with 10 Questions!
1. What is your name and where do you come from? (Imagine this being said Cilla Black – Blind Date Style!)
2. How would you describe yourself using 3 tags?
Fun, Music-Addict, Petrol Head
In order to help get to know our readers better it would be awesome if you too gave your answers to the same 10 questions I’ll do the same and post my answers next week for you. I’ll also be going round the rest of the IT Pro team and getting them to do the same! And remember that you can also follow us on Twitter!
Not that long ago we held an online conference on the ‘Why’ and the ‘How’ of deploying Windows 7, featuring a brilliant ‘Real-World Migration’ slot from Paul Cooke and Tom Unwin.
They gave us the low-down on how and why Plymouth City Council are deploying Windows 7 alongside a whole host of other Microsoft solutions. They touch on both the Business and Technical challenges they’ve faced, and if you missed it you can now view their session along with loads more great content from Simon May and Andrew Fryer at the links below.
Just click the session you like the look of, sit back and enjoy!
Introductory Keynote – Why you should be deploying Windows 7.
Security – Identify the security benefits of using a modern operating system.
Ease of Support – A look at the technologies built into the box that enable the support of users far more easily than in the past.
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) – As requested by TechNet Readers, we discuss how to leverage the MDT Database functionality to carry out dynamic deployments.
Plymouth City Council’s Real-World Migration – Paul and Tom share insights into their Windows 7 Deployment.
After much deliberation we have reached a conclusion for the winner of Sam’s Lenovo B320 Multi-Touch All-In-One PC. Congratulations go to the TechieGirls for winning with their very first attempt! The judges all loved the creativity and the props used, as well as the importance and relevance of all the tips highlighted, well done!
Meanwhile in the race for views to win our Grand Prize of a 3D TV, Full HD 3D Ready Camcorder and 3D Conversion Lens yachtinglimited have been leapfrogged by JangidUK’s Security video. But with about a month still to go it could all change, just submit your video to answer this fortnight’s question and get some momentum behind it to be in with a chance of winning.
Here’s the latest videos for your viewing pleasure.
pauliddon
TechieGirls
JangidUK
It’s been a quiet one this week as we get prepared for a new addition to the TechNet Team. More about that next week!
Until then, here’s this week’s posts, including a whole load of great Tech.Days Online content – perfect for a rainy weekend.
Last Thursday we brought you a day full of great discussion on a whole host of different topics, including the latest on Windows, Office, System Center, SQL Server and Azure. We had lots of people attend all the day, so many thanks from all the team to everyone that came along.
If you couldn’t make it, no problem. Every session was recorded and all the content is available for you to check out below, just select the part that takes your fancy and stick in a name, no Recording Key required. Enjoy!
Track A AM – Collaborate Better
Learn more about the impact consumer devices in the workplace are having on modern IT, and how solutions such as Office 365 can improve productivity and collaboration in your organisation.
Part One – Introduction to Collaboration, Office 365 Demo, Designing for Office 2010 Deployment & a Live Office 2010 Deployment Demo Part Two – Setting Up Office 365, Office 365 for Enterprise & Configuring Office 365
PM – Supporting More than Windows
Windows is only the beginning of what's possible - see how different ways of working can support your organisation and its users. Simon May is joined by Microsoft MVP David Nudelman and STEP member Chris Rhodes to discuss how Windows can help you to embrace the increasingly strong presence of consumer devices in the workplace.
Part One – Building a Consumerisation Strategy & Windows 7 for the Best Desktop Part Two – Supporting Mobile Users & A Better Browsing Experience
Track B AM – System Center – It’s All About the App
Now it's not just about how fast your hardware is - it's all about the app. System Center 2012 is going to change how applications are managed in the data centre, Andrew Fryer and Microsoft MVP Gordon McKenna will take you through the way this will happen.
Part One – System Center App Controller, Packaging and Managing Your Application Part Two – What About the User?, Automate the Helpdesk & Putting it all Together (ALM)
PM – Introduction to SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2012 (previously known as ‘Denali’) builds on the development themes in previous releases with major improvements to High availability, Business Intelligence, Manageability and Developer Platform. In this session Andrew Fryer, Samuel Solieman and Microsoft MVPs Allan Mitchell and Jennifer Stirrup provide introductions and demos of key features.
Part One – Introduction to SQL Server 2012, Management AlwaysOn Demo, Self Service BI & SQL Server and the Cloud Part Two – Data Quality & Unstructured Data
Track C Integrating Windows Azure into Your Infrastructure
If it hasn't already, the Cloud will have an impact on IT provision in your organisation. Whether it's email/collaboration and communication, SaaS-based CRM and ERP systems or LOB apps running on a cloud platform, there's a whole range of integration challenges for the IT Pro. In this session find out what Windows Azure is and how to integrate and manage its applications with your on-site infrastructure.
Part One – Windows Azure Overview & Role Creation Demo Part Two – SQL Azure Overview and Demo, Windows Azure Connect, Domain Join Demo & SCOM
We’re ‘super excited’ here at TechNet for Friday, when we will be joined in Reading by System Center guru Wally Mead for a packed agenda of System Center Configuration Manager 2012 sessions in association with the Windows Management User Group (WMUG).
Wally is a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft in Redmond and is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative sources of information when it comes to SCCM. He’s got a day rammed full of information, hints, tips and giveaways and it’s sure to be a brilliant opportunity to learn and network with WMUG members.
There’s only a very limited number of places left, so you’ll need to move fast! Click here for registration details and check out the agenda below.
09.30
Registration
10.00
What is System Center Configuration Manager?
System Center Configuration Manager assesses, deploys, and updates servers, client computers, and devices-across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments
11.00
Configuration Manager 2012 Overview and What’s new since beta 2
Configuration Manager 2012 is close to being released as a product. This session will describe (and demonstrate) some of the new features from Configuration Manager 2007, as well as some of the changes implemented from the Beta 2 version you may have played with.
12.00
Lunch
13.00
Migration to Configuration Manager 2012
With the impending release of Configuration Manager 2012, you need to know how to move from your current Configuration Manager 2007 environment to the new Configuration Manager 2012 product. This session will demonstrate the migration process and what you can do to prepare for your own migration.
14.00
Overview of the Configuration Manager 2012 Application Model
Configuration Manager 2012 software distribution takes a large leap in functionality with the new application model. This session will discuss the benefits of application management over software distribution packages, and how to use the new application model for application management.
15.00
Break
15.30
Endpoint Protection in Configuration Manager 2012
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection is now integrated into Configuration Manager 2012. This session will show you how to implement FEP 2012 into Configuration Manager 2012.
16.30
Q&A
17.00
End