By Ron Grattopp ….We are rapidly approaching the public launch (GA) of Windows 8, when it becomes available to all customers, including retail and OEM.  At which time we will also see a spate of new devices running Windows 8 on form factors...

J.J. Antequino ---------------------------------- Over the past few weeks, I have been speaking with Partners about my experience with Windows 8…. and I LOVE it! I now use my Windows 8 tablet exclusively. And of course I always show it off when I get...

Rob Waggoner Windows Server 2008 R2 supported NIC teams, but Windows Server 2008 R2 depended on the NIC manufacturers to develop the teaming software.  In Windows Server 2012  the NIC teaming capability is now native to the Operating System...

Q: (from Shawn) When you downgrade Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition to Windows Server 2008 R2 how many virtual versions do you get?   A: You can still run two virtual instances. From the Windows Server 2012 Licensing FAQ ( http://download.microsoft...

Woody Walton I was sad to see, like many of you, that the changes announced to our Forefront product roadmap on September 12th here included the sunset of one of my favorite security products from Microsoft, Forefront Threat Management Gateway ...

B  V  A On September 10th, 2012 Microsoft previewed the roadmap for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack 1 and the interoperability of Windows Intune and System Center Configuration Manager Console SP1 and Windows Intune. ...

Rob Waggoner   As we look at the new licensing model around Windows Server 2012, I want to clarify some of the “fine print” in licensing.  This same “fine print” existed for Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Enterprise Editions.  I reviewed...

  Josh Condie – If you have just begun to sell Microsoft Online Services such as Office 365 and are looking for the deep guidance to accelerate your new practice, then this course is just what you need.  You will learn about all of the programs...

Josh Condie – Jump Start online courses are specifically tailored for experienced IT pros whose jobs demand they know how to best leverage new, emerging Microsoft technologies. These advanced courses assume a certain level of expertise and domain knowledge...

Woody Walton   Earlier today my peer Ron Grattopp posted a nice recap on the value proposition of Windows 8 Professional and more specifically, Windows 8 Enterprise in his Windows 8 Professional and Enterprise feature overview .  It is a good...

Rob Waggoner Question (from Louis): When a client has SBS 2011 with SA and then want to migrate to 2012, I understand they receive one Server 2012 license and 1 Exchange 2010 license but my question is this: is the customer then responsible for the Server...

Are you ready ? All attendees will be entered in a drawing for 1 of 10 Windows 8 Tablets to be given away.  Windows 8 and the new Office and Windows Server 2012 are coming soon, and because you’re a valued Microsoft Partner, we would like to invite...

J.J. Antequino ---------------------------------- Recently, I’ve been asked about how System Center licensing works for desktops….  In the past, if you wanted to manage/monitor/protect a desktop, you needed to purchase the appropriate Client Management...

Josh Condie – Microsoft Press has just release 3 great new books to arm yourself with as your colleagues and customers begin to explore the new client OS. Help them deploy, manage, use and experience all the new features and form factors that are about...

Rob Waggoner   Friday we released an Out of Band security fix for Internet Explorer.  This fix covers IE 6, 7, 8 & 9 and it is a critical fix .  We don’t release normal fixes Out of Band and we recognize how difficult it is for our...

B  V  A While talking about Windows Server 2012 at the Disti Summits last week in Las Vegas and Miami, a question came up that I wanted to double check our status at Corporate.  “What about Multi Point Server ???”  Currently Windows...

Michael Kophs – You’re probably aware that Microsoft has released a “Preview” version of the New Office. Well did you know that you can also preview the New Office 365 Enterprise? The “New Office 365” is the major service update that existing Office 365...

  By Ron Grattopp …..About 6 months ago, I did a post around including browser security as part of your customer conversations.  As we move forward in this ever more mobile, cloud-oriented computing paradigm where the browser becomes THE central...