by Ron Grattopp….you may have already heard some good things about Microsoft’s next generation browser, but, in case you haven’t let me highlight some of the new features than you should know about in IE9.  And check at the end of this post for links...

Hot off the Press!    Based on partner feedback, we’re pleased to announce a new service for MPN Members to help overcome sales blockers when in competitive sales situations.  This new service, called Microsoft Competitive Assistance (MCA...

J.J. Antequino ---------------------------------- Before you read this post, I hope that you have already signed up to receive BPOS Partner of Record fees and have read my previous blog about the “Order on behalf of” experience. If not, please review...

  What are learning “snacks”? Snacks are high engagement vehicles that offer impactful knowledge transfer on Microsoft new products.  Highlights include: Designed for Internet “bite-sized” culture Delivers short, focused 5 to 15-minute chunks...

  Gartner MarketScope for E-mail Systems, 2010 (Gartner Research, August 12, 2010)   Microsoft received a “strong positive” rating in the 2010 Gartner MarketScope for E-mail Systems . The report evaluates the major e-mail vendors and Gartner...

J.J. Antequino   ---------------------------------- As the saying goes… It’s so easy a caveman can do it! Once you have signed the Microsoft Online Service Partner Agreement and taken the assessment, all you need to do is go to the Microsoft Online...

Are you connected ? Microsoft® Lync™, formerly Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) and Microsoft Communicator, delivers on the vision of a truly integrated communications experience.   Lync is about connecting people in new ways, anytime...

Rob Waggoner   Recently I received the question: “With all of the failover and redundancy we now have in place, do we still need backups?” That’s an interesting question, but I hope you’re immediately saying “Yes! we still need backups”.  Here...

Rob Waggoner How else could I say that?  I took a look at TechNet Edge this morning and saw this article.  It was so cool that I had to repeat it.  P2V Migration for Software Assurance Beta with Jeremy Chapman This is still in beta, but...

  Learn more at www.crm2011beta.com Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 delivers the Power of Productivity through familiar, connected and intelligent experiences for users inside and outside an organization.   Familiar experiences through a next-generation...

If you’re not deploying Windows 7 yet, you need this information. Check out the following Partner site for more information to see how VARs can easily deploy Windows 7. https://partner.microsoft.com/40103868?msp_id=windows7vars Value...

  Windows PowerShell is a Windows command-line shell designed especially for system administrators. The Windows PowerShell includes an interactive prompt and a scripting environment that can be used independently or in combination. Unlike most shells...

We have some new Windows 7 and Desktop training available and you could win a new Camcorder just by taking time to take the training now.  We are giving away a Flip SlideHD and a Flip Ultra Camcorder.  You know you need to learn about Windows...

Woody Walton Since before the release of Office 2010, Microsoft has been preparing the channel for a new or updated purchase mechanism for Office that gives consumers a safe, easy, and inexpensive to get into the Office 2010 Suite when they buy a PC or...

I saw this headline today and I just had to take a look.  Microsoft hungry to eat VMWare's lunch http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20015123-56.html?tag=mncol Sometimes titles like this make me take a look, but as I read the article, they have a few...

Recently while giving a presentation on Windows XP mode, which is the ability to run a “Virtual XP” environment within Windows 7, the conversation came up about managing and protecting the XP machine.  YES you need to manage and protect the machine...

Not Exactly, which is why I am writing this post.  As I have been training several OEM partners of Microsoft, I thought it was important for all to understand what is upon us. For those of you that didn’t know the OEM license of Windows 7 gives you...

  The Microsoft Web Platform runs a magnitude of popular and free web apps that help you do everything from blogging to selling products online. Getting up and running with a Web app is a cinch. For supported Web apps, Web PI will handle the download...

by Ron Grattopp…..Well, I’m hoping that all of you already know that Microsoft made/is making some pretty sweeping changes to what you used to know as the “Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP)”; in fact, one of the changes was the name, it’s now the Microsoft...

Use this promotion to capture expiring annuity revenue for small- and medium-business (SMB) customers by offering a cost-effective way to upgrade to the Windows 7 operating system and Microsoft Office 2010. The Microsoft Open Value Subscription program...

Q: (from Keith) Is there a resource for using the Forefront product and to help me understand what parts and pieces are required from a licensing perspective? A: When you are looking for Forefront, I’m going to assume you mean Forefront Client Security...

by Ron Grattopp…….Most of you, being Microsoft partners, should already be familiar with the fact that the former Microsoft Partner Program, now Microsoft Partner Network (MPN), has undergone some significant changes.  One of the major changes is...

  One of the most common questions I hear from Partners when it comes to using “Cloud” solutions is “How do I know you are protecting my customer’s privacy"? I thought I should dig into this so you know where to go to find the information to...

Windows Small Business Server Code Name “Aurora” is a new edition of Windows Small Business Server that introduces cross-premise functionality, providing small businesses with on-premise file and print, security, backup, remote access, and identity management...

Windows Small Business Server (SBS) Code Name “7” is the next release of Windows Small Business Server Standard, which is a fully on-premise solution. Windows Small Business Server “7” minimizes initial acquisition and deployment times by offering an...