Swiss IT Professional and TechNet Blog : Switzerland

Shape – The Web Conference – 27 October 2009 Zurich

mepprecht — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:20:55 GMT

Everything you want to know about the latest Web Technologies.

27th October 2009, Swissôtel Zürich

This conference will show you in one day, the newest technology advances for Software and Web Developers, Web Architects, Web- and Interactive Designers, and now also Hosting Providers

One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of the Best of Swiss Silverlight Awards in the morning, plus the unique Podium discussion during lunch. With 2 parallel tracks, a Designer and Developer track in the morning, and a Developer and Hosting Provider Track in the afternoon, followed by a Networking-Apéro.

Shape ‘09 offers you the platform the see the most important technologies for the Internet, plus ideas and practical implementations and then you can network and discuss your ideas with your colleagues.

Helvetia Shows us Her Windows

mepprecht — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:46:00 GMT

What is the result when a national Top Photographer with a Top Swiss Model is asked to create his own Windows Desktop Background?

Photographer Noë Flum, together with Model Raquel Alvarez created a Helvetic modern work of art on the San Bernardino.

What becomes clear when looking the the Making-of Video, is that there is no computer wizardry being used here. The whole scene was fully created on-location, using only a camera and props.

The desktop background is available as a free download (1920x1442).

Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage Notifier

mepprecht — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

For Switzerland, Office Genuine Advantage has arrived..

Office Genuine Advantage Notifier is a program that Microsoft uses to combat software piracy and help you check whether your Microsoft Office version is original software and properly licensed.

From 25. August 2009 can download OGA Notifier from Microsoft Update.

If you are not using original software the notification tool will periodically remind you, so that you can take appropriate action.

The OGA website helps you to activate your product and to take measures so that your software passes validation. If the Authenticity check fails, your can license the product easily using the OGA Legalization Kit. This consists of original disk and product key. If you need help, you will be redirected to your local retailer or Microsoft support services.

More more information about Microsoft Office Original Software.

Swiss SQL Server Saturday - 19th September 2009 - Digicomp Academy (Zurich) - Free Event

mepprecht — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:28:00 GMT

Swiss SQL Server Saturday is an opportunity to connect with other Database and BI professionals to learn from Database, Application Development and BI experts about topics that you’ll immediately be able to put into use.

With 15 great sessions covering topics from Silverlight to Datamining, Clustering to Performance Tuning, SSIS to Gemini you’ll find that your Saturday is put to excellent use!

The event is FREE to attend, organised by the Swiss PASS Chapter and supported by Quest, Microsoft and Digicomp. To register go to http://www.sqlsaturday.ch

Swiss TechNet Seminars - Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7

mepprecht — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

For the RTM Releases of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, we are offering the appropriate Swiss TechNet seminars. The new features and functions will be discussed and Demo’d.

Presentation language will be in German.

28 August 09	Windows 7 – alles, was Sie als IT Professional über die finale Version wissen müssen (Repeated on 6 November)
09 September 09	Windows Server 2008 R2 unter der Lupe
15 September 09	Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2
06 November 09	Windows 7 – alles, was Sie als IT Professional über die finale Version wissen müssen (Repeat of 28 August)

Microsoft Connection Days

mepprecht — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:46:55 GMT

At five locations in Switzerland from 28 September up to 8. October 2009, Microsoft Connection Days (ex Partner Days), an event for Partners and IT professionals will be held.

This year, Microsoft Partners and now IT Professionals will have the opportunity, under one roof, to network and make interesting contacts. Five IT professional topics will be available for you to obtain the latest information about cloud computing (key note), Windows 7, Office/Exchange 2010, Windows Server R2 and Hyper-V R2, SQL Server and Online Services (BPOS).

Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 Local Resources for Switzerland

mepprecht — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:57:34 GMT

Do you want the Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 resources in German, French or Italian?

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Downloads: http://technet.microsoft.com/de-ch/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
Springboard Series: http://technet.microsoft.com/de-ch/windows/dd361745.aspx

Parlez vous Français?

Télécharger: http://technet.microsoft.com/fr-ch/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
Springboard Series: http://technet.microsoft.com/fr-ch/windows/dd361745.aspx

Parla Italiano?

Download: http://technet.microsoft.com/it-ch/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
Springboard Series: http://technet.microsoft.com/it-ch/windows/dd361745.aspx

Invitation to IT Pro Momentum

mepprecht — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:24:02 GMT

Wanting to do Projects with New Technologies? It sounds exciting, but does have an element of risk.

Why does one want to be an Early-Adopter of new Technology?

Generally, new technologies have new, and marked improvements in features. In most cases, real-world problems and requirements are solved by a new version of software, and sometimes things are just easier and faster than in the past.

How and we (Microsoft) help you?

The IT Pro Momentum Program was designed with that in mind. By Invite, you get access the the Project Portal where you can profile your projects, and have access to Exclusive Information, Training, Product Downloads and Support.

Is such a program for me?

It depends on how many of the following questions you can answer to your satisfaction:

Does new Technology Interest me?
Do I want, and need Support during the Evaluation of the various Products?
Am I not scared to try out the Products and Solutions (in a test environment at least) with Beta Products?
Do I want to give feedback about the Products to the Development Teams (bugs, features and new ideas), and also my experiences in deploying the product?

Target Audience

Targeted with this program are Small and Medium Sized Business (SME) and Microsoft Partners that do not have regular and dedicated contact/support from Microsoft. For Large Enterprises, other programs like TAP (Technology Adoption Program) and RDP (Rapid Deployment Program) are more suitable, but do not exclude you from IT Pro Momentum.

What will I as a participant get?

It depends on the stage of you Project.

Evaluation Phase
You get access to technical content and dedicated forums. You also have access to Online Trainings.
Planning Phase
You receive a 1 year subscription to TechNet Plus and access to the product setups.
Pilot Phase
You have the opportunity to request free help from Microsoft Support up to a a maximum of 1 year for the product you are Piloting to help you quickly solve issues that you have.
Deployment Phase
You project is virtually complete and here comes our ask of you.

What do we (Microsoft) gain from this?

Firstly, we want to hear from and about you and your Projects you are planning to, or currently working on, and help you where possible. For some, it may be very interesting to be profiled, either on a Blog or a Case Study, to show the world and your colleagues what you achieved. At the same time, share your experiences with the community and prove your competency.
Secondly, we have customers who have deployed, and are happily using our Products!

Products and Technologies for the Year 2009 in IT Pro Momentum (Not product shipping dates and is subject to change)

How do I get invited (or have questions)?

Contact Michael Epprecht, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Switzerland via e-mail or the Contact Form.
If you are not based in Switzerland or Lichtenstein, we will pass your request onto the responsible IT Pro Evangelist in your region if IT Pro Momentum is offered in your region.

Microsoft Surface – 20min Online has a look at it

mepprecht — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:14:53 GMT

The Swiss daily newspaper 20minuten Online had a closer look at the Microsoft Surface. See the Article and Video (German) here:

http://www.20min.ch/digital/hardware/story/PC-der-Zukunft-erfordert-Fingerspitzengefuehl-18929865

Special Swiss Internet Explorer 8 Add-Ons

mepprecht — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:49:17 GMT

Special Swiss Add-Ons for Internet Explorer 8 are now available. Accelerators, Web Slices and Search Providers from Ricardo.ch, Local.ch and Tilllate.ch can be downloaded from here.

There are also Videos showing their functionality.

Blogs by Microsoft Switzerland

mepprecht — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:12:44 GMT

Sometimes you get so busy at work and at home, that you don’t have time to find the optimal resources you need for your daily job. Microsoft Switzerland has a number of blogs that may be of interest to you and your colleagues.

Swiss IT Professional and TechNet Blog (English)
http://blogs.technet.com/chitpro-en
This blog. Covering aspects that a IT Professional, from system- to database administrator, needs to know about. Covers Microsoft Technologies. A German version of this blog is also available.

Schweizer IT Professional und TechNet Blog (German)
http://blogs.technet.com/chitpro-de
The same content as this blog, but in German.

Microsoft Switzerland Security Blog (English)http://blogs.technet.com/ms_schweiz_security_blog
A Blog covering Security, not only Microsoft centric.

Microsoft Switzerland Academic Team Blog (English)
http://blogs.msdn.com/swiss_academic_team
Information for Students and other Academics at High Schools, Universities and Technical Schools in Switzerland.

Swiss MSDN/Developer Team Blog (English)
http://blogs.msdn.com/swiss_dpe_team
Development topics; Web, RIA, .NET, Mobile, Silverlight, Azure and Partner information.

SwissSecurityDay 2009

mepprecht — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Today is SwissSecurityDay.

The information campaign educates the Swiss population on how to work securely with their computer. With 5 easy steps, basic security procedures will be shown, to keep users secure on the Internet. In the center of the Partner driven activities, are regional education offers on how to use the 5 easy steps of self-protection. The Partners are a large number of Large and Small companies, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Schools, Service Providers, Manufactures and Swiss Government.

As part of the SwissSecurityDay 2009, FREE trainings will be provided around Switzerland, including Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, Luzern, Münchenstein, Zug, Basel, Bern and Fribourg.

TechDays 2009 – Have You Registered Yet?

mepprecht — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Have you registered yet for the Swiss TechDays 2009? If not, you do not have much time left and space is running out!

1-2 April 2009 Geneva
8-9 April 2009 Bern

http://www.techdays.ch

For the IT Pro’s, Current and interesting topics like Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization, System Management, SQL Server, Access Control and ForeFront are covered by by both Microsoft and External Experts.

BPOS – The Partner Website is online

mepprecht — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:45:00 GMT

BPOS is the abbreviation for Business Productivity Online Suite. From March/April 2009, Microsoft will be releasing diverse Online Services like Live Meeting, Communications Online, SharePoint Online and Exchange Online for end-customers. This is a larger step in the realization of Microsoft's S+S (Software plus Services) Strategy.

Microsoft Partners can now get skilled-up on the subject and win cool Prizes.

Business Intelligence Event - How to go from Data to Decisions

mepprecht — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:25:22 GMT

Business intelligence is even more important during these tough economic times. People have to make really important decisions and critical strategic moves.

In this one-day seminar, Rafal Lukawiecki aims to show IT Managers and BI practitioners how to improve decision making and getting the valuable business insight by using Microsoft solutions. This seminar will look at an end-to-end approach to building and delivering a Microsoft BI solution, from automated data integration and consolidation to delivering insight in reports, scorecards, and Excel. To make this seminar easier and more pleasant to follow we structured it so that the first half focuses on the goals of BI, performance management, and the knowledge worker. The second half will stress the underlying technologies and the development and deployment processes.

Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Time: 09:00 to 16:30
Language: English
Venue: Microsoft Switzerland (Zurich), Wallisellen 8304

Registration, agenda and more information:
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032404905&Culture=en-us