The Demo Showcase 2008 SMB Edition is now available for download.
This is a set of 4 comprehensive click through demonstrations designed for partners featuring 12 different Microsoft technologies working together to resolve business needs!
Scenarios:
Business Productivity
Customer Acquisition and Retention
Security and Reliability
Business Solutions
Products:
Windows Essentials Business Server 2008
Windows Small Business Server 2008
Office 2007
Windows Vista
SQL 2008
System Center Essentials 2007
Dynamics CRM 4.0
SharePoint Server 2007
Download from here!
Ciao for now :)
Some great, free SBS2008 webcasts coming soon, a series of 8!
WES02PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 1 of 8: Introduction
Presented by David Fabritius, Nicholas King and Michael Toot
Thursday, August 21, 2008
10:00-11:00am Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
Join us to get an overview of Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008, an integrated server solution that is part of the Windows Essential Server Solutions family. Designed and priced for small businesses, it integrates enterprise-class technologies at an affordable price, offering the capabilities small businesses want at a 35-45% lower cost than purchasing standalone technologies. Windows SBS 2008 offers a more secure, reliable platform that’s built on proven practices, and built to grow along with the company. Full versions of component technologies, streamlined installation, centralized management, and remote access capabilities help customers increase their business capacity at a cost-effective and manageable pace, while the Premium Edition also provides advanced support for line-of-business applications.
WES03PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 2 of 8: Planning & Installation
Presented by Nicholas King, David Fabritius and Michael Toot
Thursday, August 21, 2008
12:00-1:00pm Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
Getting the right start is important, and the setup process for Windows SBS 2008 has been specifically designed for SMB partners and customers to ensure a successful deployment. Compared to planning, designing, installing, integrating, and configuring all the component technologies that are included according to best practices, the cost of deploying SBS is dramatically lower! Even compared to previous versions of SBS, the setup process has been improved, streamlined, and reduced to just a few screens. This webcast will cover the things you need to know to successfully prepare for and install Windows SBS 2008, including supported topologies, the minimum and recommended hardware and client OS requirements, what customer information will be needed during the install, and how to use the new Answer File Generator tool to help streamline deployments. You will also learn how to address some common installation issues.
WES04PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 3 of 8: Migration
Presented by David Fabritius, Nicholas King and Michael Toot
Friday, August 22, 2008
10:00-11:00am Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
When upgrading an existing Windows server environment, having a simple yet comprehensive migration strategy is essential. In this webcast, we will discuss migrating from Windows Small Business Server 2003 to SBS 2008. We will cover what you need to do to prepare the network for migration, how to automate the installation phase, and finally how to perform the actual migration. You’ll learn about:
∙ the tasks you need to perform on the existing server;
∙ running the Migration Preparation Tool;
∙ how the Answer File Generator tool is used to initiate setup for a migration scenario;
∙ what settings and data are migrated;
∙ considerations for migrating line-of-business applications; and
∙ the answers to many of the questions that arise as part of a migration project.
Note: For additional information and resources relating to Windows SBS 2008 migration, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc527593.aspx.
WES05PAL: Academy Live - Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 4 of 8: Management, Health, & Security
Presented by Michael Toot, Nicholas King and David Fabritius
Friday, August 22, 2008
12:00-1:00pm Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
A fundamental strength of Windows SBS 2008 is the ease of administration provided by the completely redesigned, task-oriented management console. In this webcast, you will learn about the full range of functionality provided through the completely redesigned Windows SBS 2008 management console, which was created not only to simplify administration of the environment, but also to prevent common configuration mistakes and reduce the maintenance costs of managing a server environment. Topics include how to:
∙ add users and groups;
∙ create user roles;
∙ manage server storage;
∙ configure backup and perform restores;
∙ monitor the health of the environment and create health reports;
∙ monitor and manage security;
∙ and more!
WES06PAL: Academy Live - Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 5 of 8: Messaging & Collaboration Management
Presented by David Fabritius, Nicholas King and Michael Toot
Monday, August 25, 2008
10:00-11:00am Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
For many companies, e-mail has become the primary method for communicating with customers, prospects, partners, and just about everyone with whom they do business. Windows SBS 2008 includes the enterprise-class messaging features even small businesses require, such as remote access to e-mail via Outlook Web Access and support for Windows Mobile devices. In addition, more and more businesses are discovering the benefits of using collaboration technologies to increase their productivity. In this webcast, you will learn how Exchange Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 have been integrated into the Windows SBS 2008 environment, as well as how to manage and monitor these services.
WES07PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 6 of 8: Remote Access & Computer Management
Presented by Nicholas King, David Fabritius and Michael Toot
Monday, August 25, 2008
12:00-1:00pm Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
One of the most popular features in previous versions of Windows SBS is the Remote Web Workplace, a secure web portal that customers can use to check their e-mail, connect to their desktops at work, view the company’s intranet site, and even remotely manage the SBS server. And for those users who require remote functionality that’s not provided by RWW, Windows SBS 2008 makes it easy to configure VPN support as well.
In this webcast, you will learn how to manage these remote services, as well as the third-party and self-issued certificates required to establish secure connections. In addition, we’ll cover how to deploy and manage client computers in the Windows SBS 2008 environment, and other devices including printers and shared faxes.
WES08PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 7 of 8: LOB Support & Troubleshooting
Presented by Michael Toot, David Fabritius and Nicholas King
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
10:00-11:00am Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
Windows SBS 2008 Premium makes huge strides forward in the support of line-of-business (LOB) applications by including a second copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard and SQL Server 2008 Standard, enabling customers to run their LOB applications on a second physical server for enhanced performance, scalability, and compatibility. In this webcast, you’ll learn about what’s included in Windows SBS 2008 Premium Edition and the different configurations supported. We will also cover implementing additional servers in the Windows SBS 2008 environment—yes, you CAN have multiple servers in an SBS environment! And finally, we’ll explore advanced administration topics and troubleshooting tools.
WES09PAL: Windows SBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 8 of 8: Virtualization
Presented by Nicholas King, David Fabritius and Michael Toot
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
12:00-1:00pm Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-07:00)
PLC Registration Link
Live Meeting Link
Level: 300
Partner Type: CPLS, Microsoft Employee, Regional Solution Partner, System Builder, Value Added Reseller, Value Added Provider
Partner Role: Exec/Owner, Implementer
Virtualization is one of the hottest trends around, and everybody wants to learn more about it! Are you wondering when and why small businesses might care about virtualization? In this webcast, we explore virtualization for small businesses and how it relates to Windows SBS 2008. Several different configuration scenarios will be explored, for both the Standard and Premium Editions of Windows SBS 2008, and what options the different editions provide. We’ll also take a look at the implications for product licensing and deployment considerations when Windows SBS 2008 is virtualized.
The Partner Readiness team is pleased to announce the delivery schedule of the following courses
SQL Server 2008 Database Infrastructure and Scalability
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=609fbc78-d2c6-4d99-b335-3ee759b12713&site=UK&lang=en-uk
This three-day training course will help database administrators understand how to exploit the new performance, scalability, manageability and high-availability enhancements introduced in SQL Server 2008. Attendees will also learn how to exploit these capabilities, ensure application scalability and how to manage a database using new SQL Server 2008 features.
Introduction to SQL Server 2008 BI Solution Development
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=c490cfa6-8115-4087-ae8a-d20a5e0f329b&site=UK&lang=en-uk
This three day course is designed to give developers the confidence to tackle a BI project, and the content is equally relevant to SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. This should be attended by developers who are new to the Microsoft BI platform, not those who are familiar with BI development but wish to update their knowledge to SQL Server 2008.
Essential SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence for Developers
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=7138c764-6eee-40b4-80f9-cf2757aee150&site=UK&lang=en-uk
This two day course is targeted at experienced BI developers (or those who have completed the Introduction to SQL Server 2008 BI Solution Development course above) and wish to learn how to exploit the new features of SQL Server 2008 in their BI applications.
Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 Technical Training
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=f017ef3d-db86-44e9-b11b-bf9c3e219a3c&site=UK&lang=en-uk
This four day instructor-led workshop provides students with the knowledge and skills to architect and build Business Intelligence solutions using Microsoft® Office PerformancePoint Server 2007. This session covers both Monitoring and Analytics and Planning.
Microsoft is a big company. Actually, Microsoft is a huge company! And one of the most common pieces of feedback I receive from partners and customers is that it's often hard to navigate Microsoft, to keep up with all of the changes and associated information disclosures etc. My response is generally along the lines of empathy, indeed ask anyone who works for Microsoft and you'll probably get that empathy from them too :)
Fortunately, Directions on Microsoft, an independent organisation dedicated exclusively to tracking Microsoft is on hand to help everyone see the bigger picture more clearly...
You can find some sample articles here including historical organisational charts and product roadmap information. My personal current favourite (published July 2008) is the Software Plus Services and Developers article. If every little helps, this could be of value...
Ciao for now :)
Folks have been asking whether or not there will be a small business version of Windows Server 2008, and if so, when will it be available and what's going to be in it? The answer is yes, Windows Small Business Server 2008 is an all-in-one server solution recommended for organisations with up to 50 PCs available in the second half of 2008.
It provides many of the features used by larger companies, such as email, Internet connectivity, internal web sites, remote access, support for mobile devices, file and printer sharing and backup and restore.
You can find an overview and more interestingly differences between the standard and premium editions (premium is a two box application platform solution) on the main site. Also worth noting that processor and memory limits will match Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition.
Ciao for now :)
I blogged about the Partner Bot a while back and it's been in my Live Messenger contacts list ever since. It's a great resource to help signpost you to relevant information in relation to Microsoft web site content and now you could win £1,000 in Capital Bonds vouchers by asking the right question!!!
If you add Partner Bot (partnerbot@hotmail.com) to your contacts and then type "How do I ask Partner Bot the £1,000 question?" into the conversation window, you could be in with a chance to win!
Contest open to all UK registered Microsoft Partners aged 18 or over, terms and conditions apply. Closing date is April 28th 2008, good luck!!!
Ciao for now :)
Are you running a small business? Did you know that when you sign up to Microsoft Office Live Small Business you get a free web site and e-mail? Plus, everything you need to create a professional online presence, including web hosting, domain name and 100 business-branded e-mail accounts?
There's also an online contact manager to help manage sales opportunities, contact information, and track every interaction with customers. Plus, a document manager to enable storing and sharing of company documents in one central place with easy access and version control!
Finally, to enable you to collaborate and share information with customers, partners, or employees, on line password-protected workspaces are available and even a project manager tool to help plan projects, assign tasks, and monitor your progress!
Sign up for all this and more, free at http://www.officelive.com/
Ciao for Now :)
Another gem from the bLaugh team about the dangers of business blogging...
True? A few of the people commenting say that it happened to them!
Ciao for now :)
Microsoft Office Accounting is an easy to use, comprehensive accounting package that works with other Microsoft Office applications you already know. Because it works just like Word, Excel and Outlook, it's easy to learn. Anyone wanting to download the free, Office Accounting Express 2008 product should head here.
Designed for millions of startup and home based businesses, it provides a single place to manage business finances with the familiar look and feel of Microsoft Office system programs.
There's interactive insight available into business basics and more, familiarity and ease of use, office integration, digital dashboard and PayPal information. It's also possible to import information from Sage® Line50 (v11/v12) and Sage® Instant Accounts (v12).
It can help manage customers, suppliers, employees and stock alongside paying bills, tracking expenses, sending invoices and banking online!
It also provides a complete view of your business through customisable reports so you always know how you’re doing and allows you to see all your important data at a glance with the Digital Dashboard whilst also providing reminders of important deadlines, pending bills and overdue invoices...
Sounds too good to be true? Don't just take my word for it, see for yourself :)
Ciao for now!
The Microsoft Partner Demo Showcase download has been extended to include Deep Dive/Product virtual environments which are available to ALL Microsoft partners, including SBSC. Only Demo Showcase remains as the Gold/Cert benefit moving forwards...
The following are now available globally for immediate download:
- 2007 Microsoft Office System
- 47 Hands-on Labs
- 25 demonstrations
- Microsoft Forefront and System Center Demonstration Toolkit
- Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
- Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server
- Microsoft System Center Operations Manager
- Intelligent Application Gateway
- Forefront Client Security
- Microsoft Business Intelligence Demo (Data Warehousing, Reporting and Analysis, Performance Management)
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005
- Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007
Get your lovely new shiny Virtual Machine downloads here.
Enjoy :)
If, as a Microsoft Partner, you are currently building a solution that uses Open XML, then we want to make sure that everyone knows about it, worldwide! Several United Kingdom based Microsoft Gold Certified Partners have already taken the opportunity to profile the great work being done with the Microsoft Office 2007 System using Open XML technology...
To profile your product or solution that uses Open XML, you need to register it on the 2007 Microsoft Office System Solution Directory at http://www.microsoft.com/office/showcase/solutiondrive/openxml.mspx
As an added bonus, if you are a United Kingdom based Microsoft Partner and you profile your solution between now and the end of January 2008, your Open XML Solution could win you an Xbox 360™! We have ten to give away for the partners with the most interesting and innovative use of Open XML in their solution. Full details of the competition, along with terms & conditions can be found at http://isvfasttrack.co.uk/openxml.aspx
A novel new update from Sun...
Free OpenOffice with every Java RunTime update...
Before you’re tempted to install this, maybe consider the following...
Read this for a business perspective which can help understand the “productivity software” claims, for sure a contradiction in terms!!!
Microsoft Office Word 2007 and OpenOffice.org 2.2.0 Mail Merge Comparison
"I was recently employed part time by a charity which uses OpenOffice. A longtime Microsoft Word, etc., user...Mailmerge!! It only took you fifty minutes! Congratulations. It's taken me hours and hours of puzzling to the point of neurosis and I'm no nearer success."
And from a consumer perspective, would you open the door to anyone and let them in without checking first?
Proof-of-concept virus gives insight into OpenOffice.org security failings
"...it exhibits some unusual properties that provide insight into the security failings of OpenOffice and reveal attack vectors that could potentially be used in the future. The most notable aspect of the BadBunny virus is its cross-platform nature. It can successfully infect Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems and is capable of propagating itself on both Windows and Linux."
Oh, and the Google toolbar is bundled in the installation also... The Windows Live toolbar for comparison is available here.
Parkesy
A great thing happened yesterday...I saw a smorgasbord :)
I remember the first time I came across this, on a website at Microsoft. Most people would admit I have a fair handle on grammar but vocabulary...now there's something that's useful, like, mate. Now, every time I read a new word, I hit the Review tab shown at the top of the second screenshot below...
So, the "smorgasbord" bought to my mind utility companies and Star Trek films together in a symbiant circle, how bizarre! When I did research however, I learned the definition. I couldn't find it in the Thesaurus but you know what, it sounds like a feast to me!
Need to learn a new Word?
Find out more at the home of Office 2007...oh, and before you start to read the website, why not try using the ribbon bar with the tabs on at the top of the page :)
Parkesy
I tried to discover a little something to make life sweeter, when Demo Showcase 2007 was released, there were quiet whisperings and rumblings amongst some of my colleagues here at Microsoft UK. Most of them were based around apathy "What's this release gonna give us that we haven't got already?" and sometimes even, I would hear them doubt "Is it really any good?"
Well, I'm extremely pleased to say that not only has this surpassed all of my expectations, it's even convinced some of my die hard "I build my own demos thank you very much!" colleagues to use this as a base platform for their development efforts. If you were to take a look at the Demo Showcase 2007, you would find it easy to see why. So before you jump to conclusions, maybe refrain and try this for a start.
First of all, the directory structure of the organizational hierarchy has been built with long term expansion in mind...Next, implementations of key technologies such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 have been very effectively done, with Internet, extranet and intranet 'Contoso' branding attached appropriately. In addition, the twenty four scenarios that accompany the base platform package (remember, this is a fully built virtual environment so you can still go off piste if you feel the need) have all been thoroughly thought through, tested and released as Microsoft Expression simulations to allow the novice user to get a feel for what's possible.
As for other demonstration environments, was it that "You give me no sale," I hear you calling? When it comes to Demo Showcase 2007, I'm so in love with you, I'll be forever true, especially because you give me a reason why I don't need to work so hard, so maybe please, give a little respect...
And the best piece of feedback I've had so far from a partner..? Simple, an email from a partner titled Demo Showcase Simulations with a single statement in the body... "Love it!"
Ciao for now :)
You absolutely completely and utterly have to!!!
So, to create your own persona that could be ready to appear in The Simpsons head to http://simpsonizeme.com/
For my own personal enjoyment, this is me, outside the Kwik-E-Mart..!
Ciao for Now :)
