SQL & BI : Product Info

SQL Server 2008

EmmaB — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:29:15 GMT

Want to know more about the features in SQL Server 2008 around BI?

Take a look at this whitepaper....

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/whitepapers/sql_2008_bi.mspx

Included in This Document:

Introduction
Unifying Data Storage and Access
Building and Managing Sophisticated BI Solutions
Extending the Reach of Your BI Solution
Conclusion

Whats new in SQL 2008?

EmmaB — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:19:24 GMT

To find out we have introduced 3 new modules of the what’s new in SQL Server 2008 eLearning

Take the Microsoft free eLearning Collection 6187: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008

In this 3 hour on-line collection, IT Professionals will learn about the new features in SQL Server 2008. Topics covered within these clinics include:

· What's New in SQL Server 2008 for Enterprise Data Platform

· What's New in SQL Server 2008 for Business Intelligence

· What's New in SQL Server 2008 for Database Development

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=139087

Performance Point is now on Volume Licencing

EmmaB — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:44:56 GMT

See more @ www.microsoft.com/performancepoint

Please see below the relevant information to get started.

In addition there is lots of helpful documents... check out the Office Developer Portal and TechCenter for deployment and operations guides, technical whitepapers and ‘how-to’ help and tips.

Finally, look out for the PerformancePoint Server books and online training webcasts, as they should help you get started!

Licensing

Find answers to your licensing questions

· PPS licensing site

· Volume Licensing site

Collateral Update

· New! PerformancePoint Server TechNet webcasts

· New! Upcoming PerformancePoint Server online training

· New! Pre-order PerformancePoint Server book on Monitoring and Analysis

· New! Pre-order PerformancePoint Server book on Planning

2007 PASS Community Summit

EmmaB — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:25:36 GMT

Why attend Summit 2007?

Network with other industry professionals to build your professional & personal network, select from over 125 technical sessions on SQL Server & Business Intelligence, research the newest products & services available at the large PASS Summit expo

Find out more

TechEd IT Forum 2007

EmmaB — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:33:59 GMT

TechEd IT Forum is Microsoft's European conference providing IT professionals with technical training, information & community resources.

When? 11th- 16th Nov

Where? Barcelona, Spain

Early Bird discount until 28th Sept 2007.

There will be a number of sessions on SQL Server & BI.

Find the sessions here

4 cool new features in SQL Server 2008

EmmaB — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:47:45 GMT

Here is a good summary of cool new features as per latest Community Technology Preview (CTP) for SQL Server 2008.

Article here

Oracle charges for extra functionality

EmmaB — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:38:22 GMT

Oracle has released details on the pricing of its Oracle Database 11g software, disclosing that some of the most talked-about features in the new release will be sold as extra-cost add-ons.

When the vendor announced the 11g version of its database in New York, company executives spoke at length about new functionality but didn't address pricing.

Worth bearing in mind for any Partners that are comparing the costs of SQL- based solutions.

Full article here

Microsoft Partners Stake Claims in Sharepoint Goldmine

EmmaB — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:32:42 GMT

When we are talking to our Partners it is important that we highlight the opportunity around expanding the Microsoft stack. For this reason, Sharepoint is an important product for any partners in the BI space.

This article about how Microsoft partners are seeing healthy, sustained services revenue from deployments of Sharepoint Server 2007 is a great bit of evidence on the story.

Find out more about the Goldmine

SQL Server 2008 July CTP released

EmmaB — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:07:42 GMT

Today, Microsoft released the July Community Technical Preview (CTP) for SQL Server 2008. The release makes available several performance and feature enhancements designed to support customers’ mission-critical platform and enable pervasive insight across the enterprise.

The release of the July CTP continues the strong momentum of SQL Server 2008, which is on track to RTM in Q2 of CY08.

In addition, we have made available a ton of new content on SQL Server 2008 for our customers and partners. The content is focused around key “workloads” for SQL Server 2008 specifically – OLTP, Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, Server Consolidation and Data Programmability. (see below for details)

Just take a look here: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/futureversion/default.mspx

You can download the SQL Server 2008 July CTP at: http://connect.microsoft.com/sqlserver/

What’s new by CTP

· Features organized by pillar

· June CTP Feature-focused LiveMeetings

SQL Server 2008 Overview Whitepapers

· SQL Server 2008 What’s New

· Business Intelligence

· Data Warehousing

· Data Programmability

· Online Transaction Processing

· Server Consolidation

SQL Server 2008 Video Presentations

· Microsoft SQL Server Data Platform Vision – SQL Server Expert Series

· Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Pervasive Insight Vision – SQL Server Expert Series

· SQL Server 2008 Data Warehousing Vision – SQL Server Expert Series

· Enterprise Data Platform Vision – SQL Server Expert Series

· SQL Server 2008 Dynamic Development Enhancements – SQL Server Expert Series

· SQL Server 2008 ADO.NET – SQL Server Expert Series

· SQL Server 2008 Beyond Relational – SQL Server Expert Series

· Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Data Mining Enhancements – SQL Server Expert Series

SQL Server 2008 On-Demand and Scheduled Webcasts and LiveMeetings

· The Next Release of Microsoft SQL Server: Overview

· The Next Release of Microsoft SQL Server: Data Warehousing Enhancements

· SQL Server 2008 Data Management Overview

· The value of Business Intelligence with SQL Server 2008

· Server Consolidation with SQL Server

· The Next Release of Microsoft SQL Server: Manageability Overview

· Microsoft SQL Server 2008: Beyond Relational

SQL Server 2008 Learning Resources

· MS Learning Clinic 7045: What's New in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008

· SQL Server 2008 Books Online

SQL Server 2008 launch gadget

EmmaB — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:44:48 GMT

Count down the days!!!!

A gadget for SQL Server 2008 is available to countdown to launch http://www.wedsg.com/winclient/vistasidebargadget/download.htm

SQL Server 2008 launch date announced

EmmaB — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:39:48 GMT

In case you missed it - at the recent Worldwide Partner Conference we announced the date for the joint launch of SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008......

In anticipation for the most significant Microsoft enterprise event in the next year, Kevin Turner announced that Windows Server^® 2008, Visual Studio^® 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server™ 2008 will launch together at an event in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2008, kicking off hundreds of launch events around the world. As the next wave of innovation from Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business, these three products will provide a reliable and security-enhanced enterprise platform, serve as the foundation for the next generation of Web-based service applications, and broadly support virtualization and business intelligence. Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 represent tremendous opportunities for partners and customers, and as part of the launch wave throughout 2008, Microsoft is planning extensive and far-reaching IT pro, developer and partner outreach, including worldwide training, online and virtual events, as well as myriad resources that will be made available in the coming months to help ensure partners and customers are ready to capitalize on the new benefits offered by these products.

From a SQL Server perspective, we did give more details that SQL Server 2008 would release in Q2 CY2008 (after the launch). For more details look here http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/futureversion/default.mspx

Have you met the Partner Bot?

EmmaB — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:54:32 GMT

Partner Bot is an Instant Messenger 'data digger', which quickly retrieves partner-related information and shows you where you can find the answers you need. Simply type in your question and Bot will bring back an instant response. Add Bot as a buddy in your Windows Live Messenger contacts and it will always be available whenever you're logged in. Whether you're looking for support options, searching for competitive information or want to learn more about products, you can ask Partner Bot and it will point you in the right direction.

(Please be aware that Bot may guide you to areas of the Partner Portal which can only be accessed by Registered, Certified or Gold Partners, so you may need to sign-in to view this information.)

How Do I Add Partner Bot to My Contacts?

· Log-in to Windows Live Messenger

· Click on 'Add a Contact' icon

· Add partnerbot@hotmail.com into Instant Messaging Address

Named!

EmmaB — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:54:24 GMT

Microsoft has announced the official names for the next release of the SQL database and Visual Studio ........

SQL Server 2008 & Visual Studio 2008 !!!!

Ok so that wasn't a major revelation, but at TechEd 2007 conference held in Orlando this week there was more info......

The delivery of the first SQL Server 2008 Community Technology Preview (CTP) is now available for customer download at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/futureversion/default.mspx

The acquisition of Dundas Data Visualization Inc.’s Data Visualization products, which provide rich charting within SQL Server Reporting Services, enabling users to create information-rich reports and applications

There is also a TechEd webcast of Dave Campbell’s Katmai Overview presentation at:

TechNet Webcast: The Next Release of Microsoft SQL Server: Overview (Level 200)

"Katmai" Anchor for BI Strategy

EmmaB — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:00:21 GMT

The first Microsoft BI Conference has taken place and as expected there have been some announcements!

Take a look at this summary on Microsoft Watch.

"Today, during its Business Intelligence Conference, Microsoft affirmed that next version SQL Server, code name Katmai, would ship in 2008. Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft's Business division, described SQL Server as the "base" for the company's business intelligence strategy.... "

Article here

Microsoft authorised distributors

EmmaB — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:46:17 GMT

Partners often ask me about licence pricing and how to supply software for their customers. If you're a reseller or system builder, we recommend that you buy software from one of our authorised distributors in the UK and Europe.

This web page shows Microsoft authorised product distributors in the UK and Ireland, with contact details. It also shows the types of licence authorised distributors can sell - Full Packaged Product (FPP), Open (OL), Open Subscription (OSL) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) licences.

Find them here

At the bottom of this web page you can download a comprehensive spreadsheet of global products including volume levels, versions and parts numbers.