Microsoft MiddleEast - Gulf IT Pro Blog : news items

Microsoft Forefront Codename "Stirling" is here.

gulf_itpro — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:49:00 GMT

“Stirling” is Here!

Microsoft's proud to announce the launch of Microsoft Forefront Code Name “Stirling” beta. “Stirling” is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, server applications and the network edge, providing simplified management and critical visibility that makes security easier to manage and control.

“Stirling” includes:

A central management console for security configuration and enterprise-wide visibility
The next generation endpoint protection: Forefront Client Security
The next generation messaging & collaboration protection:
Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Forefront Security for SharePoint
The next generation edge protection: Internet Security & Acceleration Server, to be renamed Forefront Threat Management Gateway

Go to TechNet Beta Central and to receive access to Forefront codename "Stirling" evaluation resources selected for IT Pros.

All you need to know about security

gulf_itpro — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:11:00 GMT

The TechNet Security Center provides links to technical bulletins, advisories, updates, tools, and prescriptive guidance designed to help IT pros keep Microsoft servers, desktops, and applications up to date and secure.

The free online Microsoft Security Newsletter offers the latest news for IT Pro’s, including:

· Security guides, resources and best practices

· Security Bulletins and updates

· Security tips

· Webcasts and chats, blogs, newsgroups

· Hands-On Security Labs and events

Sign up today

Providing Defense in Depth for Your Desktop Deployment Projects

gulf_itpro — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:09:00 GMT

An effective desktop security plan should address every layer, every person, every device, and every application. The desktop is the main user touchpoint into your IT services and for most organizations it is a primary storage place for sensitive information, so the policies securing the desktop are extremely important to the overall security of your organization and its data.

The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide is here.

gulf_itpro — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:08:00 GMT

The Windows Server 2008 Security Guide is here. This guide provides instructions and recommendations to help strengthen the security of computers running Windows Server® 2008 that are members of an Active Directory® domain.

Microsoft expects steep adoption of Windows Server 2008

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:31:00 GMT

Dubai: Microsoft has wrapped up a regional roadshow aimed at promoting its latest operating system for servers, Windows Server 2008. Click Here for full article from Gulf News.

Save 40 percent off Microsoft Windows Server Certification exams

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:54:00 GMT

Be one of the first to learn when exams are available by taking advantage of special discounts for launch event attendees. Register for a 40 percent discount exam voucher for Windows Server 2008 certification exams.

Microsoft / Novell Interoperability

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:44:00 GMT

Novell and Microsoft use virtualization technology to demonstrate running Novell's Linux on Windows Server, and vice versa. Click Here for details.

Special E-learning offers from Microsoft for IT Professionals

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:16:00 GMT

Microsoft E-Learning offers discounts and special offers for a limited time on select e-learning courses and collections. Take advantage of these savings to get acquainted with or master new Microsoft products and technologies. Click Here for more information.

Get a Free Ticket to watch sessions from TechEd EMEA with TechNet Plus Subscriptions

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:12:00 GMT

Subscribe to TechNet Plus or renew your current TechNet Plus subscription and get your free ticket to watch the videos of selected TechEd EMEA sessions, a highly valuable asset for your everyday challenges. Click Here for details on this exclusive offer!

Bill Gates to visit UAE for the first time in January 2008

gulf_itpro — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:58:00 GMT

Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates is to make his first visit to the UAE in January 2008. Mr. Gates will participate as the keynote speaker in "Microsoft's Government Leaders Forum Arabia 2008" which will take place in Abu Dhabi.

TechNet & MSDN Roadshow - Gaining Insight Tour 2007

gulf_itpro — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:55:00 GMT

Welcome to TechNet Flash – Gulf Edition.

The TechNet and MSDN Roadshow proudly presents the “Gaining Insight Tour 2007”.

This tour, coming to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, is packed with live demonstrations and technical content on upcoming and much anticipated solutions from Microsoft.

Get a sneak peek into technologies that include Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, .Net, Silverlight, Virtualization and more. You will also be among the first to see us unveil the new Unified Communications technologies from Microsoft – a solution that will revolutionize the way people communicate and collaborate in the workplace.

If you’re an IT Professional or a Developer looking to gain insight and an edge over others, then you’ve got no excuse to miss out on this event! You may even walk away as the lucky winner of the new X-box 360 Elite! Register Now.

Where and when

Kuwait City Movenpick Nov 14^th

Muscat Shangri La Nov 17^th

Manama Sheraton Nov 19^th

Doha Intercon Dec 9^th

Halo 3 in Middleeast!

gulf_itpro — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:01:00 GMT

'Halo 3', the final chapter of Microsoft Corp.'s epic video game trilogy, finally goes on sale across Middle East. Day-one sales of the highly anticipated video game are expected to shatter entertainment sales records and top the biggest entertainment launches of all time.

New version of Office 2008 of Mac in January

gulf_itpro — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:56:00 GMT

Microsoft Corp. will release three versions of its Office 2008 for Mac suite in January, with the most expensive of them aimed at creative professionals overwhelmed by the task of organizing their digital media files. All three versions work on Intel-based Macs and older PowerPC machines. Microsoft plans to announce the lineup and pricing at Apple Expo in Paris, France.

Microsoft discussing possible investment in Facebook

gulf_itpro — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:54:00 GMT

Setting the stage for a possible bidding battle, Microsoft Corp. is considering an investment in social networking site Facebook Inc. that would value the rapidly growing online hangout at $10 billion or more, according to a report.

Citrix Adopts Microsoft’s VHD virtualization format

gulf_itpro — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:50:00 GMT

Citrix adopts Microsoft's Virtual Hard Disk format as the common runtime environment for its Desktop Server and virtual application products. (Additional information here)