More useful webcasts for the upcoming month of October (which also happens to be my birthday month, *cough* 30th *cough*…).  All 3 of these sessions are important for a variety of reasons, but the one that interests me, straight off the bat, is the App-V Cost Savings session.  Reason being, a number of organisations are put off buying App-V, as it’s part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack for Software Assurance, meaning you need a current Windows Client license and SA to buy MDOP.  This combined cost can be perceived as quite expensive, however, with the kind of cost savings described in this session, this may be enough to prove otherwise to customers, and provide them with a much more streamlined rollout of future technology, like Windows 7.

Cross Selling Windows Server 2008 R2

Presented by Justin Graham, Kevin Watt and William Lewallen

Thursday, October 8th 2009 – 16:00-17:00 GMT

Description:

The Windows Server business group in collaboration with various business groups have developed recommendations and prescriptive guidance on how to bring product and scenario information to life and position a complete solution to customers. You have unique knowledge of the needs of the sales teams, partners, and customers in your area - combine the information in this playbook with your experience to prepare your teams for success.

Register here:

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/learning/app/management/LMS_ActDetails.aspx?UserMode=0&ActivityId=550497

Proving App-V Cost Saving to Prepare for Windows 7 Deployments

Presented by Alexander Rublowsky and Karri Alexion-Tiernan

Wednesday, October 14th 2009 – 17:00-18:00 GMT

Description:

App-V can save $155/PC/Yr in direct costs (11.6% of PC TCO) plus $125/PC/YR in user productivity gains. This session will review the results of this research to ensure you have the necessary background and understanding to successfully deliver this material in an effort to drive, Windows 7 deployment and MDOP sales and renewals in your accounts.  This savings is based on 6 customer cost studies, 45 case studies, industry analyst research, and the PC Lifecycle Cost Study (Optimized Desktop).  The sources of direct savings generated by App-V are detailed across automated deployment, patching/updates, non-standard applications, image management, PC provisioning and replacement, and installation risk, as well as productivity gains.

Register here:

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/learning/app/management/LMS_ActDetails.aspx?UserMode=0&ActivityId=553368

Why Windows Server 2008 R2 should be your and your customer’s platform of choice

Presented by Sangita Jayaraman

Thursday, October 15th 2009  - 16:00-17:00 GMT

Description:

Would you like to know how Windows Server 2008 R2 compares to the competition, in particular, Red Hat Enterprise Linux? In this session, you will see why the Windows Server R2 platform is the most competitive offering in today's marketplace. Join us for an in-depth look at the value Microsoft provides vs. Red Hat and other Linux providers and what you can expect from this partnership with Microsoft.

Register here:

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/learning/app/management/LMS_ActDetails.aspx?UserMode=0&ActivityId=553372