NZ SBSC Update : SBSC Partner Resources

2009 New Zealand Partner Awards!

nzsbsc — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:32:00 GMT

Hi All

The New Zealand Microsoft Partner Awards are back for the third year running. Again we’re looking to honour those Microsoft Gold partners, Certified partners and Small Business Specialist partners who have delivered exemplary, innovative solutions for their customers.

To ensure you’re all in the know regarding the awards – arm yourself with the following:

The Awards site and call for nominations opens 1^st of May
All entries my reach us by 5pm Friday 26 June 2009
19 award categories for 2009 (see below)
We have introduced a number of new categories, and some categories from last year have evolved. Entry forms will be available on this site after midday on Thursday May 7th.
We urge you to start promoting this to your partners.
Click here to let us know the category or categories you wish to enter and we will send the forms when they are available.
For category descriptions go here.
The 2009 Partner Awards Black Tie Dinner will be held on the 27^th of August at the Auckland Museum
Partner Awards Black Tie Dinner tickets will go on sale 1^st of July

Award Categories:

Business Productivity – Enterprise Content Management Solution of the Year

Business Productivity – Portals & Collaboration Solution of the Year

Business Productivity – Unified Communications Solution of the Year

Core Infrastructure Solution of the Year

Application Platform Solution of the Year

Software Solution of the Year

Microsoft Software + Services Solution of the Year

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Solution of the Year

Microsoft Dynamics ERP Solution of the Year

Learning Solutions Partner of the Year

Community Impact Solution of the Year

Partnering Award of the Year

Platform Partner of the Year

Reseller of the Year

Deployment Partner of the Year

Solutions Star of the Year

Licensing Star of the Year

Small Business Specialist of the Year

Microsoft Services Ready Partner of the Year

Cheers,

Brad

Microsoft New Zealand Licensing Toolkit!

nzsbsc — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:02:00 GMT

Hi all,

We have recently created the Microsoft Licensing Toolkit, a kit which contains a number of one page licensing documents that are both partner and customer ready.

Included is information on:

Different Licensing Programs available
Pricing
License Administration

To access these excellant resources and even provide feedback on what you would like to see in the toolkit visit https://www.microsoft.com/nz/licensing/toolkit.mspx

This is a great tool if you are stuck on a licensing question or you have a customer who would like easy to understand licensing resources.

Brad

SBSC Session Presentations now on Partner Portal

nzsbsc — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:31:00 GMT

Hi all,

Just a quick note, the presentations from the first three SBSC partner sessions that were held in Auckland are now availalbe for download from the partner portal here.

Make sure you check them out!

Cheers,

Brad

Happy New Year! Upcoming technical deep dive with Nicholas King, Worldwide Technical Manager for SBS and EBS

nzsbsc — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:19:00 GMT

Hi all,

Happy new year and welcome back. I hope everyone out there had a great Christmas/New Year break. I'm sure you will all agree it's great to back in the office while the sun shines down outside! Or maybe not so great?!

On Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13^th we are running separate 3 hour technical deep dive sessions on SBS and EBS.

These sessions will be run by Nicholas King, the Worldwide Technical Product Manager for SBS and EBS and will provide a great opportunity for you to meet and chat with someone involved in the development of these solutions.

The sessions will be of a highly technical nature and it is recommended that attendees have a core understanding of Infrastructure prior to registering.

Unfortunately due to Nick's tight schedule sessions will only be held in Auckland.

Session 1: Thursday February 12^th, 1-4pm, MPC room Microsoft NZ, Auckland. Register here

Session 2: Friday February 13^th, 1-4pm, MPC room Microsoft NZ, Auckland. Register here

SBS/EBS 08 Trial DVD's are here! Request yours today!

nzsbsc — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:51:00 GMT

Hi All,

We have just recieved a shipment of SBS and EBS 08 Trial DVD's in both Standard and Premium editions. These are a great resource to show potential customers SBS or EBS 08 solutions in action.

These are available free to New Zealand SBSC Partners, all you have to do is email me (email below) and let me know how many you want!

t-bradmc@microsoft.com

Cheers,

Brad

UPDATE: Microsoft Security Bulletin Release: Critical Product Vulnerability

nzsbsc — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:44:00 GMT

Hi All,

Last month we informed you of a critical update for Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows Server: MS08-067. It appears that many companies and individuals are still being infected by a number of new exploits.

The key piece of malware is named "Conficker.a" by Microsoft and "Downadup" by Symantec. If you need some evidence of the importance of this update then this go through to this Computerworld article: http://bit.ly/applyMS08-067now.

Please check that you have downloaded this security update.

Regards,

Brad

Technical Event: Take your applications to the cloud and beyond: PDC Visual Studio, Azure, Office 14 and Windows 7

nzsbsc — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:23:00 GMT

Hi all,

An event for all you developer types out there. In December we are running more MSDN Unplugged sessions throughout the country.

These sessions will share principles, practices, patterns and tools announced at the Professional Developers Conference in October.

Presented by Microsoft Developer Advisor Mike Zeff, and Microsoft Architect Mark Carroll, all attendees will recieve a PDC 2008 Top session DVD.

Registration is free. Dates and Locations below.

Auckland 8 Dec: Register

Hamilton 8 Dec: Register

Tauranga 9 Dec: Register

Hawkes Bay 10 Dec: Register

Palmerston North 11 Dec: Register

Wellington 12 Dec: Register

Note: This is a 300 Level event for Developers

Cheers,

Brad

Technical Training: EBS 08 Installation and Migration, Application and Windows Client Deployment

nzsbsc — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:25:00 GMT

Hi All,

A couple of great training events coming up, particularly for those looking to deploy EBS 2008.

Server setup.exe

This session will cover the basics of installation and migration onto Essential Business Server 2008. It is targeted at IT professionals who are deploying EBS 08 and who need to understand the migration process for a successful Small Business Server 2003 migration. Topics covered include:

EBS 08 Feature Overview
EBS 08 Migration from SBS 2003
Managing EBS 08 with System center Essentials

This session will be run by Miguel Rojas, one of our partner technical specialists, and will visit:

Christchurch: Tuesday 25^th November, 1pm-4:30pm register here
Nelson: Thursday 27^th November, 1pm-4:30pm register here
Wellington: Tuesday 2^nd December, 8:30am-12pm register here
Auckland: Thursday 4^th December, 1pm-4:30pm register here

Client setup.exe

This session will cover the basics of application and Windows client deployment technologies. There will be a focus on Office 2007 and Windows Vista deployment as well as the maintenance of the applications and operating systems. The session is ideal for IT professionals who have been deploying single applications in Windows domains but are interested in reducing their workload and moving their customers to the standard quadrant of Gartner's IT maturity model. Topics covered include:

Windows Easy Transfer and User State Migration Tools
The Windows Automated Install Kit
Office Customisation Toolkit
Terminal Services Deployment
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
Office Migration Planning Manager
Windows Deployment Services
Using Group policy to manage applications

This session will be run by Sean Dring, our Technical Specialist, and will visit:

Christchurch: Tuesday 25^th November, 8:30am-12pm register here
Nelson: Thursday 27^th November, 8:30am-12pm register here
Wellington: Tuesday 2^nd December, 1pm-4:30pm register here
Auckland: Thursday 4^th December, 8:30am-12pm register here

Regards,

Brad

SBS & EBS 08 Trial downloads now available

nzsbsc — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:09:00 GMT

Hi all,

Good news, trial downloads of both SBS and EBS 08 are now available. These are 60 day trials but can be extended 3 three times if a longer period is needed.

To download click here.

Also, we are awaiting DVD's of these trial versions and will let you know when these are in the country and how you can get your hands on them.

Cheers,

Brad

Windows Essential Server Solutions launch: IMPORTANT RESOURCES!

nzsbsc — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:46:00 GMT

Hi All,

With the official launch of WESS upon us I though I would give you an overview of some of the key resources available to you right now.

The most comprehensive would have to be the WESS page on the partner marketing centre which has a number of brilliant resources including:

Training: Product Overviews, Quick Reference Sales Cards
Campaign Builder: Direct Marketing Resources, Event Kit
Sales Accelerators: Sales presentations, Case Studies, Demos, Promotions, Business and technology assessment toolkits
Success measures: Measurement worksheet

All of these sections contain a wealth of resources on both EBS and SBS 08 and I HIGHLY recommend checking them out!

Also, early tomorrow morning (5am NZ time) there will live launch webcast on the official WESS site. This will be available for viewing at any time so you don't need to be up early to be able to see it! The webcast will be an excellant resource to show customers and will feature Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Finally, we are running four Server setup.exe sessions on Essential Business Server covering EBS features, migration from SBS 03, and managing EBS with System center essentials.

These sessions will be run by Miguel Rojas, one of our partner technical specialists and will visit:

Christchurch: Tuesday 25th November, 1pm-4:30pm: Register
Nelson: Thursday 27th November, 1pm-4:30pm: Register
Wellington: Tuesday 2nd December, 8:30am-12pm: Register
Auckland: Thursday 4th December, 1pm-4:30pm: Register

Just click the links above to register!

As always I am here to help answer any queries you may have or help you out with something so email me on t-bradmc@microsoft.com anytime.

Cheers

Brad

Windows Azure - Platform for Cloud computing & Software + Services

nzsbsc — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:37:00 GMT

Hi All,

Microsoft's platform for cloud computing and software + services was announced last week (outline below) at the professional developers conference. The platform combines cloud based developer capabilities with storage, computational and networking infrastructure services, all hosted on servers operating within Microsoft's global datacenter network. Not my area of expertise but certainly very important given the way the industry is moving.

There are already a number of resources if you are wanting to get up to speed on this including:

More to come on this in the following weeks I'm sure.

Cheers,

Brad

Virtualisation and Windows Small Business Server 2008

nzsbsc — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:02:00 GMT

Hi all,

Just been posted on the official SBS blog that the documents on using Hyper-V with Small Business Server 2008 are now available in the Windows Small Business Server Technical library. These documents provide an overview of the use of Virtualisation in a SBS 08 environment, and discuss scenarios in which SBS 08 supports Hyper-V technology.

To view this document click here.

Also, please make yourself aware of the known issues by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Cheers

Microsoft Security Bulletin Release: Critical Product Vulnerability

nzsbsc — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:11:00 GMT

Hi All,

Apoligies for the lack of posts and the delay in getting this out, had to have my appendix out last week so spent the week resting up, not a great experience!

Details of Security Alert:

This alert is to provide you with an overview of the new security bulletin released (out of band) on October 23, 2008. Microsoft has released security bulletin MS08-067, Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644), to address a vulnerability in all currently supported versions of Windows. This security update was released outside of the usual monthly security bulletin release cycle in an effort to protect customers.

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Server service. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected system received a specially crafted RPC request. On Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without authentication to run arbitrary code. It is possible that this vulnerability could be used in the crafting of a wormable exploit. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that the Server service handles RPC requests.

Recommendations

Microsoft recommends customers prepare their systems and networks to apply this security bulletin immediately once released to help ensure that their computers are protected from attempted criminal attacks. For more information about security updates, visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect.

New Security Bulletin Technical Details

Identifier	MS08-067
Severity Rating	This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Impact of Vulnerability	Remote Code Execution
Detection	Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer can detect whether your computer system requires this update.
Affected Software	All currently supported versions of Windows
Restart Requirement	The update requires a restart.
Removal Information	· For Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003: Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility · For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008: WUSA.exe does not support uninstall of updates. To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, click Control Panel, and then click Security. Under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
Bulletins Replaced by This Update	MS06-040 is superseded on these operating systems: Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP X64, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Windows Server 2003 X64, Windows Server 2003 SP1 for Itanium-based Systems.
Full Details:	http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx

Regarding Information Consistency

We strive to provide you with accurate information in static (this mail) and dynamic (Web-based) content. Microsoft’s security content posted to the Web is occasionally updated to reflect late-breaking information. If this results in an inconsistency between the information here and the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content, the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content is authoritative.

Any queries let me know,

Brad

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Best Practices Analyser Download

nzsbsc — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:58:00 GMT

Just been announced on the official SBS Blog that the SBS 2008 Best Practices Analyser (BPA) is now available. This is a downloadable tool which examines a server that is running SBS 08 and presents a list of information and errors the administrator should review as well as a recommendations or possible solutions. This release follows the highly popular SBS 2003 BPA and comes at a good time, 3 weeks out from the official launch of the porduct.

To download simply click here

Cheers,

Brad

TechNet & MSDN Unplugged Events: Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V deployment, Vista Deployment, Visual Studio Tips and Tricks

nzsbsc — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:48:00 GMT

Hi All,

In November we are running the final Unplugged sessions for 2008 with both TechNet and MSDN streams. These sessions will be heavily technical so suitable for any of you technical gurus out there! Sessions will be run in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, info and registration links below.

TechNet Update

Key Audience: Technical

Topics: Windows Vista Deployment, Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and System Centre Virtual Machine Manager deployment

Session Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Christchurch: Tue 11th Nov: Register

Wellington: Thu 13th Nov: Register

Auckland: Tue 18th Nov: Register

MSDN Update

Key Audience: Developer

Topics: Next generation Client Windows and Web, Visual Studio Tips and Tricks

Session Time: 1:30pm-5:00pm

Christchurch: Tue 11th Nov: Register

Wellington: Thu 13th Nov: Register

Auckland: Tue 18th Nov: Register

Cheers,

Brad