Forefront & System Center UK Partner Blog

Advanced System Center Training Now Available

2008-10-20T14:18:41Z

44HOL003 - Systems Center Specialisation - Exam Preparation Bootcamp - (SCOM and SCCM) – 17 th November This 5 day instructor-led course will help students prepare for Microsoft exam 70-400 on Configuring Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, and Microsoft exam 70-401 on Configuring Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. The course focuses on the domains covered on each exam. The course will include lecture and demonstrations by the instructor, hands-on labs for the...(read more)

MDOP Analyst Resources

2008-09-23T19:55:00Z

Quantifying the Value of Microsoft's Desktop Optimization Pack http://mediaproducts.gartner.com/reprints/microsoft/vol4/article6/article6.html How to Quantify the Value of Software Assurance for Windows Client http://mediaproducts.gartner.com/reprints/microsoft/vol4/article5/article5.html Understand the Risks of Skipping Windows Vista http://mediaproducts.gartner.com/reprints/microsoft/vol4/article4/article4.html...(read more)

"Microsoft Gains Ground With System Center Configuration Manager 2007"

2008-08-11T17:06:26Z

Gartner have published a great paper that can be used with customers to help them better understand SCCM. Available here ....(read more)

Ready to make the security jump?

2008-08-08T18:23:04Z

Over the past two years Microsoft has been steadily investing more and more in our security channel (whilst others are doing the opposite ). Between the benefits of the Security Competency and the added value of SSA, if you have yet to file your first SSA claim there has never been a better time. Until 30th September any partner submitting their first claim will receive a bonus 50% of the amount of that claim. There is more information on the SSA site ....(read more)

Forefront to Antigen - Licensing FAQ

2008-08-08T15:16:21Z

One common question from customers is around the downgrade process and options available for users who purchase Forefront but need Antigen to run on Exchange 2003 or SharePoint 2003. Exchange 2003 The customer should purchase Forefront Security for Exchange and exercise downgrade rights On MVLS search for "Messaging Security Suite" which includes Microsoft Antigen 9 for Exchange which is the current version If downloaded from MVLS Antigen 9 does not require any product key or license...(read more)

Forefront Codename "Stirling" VHDs Available Now

2008-06-18T13:45:32Z

A pre-configured VHD for the latest addition to the Forefront family has been made available for download here The full lab download weights in at around 16 gigs but you cand download individual components if you just want to test pieces of functionality. It also includes VHDs for Forefront Threat Management Gateway (ISA Server v.next)...(read more)

System Center Internal Use Licences

2008-06-02T14:58:18Z

I posted a while back about using Forefront internally. Now there are entitlements for our AI partners to use System Center internally also. The following products are eligible for internal use rights: Data Protection Manager 2007 Configuration Manager 2007 Operations Manager 2007 Virtual Machine Manager 2007 Specific information can be found here: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/competencies/40012886...(read more)

System Center Readiness Kit

2008-04-02T22:59:15Z

The readiness kit is now available to order online at https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40057196 . The kit includes 7 DVDs packed with VHDs, full tutorials, presentations and videos. Numbers are limited so make sure you order yours before they run out!...(read more)

Forefront Partner Airlift - Online Video Webcasts

2008-03-02T17:35:36Z

Content from the Forefront Partner Airlift that was held recently in Seattle has been made available online at the partner portal for registered partners. Its worth noting that over half the content at the airlift was either brand new content that had never been disclosed before or was highly confidential (such as compete information). As such what has been published online is just a small subset of the full content that was shared at the airlift. I can particularly recommend the Forefront Edge sessions...(read more)

Thoughts on AV

2008-03-02T17:26:41Z

ZDNet posted an interview a few weeks with with Gene Hodges, CEO of Websense. One part that jumped out at me was the following: Hodges said CIOs could bring in Sophos, Kaspersky and Microsoft as antivirus vendors and “kick the stuffing out of the price structure for antivirus and firewalls.” Interestingly enough, engines from all three vendors can be found in Forefront Security for Exchange Server . You can read the full article at ZDNet.com . Sandeep Modhvadia...(read more)

Forefront for Internal Usage

2008-02-12T23:14:23Z

Many partners ask how they can deploy Forefront internally for their own usage. The following table outlines what you are entitled to deploy as part of your partner benefits: PRODUCT MSSP Level Competency Forefront Client Security All Gold certified partners ALL Competencies (if the partner is at Gold Cert level Certified Partners ONLY if Partner is active in Security Solutions Competency or Advanced Infrastructure Competency Forefront Security for SharePoint ALL Gold Certified and...(read more)

New System Center Learning Path

2008-01-29T01:55:22Z

There is a new learning path for the management technologies which will be updated as more courses become available. Full information can be found here Sandeep Modhvadia...(read more)

So how is Forefront really doing?

2008-01-22T19:34:00Z

This is a question that many customers and partners ask us on a daily basis. Head over to ChannelWeb to see for yourself - http://www.crn.com/software/205801327 Sandeep Modhvadia...(read more)

Telephone Based Pre-Sales Support

2008-01-22T19:29:00Z

For our Certified and Gold Partners there are phone based specialists to help you with pre-sales questions including technology, licensing and compete information. All the Forefront and System Center products are covered by this service. In the UK they can be reached on 0870 60 70 700. Also don't forget that there is Newsgroup Support for partners. The Forefront group is located at https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40046699 Sandeep Modhvadia...(read more)

System Center ROI Tool - Pilot

2008-01-22T19:19:50Z

The System Center team have created a new ROI tool to help customers build a business case for the management technologies. You can access the tool at this link below. When you launch the tool (button in upper right), you will need to log in (or register if you haven’t accessed before). Then you will see a model called “Microsoft System Center (Pilot)”. The model will be in pilot for 4-6 weeks while we collect feedback on the costs and benefit inputs. https://roianalyst.alinean.com/microsoft/iotool/launch.html...(read more)