SBS stuff and then some...

How much longer will SBS 2003 be available after the launch of SBS 2008?

Sonal Gathani — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:43:55 GMT

Hmm... good question.... here's what I've been told from our wonderful friends at Corp...

In Volume Licensing SBS2003 R2 media will be available until the version following SBS 2008 is released, however SBS 2003 (R2) license SKU's for sale will all go away when 2008 hits the price list. Customers have downgrade rights in Volume Licensing, so there’s no need to keep the 2003 license SKU's on the price list.

For FPP, SBS 2003 R2 SKUS will discontinue 60 days after software has RTM’d.

For OEM MNA/ROY it is 12 months after SBS 2008 that SBS 2003 (R2) will be discontinued/EOL on the OEM license. I need to get back to you for the system builder license. It's worth noting that this is the guidance we provide to the OEM's.

Hope that helps

Cheers,

Sonal

SBS 2008 materials...

Sonal Gathani — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:04:16 GMT

So 400 plus partners are now back in the UK after a 'super exciting' SBS and EBS launch at the Microsoft WW Partner Conference. I've spent quite a few months now talking to the partners, and capturing feedback (pre and post Partner Conference) and I hear you... We've been slow on getting out stuff to help you be successful with SBS 2008... but now with the availability of RC1 coming up and the WW Partner Launch just gone by, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from us around the launch.

So we start with something called a 'Learning Path' on the Microsoft Partner Centre. Microsoft create learning paths to help partners navigate and find their way through the ~~info overload~~ breadth of resources that are available around Microsoft products. I'm pleased to announce that for the first time we have a learning path for the WESS family of products - SBS 2008 and EBS 2008. For now, some of you may have seen some of the the content already at SMB Summit but watch this space as we make more content available to you over the upcoming weeks.

Thanks,

Sonal

Launch dates confirmed! SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 to be launched 12th Nov 2008

Sonal Gathani — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:32:48 GMT

So we finally have the long awaited official dates for the launch of SBS and EBS, which were announced on Monday at the Microsoft WW Partner Conference in Houston. We also now know that the RC1 candidate is now being reached for both SBS and EBS, and these will be available here at www.multiplyyourpower.com.

SBS (previously code-named Cougar), and EBS (previously code-named Centro) are both a part of the new Windows Essential Server Solutions (WESS) family brand name, which is a family of integrated, all-in-one IT solutions designed and priced for small and midsized businesses.

We still don't have the UK pricing, but the official Microsoft pricing for SBS and EBS was announced earlier this year in May.

Microsoft UK are working on finalising the UK launch event date - watch this space for more info!

Thanks, and have a great day - do give me a shout if you have any questions

Sonal

SBS - Upgrades and Migration

Sonal Gathani — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:24:36 GMT

I was inspired by a partner who emailed me this week and said, 'The more bluntly you say "There is no upgrade, either new, or swing migration" the simpler and better'. So whilst David, Nicholas King and many others have been trying to get the message out, many of you are still wondering about upgrades and migrations from SBS 2003 to SBS 2008. So here it is.

In essence:

- Upgrades are not designed or tested for SBS as the architecture change from 32-bit to 64-bit doesn't allow for this

- Official Microsoft Migration documents and other details are available here at the Windows SBS 2008 Technical Library. Migration is not supported from build to build, but it is still possible. Check out Nicholas King's blog for more info, and find the step-by-step migration instructions here.

(I'm probably the least technical person on the planet, maybe apart from my mum, so the best I can do is point you in the right direction- hope that helps)

Cheers, and let me know what else you're looking for.

Sonal

What do you want to see at the UK SBS 2008 Launch?

Sonal Gathani — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:06:41 GMT

In May 2006 we had a server event for guys (and gals) who sell server - specifically Small Business Server. We split the event into two - the morning event was for those who were new to selling SBS and the afternoon track was for those who already have a great deal of experience in selling SBS. Both sessions went down a storm where we covered off all sorts from market analytics to Windows Mobile with SBS. With the learnings from that event and feedback from YOU, we're hoping to do it again - but better.

So, while James tries to uncover how you want your content delivered, I'm keen to understand what exactly it is that you need from us. And it may seem obvious to you. But tell me anyway. As we plan the UK launch event for around the September/October timeframe, it would be really helpful to hear from you on what you need from us - either at the potential launch event, or before that via webcasts.

So give me a shout. Email me: sgathani@microsoft.com. Call me: 07837383519. Whatever works. But give me a shout and let me know what you'd like to see around SBS or EBS at the 2008 launch event. I really do want to hear from you.

Slides from the MS visit to some of the SBS partner groups

Sonal Gathani — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:44:00 GMT

No idea why we call them 'user groups' when they are filled with partners! Anyhoo before I go off on a tangent, as promised I've finally got around to uploading the slides we presented with when we recently went around to a few of the SBS partner/user group meetings. They are basically an overview of the WESS (Windows Essential Server Solutions) family - stuff some of you already know but I've still had request for the content, so here it is in my brand spanking new WESS Content folder on Windows Live Sky Drive (5GB free online storage).

Thanks,

Sonal

Offers with SBS 2003 R2

Sonal Gathani — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:06:00 GMT

So it seems that many of you don't know about the offers in the market around SBS 2003 R2. Here's a quick summary:

Offer One: Deploy SBS 2003 R2 with SA and earn up to a $200 rebate. With SBS 2008 on the horizon, there's never been a better time to sell SA with SBS and line up your revenue streams. T'c and C's can be found here. Be sure to deploy before 31st October and claim your rebate at www.sbsrebate.com. Remember that whilst SA allows a free SBS 2008 license upgrade, your customers will need to migrate to SBS 2008 from SBS 2003 R2 as an in-place upgrade will not be supported.

Offer Two: As if one offer isn't enough, this one is a no brainer - but you need to be quick on this one, it ends on 30th June 2008. Provide on site deployment services for SBS 2003 R2 and you can claim back upto $225 services rebate or a 5 CAL pack. Check out www.sbsoffer.com - all that's needed is the number of the Certificate of Authenticity and your onsite installation service customer invoice.

Cheers, and shout if you need more info,

Sonal

And so it begins...

Sonal Gathani — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:31:00 GMT

Problem solving occurs when we do not how to advance from a given state to a desired goal state. I never thought I'd see the day where I would start blogging. But I need a way to communicate with the world. Specifically, the SBS world and its network of Small Business specialists in the UK. So in the upcoming months you'll be seeing from me, the product manager, some official updates and some less official thoughts, insights and hopefully resources on all things not just SBS, but also EBS - the new Windows Essential Business Server.

And so it begins...

Sonal