The wonder that is the Microsoft Office system : Office System stuff

Office takes over MSN UK

SteveMarsh — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:46:13 GMT

This was really cool when they did it a few weeks ago. Have a look at the UK MSN page tomorrow to see the effect of 'Live Preview' and other things 2007 Microsoft Office flavoured.

News, Music, Movies, Money, Cars, Travel, Games and more from MSN UK

Register 'Reads' for Office SharePoint Server 2007

SteveMarsh — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:48:01 GMT

The Register has compiled a list of suggested reading on MOSS. I can't endorse any particular book but the Register has provided a brief overview of each title.

http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2007/06/20/register_books_june/

I'm Back

SteveMarsh — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:04:00 GMT

I've been having one of those times recently when you know you have to do something (e.g. blogging) but you put it off for a couple of days, then a couple more, then push it to the end of the week, then the next and before you know it a couple of months have passed. Not good. Rather than start writing a list of things that I should have blogged about recently I thought you've probably read a few post from various bloggers over the last few minutes so I thought I'd treat you to a video instead.

Video: Nightmare

20 of the Fantastic 40

SteveMarsh — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:57:09 GMT

They're here!!! (Well some of them are anyway.)

A number of partners have been asking me recently about when the new SharePoint 3.0 templates will be available. The ggod news is that 20 of the fantastic 40 are available for download now!

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sharepoint/wssapps/templates/default.mspx

Calling all Partners!!!!

SteveMarsh — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:00:00 GMT

The Partner Readiness Team is pleased to announce the release of the BPIO University - Partner Sales Readiness Workshop. The first delivery for this course starts on the 22^nd January so please sign up as soon as possible.

The Business Productivity Infrastructure Optimization (BPIO) University - Partner Sales Readiness Workshop is a 2-day in-depth, instructor-led sales readiness workshop for enterprise and mid-market partners. This sales training helps partners to understand how to develop customer conversations around the new 2007 Microsoft Office system and how to sell using the Business Productivity Infrastructure Optimization customer campaign tools. Focused on three main capabilities—Unified Communications & Collaboration, Enterprise Content Management, and Business Intelligence—this BPIO course features Microsoft marketing strategies, field priorities, and technology capability training. Partners will also learn how to execute their own BPIO customer campaigns and selling activities independently. This course is targeted towards Microsoft SI and ISV partners and sales and technical pre-sales support personnel.

The agenda for this unique 2-day course includes:

- Customer Campaigns, CES and BPIO Model, and Enterprise Search
- Unified Communication & Collaboration
- Enterprise Content Management
- Business Intelligence

Enrol your partners now using the new Partner Learning Centre

This course is the first to be released on the new UK Partner Learning Centre. This replaces the existing Training and Events Centre and UK Events Site with immediate effect. The new Partner Learning Centre will vastly improve the partner experience in helping them find, review and track attendance on all training courses (online and classroom).

To enrol:

All individuals wishing to access the UK Partner Readiness resources will need:

a. A Windows Live ID

b. To associate their Windows Live ID with their Partner ID :- instructions can be found here

This link to enrol can then be used, or partners can search on the course ID 44Wk001 or ‘BPIO’. If partners have any issues enrolling, please ask them to call the UK Partner Learning Centre Support number 0870 8509442 or mailto:ukplc@microsoft.com.

Business Evolution - We're coming to show you!

SteveMarsh — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:53:46 GMT

I did think about putting this post as Oooohhh Pretty Mk2!!!!!!!!!! The registration page for the Exchange Server 2007, Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 system road show. Our new registration page is now live. Events are filling up fast so register as soon as possible. More dates are to be announced soon including events 'north of the Border'. (Woohoo, trip home & Scotland 1 France 0)

Lights, Camera, Action

SteveMarsh — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 17:06:03 GMT

They came from TVP. A fearless group of Technology Specialists. They had trained in secret for months. They had the tools, they had the skills and now they had the technology. Their mission? To take Exchange Server 2007, Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office system to the UK Partner community.

E.V.O.

Coming soon to a cinema or conference hall near you.

Ooooohhh Pretty!!!!!!!

SteveMarsh — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:56:40 GMT

If you haven't been reading any of the UK PTS blogs (which now of course includes the legend that is James Akrigg with his views on his Geek Gland amongst other things) then you will have missed the news about the new Exchange, Vista and Office microsite for Partners complete with 'AERO like' glass effect. Mmmmmm nice.

CIOs take note - Unified Messaging saves cash

SteveMarsh — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 14:02:00 GMT

I stumbled across an interesting article on how VoIP saves companies money. One of the paragraphs on page 3 specifically calls out unified messaging- the ability to manage voices, email and fax messages from one location. It also goes on to talk about our upcoming foray into this area with the release of Office Communications Server 2007, Office Communicator 2007 and our line of VoIP devices. According to the article there is a a down side to the potential savings, namely the cost of the initial implementation or the length of time to fix problems if the system goes down. If we're looking to potentially ustilise existing network infrastructure, end-user devices and existing server hardware all backed up by MOM then I wonder how much we'll be affected by the normal downsides?

We're Still Listening but beware of false whispers

SteveMarsh — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:54:41 GMT

Looks like the rumour mills have been in overdrive over the last few days. The most amusing that I have read is "Microsoft cuts Ribbon in Office 2007" which is incorrect for 2 reasons. First, the ribbon has NOT been cut from the UI and second it's the 2007 Microsoft Office system and not Office 2007 (a minor correction but lets try to be correct here).

I stumbled across an article that talks of changes that we have made to the Ribbon in the upcoming technical refresh that have taken onboard feedback from existing beta users. It looks as though this one isn't quite as bad as the some of the other articles that are out there as it looks as though it is at least based on some correct facts.

For the truth behind these rumours about what we have changed or not changed or was there all along please pop along to Jensen's blog.

More Getting to Grips

SteveMarsh — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 23:51:00 GMT

Following on from my last post here is another link to more stuff that can get you up to speed with 2007 Office system. The e-learnings are broken down into training for Home and Office users, Developers and IT Pros.

I've not forgotten about going through the MOSS 2007/WSS v3 hands on labs and reporting back on what I think. I've been out and about speaking to a few partners about EVO (Exchange, Vista and Office) but hopefully I'll have some time soon. I hoped that on Bank Holiday Monday the need to go through the labs would get me out of furniture shopping but alas it did not and my wallet suffered accordingly.

Forms on the Move

SteveMarsh — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:25:00 GMT

I was asked recently if our plans for web based Forms capability using the new Office Forms Server 2007 would include the ability to have these forms in mobile devices. The answer is of course yes it does (see no. 10 in the top 10 benefits for using Forms Server 2007) . There is also a flash based demo that is worth a quick watch that includes the line 'fill out forms from any common web browser or mobile device' just in case you don't believe the top 10 benefits about Office Forms Server.

Dates and Dosh confirmed

SteveMarsh — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 11:37:00 GMT

Darren has blogged that we will soon see the 2007 Office release on our price lists which shows how confident we are about the release dates. I recently installed a new build of both Vista and Office and both are performing really well. Hats off to the product teams, the change in performance and stability over the last few months is fantastic.

Playtime!!!

SteveMarsh — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:40:00 GMT

The SharePoint team blog is once again sending us in the direction of some online labs. Have a look at Rich Riley’s post. I had a bit of a play around in a couple of the labs yesterday and the performance/response of the hosted VMs is pretty good and 90 minute allocation allows more than enough time to complete that lab and have a bit of a play around trying out other things. I also see that Rich made a change to one of the scripts to correct an error that I noticed when I was running through one of the labs in Seattle the other week, Sparky D may try to claim it but the messaging boy was just passing on the information from my discovery. It’s a proud moment for Marsh.

For those of you who want to get deep down and dirty with some other training, have a look at these Microsoft e-learning offerings. I’m planning to have a bash at them over the next few weeks and I’ll report back with my opinion but if you’ve already had a go at any of these then I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

When can you fit me in?

SteveMarsh — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:39:00 GMT

I'd actually forgotten about this until Sparky D starting raving about it earlier today. In the land of the PTS we quite often get asked about our availability on a certain day/week/month/year/decade. Obviously this is mainly with external parties as all my colleagues use the cool calendar overlapping feature in Outlook 2007 so they can easily see when to arrange coffee or Xbox360 time...er... I mean a very important meeting or intense brainstorming session. Rather than sending a list of days and times etc when composing an email I just hit the calendar button, select the period in question and Bob is your Mother's Brother, your Free/Busy time slots are in the mail.