In preparation for the launch of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Microsoft will be visiting SBSC User groups around the country in October and November to deliver training and readiness to SBSC partners. These sessions are being run for existing user group members but are also open to new SBSC partners and / or Microsoft partners to join.

We currently have confirmed the following dates:

Date Time User Group Location User Group Lead
13th October 18:00 - 21:00 London Victoria, London Ian Watkins
16th October 18:00 - 21:00 Manchester Manchester Simon Belt
21st October 17:30 - 21:00 Kent Chatham Gareth Johns
23rd October 17:30 - 21:00 West of England Bristol Andy Watkins
30th October 14:00-17:00 Edinburgh Edinburgh Archie Bell, Ian Batty or William Fairhurst
11th November 17:30-21:00 South Wales Cardiff Tim Long & Grace Long
12th November 17:30-21:00 Midlands Birmingham Steve Wright
13th November 17:30-21:00 Thames Valley Reading Mike Bryett

We are also looking into possibly running sessions in Liverpool, Yorkshire and Humberside; and Aberdeen. Stay tuned for further information.

The agenda for each session is looking very much like this:

  • Product launch overview (60 mins)
  • Marketing 101 - Delivered by an external speaker to Microsoft (60 mins)
  • Refreshment break (30 mins)
  • The SBSC Programme - updates and expectations (30 mins)
  • Q&A (30 mins)

It is ours and the existing user group members hope that any new members attending these sessions will see the value in groups and want to continue to attend on a monthly basis. The groups regularly have interesting speakers come along to deliver training and readiness or offer unique promotions to members. They are also a great partner networking forum. To learn more about SBSC User groups see an earlier blog post or go to the SBSC "Community" section on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

If you are interested in attending any of the groups above please contact the user group lead for more information. Simply click on their name above to send them an email or alternatively email sbscuk@microsoft.com for more details.