Desktop Deployment Planning Services (DDPS) can help an organization deploy Microsoft Office or Windows software to increase usage, improve productivity, and lower costs. Your DDPS consultant collaborates with the customer to create a comprehensive deployment plan that includes analysis, business case, process, and technical procedures.

The service is based on the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment and best practices from Microsoft. The objective is to help reduce the cost and complexity associated with high levels of process and automation. The number of engagement days is 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15—as determined by your Software Assurance coverage.

NEW! DDPS Now Supporting Windows 7!

DDPS version 3.5.1 provides partners supporting deployment tools for 2007 Office, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. DDPS version 3.5.1

- Program Materials ‒ Videos ‒ Hydration Tools ‒ Delivery Guidance ‒ Presentations ‒ Leave-Behind CD ‒ Demo Scripts ‒ Deliverables ‒ Packing List

The latest versions of DDPS are more flexible and 'templatized' to address the most common customer scenarios and deployment opportunities - optimizing existing or available Microsoft technologies.

With DDPS, the partner can enable large customers to assess and evaluate the business value of upgrading their Microsoft Office and Windows software, and to deploy new versions more easily. Focus on “zero touch” methodologies to automate deployments and patching.

Customer Value: Reduces cost and complexity of software deployment with expert planning and automation tools delivered by certified and qualified partners, which increases IT productivity.

Partner Value: You can offer additional services and integration points to your existing customers, and get paid by Microsoft to deliver deployment planning to qualified customers.

Info on the Partner Portal : https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40028913 

DDPS Resources : https://iwsolve.partners.extranet.microsoft.com/psb/Resources.aspx 

How to become a DDPS Partner : https://iwsolve.partners.extranet.microsoft.com/psb/Engagementprocess.aspx 

DDPS certification exams:

• DDPS Certification Exam (74-139)

MS Learning Exam 74-139 is based on the Standard Edition of the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployments (BDDA) Version 2.5. It is the existing DDPS certification exam for consultants on Windows XP and Office 2003 remains. The materials covered in the exam include knowledge of successful desktop deployment project management, and technologies and tools included within the Standard Edition of the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployments.

• DDPS Certification Exam (70-624)

MS Learning Exam 70-624 is the TS exam testing based on the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployments 2007 (BDD 2007). The new DDPS certification exam for consultants launched February 14th. The materials covered in the exam include knowledge of successful Windows Vista and 2007 Office desktop deployment project management, and technologies and tools included within the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployments 2007.

Welcome to this new blog targeted at  Microsoft partners in Belgium. Goal of this blog is to distribute all partner related readiness information on Microsoft products.

Recently published on TechNet & MSDN Subscriber Downloads:

Office Professional Plus 2010 beta

• MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=1:383
• TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=1:383

SharePoint Server 2010 beta

• MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=42:393
• TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=42:393

SharePoint Foundation 2010 beta

• MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=42:395
• TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx?pv=42:395

Update 18 November: Customers can now get the public beta at http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/default.aspx

Based on the interviews with the nine existing customers, Forrester constructed a TEI framework for a composite organization and the associated ROI analysis illustrating the financial impact areas. As seen in Table 1, the ROI for our composite company, computed from hard benefits, is 48% with a breakeven point (payback period) of less than six months after deployment.

Exchange 2010 Business Value: The study provides a clear list of Exchange 2010 value-proposition points. Here are the key benefits mentioned in the report:

• Cost avoidance of storage
• Reduced cost of high availability and disaster recovery
• Savings in backup systems and staff
• Fewer help desk or support calls
• Cost reduction of extending mobility
• Enhanced message filtering
• Simplified compliance and legal eDiscovery
• Voicemail cost avoidance

The white-paper has 3-year projected present value estimations. Consider this document a great starting point to build the business case for Exchange 2010 with your customers.

Get the whitepaper at :  http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/5/0/75068B44-0A70-4BBF-9824-01ECF076F7AE/TheTotalEconomicImpact_pdf_11042009.pdf

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Evaluation Guide for IT Professionals

This evaluation guide is designed to give the IT professional an introduction and overview of the SharePoint Server 2010 features that are most pertinent to installing, managing, and configuring the SharePoint farm.

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Professional Developer Evaluation Guide and Walkthroughs

This evaluation guide is designed to give you an overview of the feature set and extensibility points for Microsoft SharePoint 2010 and an understanding of how the professional developer can use these features and extensibility points to create comprehensive solutions.

Additional Resources

• Official SharePoint 2010 website
• Video highlights of SharePoint Conference 2009
• Getting started with SharePoint 2010 development series:
• Module 1: Getting Started: Building Web Parts in SharePoint 2010
• Module 2: What Developers Need to Know About SharePoint 2010
• Module 3: Building Blocks for Web Part Development in SharePoint 2010
• Module 4: Accessing SharePoint 2010 Data and Objects with Server-Side APIs
• Module 5: Accessing SharePoint 2010 Data and Objects with Client-Side APIs
• Module 6: Accessing External Data with Business Connectivity Services in SharePoint 2010
• Module 7: Developing Business Processes with SharePoint 2010 Workflows
• Module 8: Creating Silverlight User Interfaces for SharePoint 2010 Solutions
• Module 9: Sandboxed Solutions for Web Parts in SharePoint 2010
• Module 10: Creating Dialog Boxes and Ribbon Controls for SharePoint 2010
• SharePoint 2010 Upgrade Resource Center on MSDN
• SharePoint 2010 Community on MSDN

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