• Belgacom chooses Microsoft SQL Server for critical apps (case study)

    Posted over 4 years ago
    by Tom Mertens}

    Case study available in Dutch and French:

    Belgacom kiest Microsoft SQL Server voor kritieke applicaties en beheer van databases

    Bij telecombedrijf Belgacom ondersteunt Microsoft SQL Server steeds meer omgevingen, databases, gebruikers en applicaties. Het beheer gebeurt zo veel mogelijk centraal in het datacenter. De Microsoft SQL Server databases draaien 24 uur per dag, zeven dagen per week en gaan nooit offline.

    Intussen draaien er ongeveer driehonderd grote applicaties op Microsoft SQL Server, samen goed voor zowat duizend databases. Veel van die toepassingen zijn kritieke bedrijfsapplicaties die alle Belgacom-medewerkers gebruiken en die de klok rond beschikbaar moeten zijn. Dankzij Microsoft SQL Server heeft Belgacom relatief weinig mensen nodig om de databases te onderhouden. Het systeem kan zelf heel wat beheer- en parametrisatietaken uitvoeren. Bovendien is het niet moeilijk om een nieuwe SQL Server-omgeving op te zetten.

    Belgacom gebruikt Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition onder meer voor Analysis Services en Reporting Services. De nieuwste versie van Microsoft SQL Server biedt ook extra mogelijkheden op het gebied van uitbreidbaarheid, beschikbaarheid en beheer. Daardoor wordt het beheer nog efficiënter en kan Belgacom zijn hardware en middelen nog beter benutten.

    Lees meer…

    		 Belgacom confie ses applications critiques et la gestion de ses bases de données à SQL Server

    Au sein de la société de télécoms Belgacom, Microsoft SQL Server supporte un nombre croissant d’environnements, bases de données, utilisateurs et applications. La gestion en est assurée autant que possible en central dans l’infocentre. Les bases de données Microsoft SQL Server tournent 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7, sans jamais se mettre hors circuit.

    Aujourd’hui, Microsoft SQL Server supporte environ 300 grosses applications, représentant au total quelque 1.000 bases de données. Nombre de ces applications sont des solutions métier critiques qu’utilisent l’ensemble des collaborateurs de Belgacom et qui doivent être disponibles jour et nuit. Grâce à Microsoft SQL Server, Belgacom n’a pas besoin de beaucoup de personnes pour maintenir les bases de données. Le système peut effectuer lui-même nombre de tâches de gestion et de paramétrage. Il n’est par ailleurs guère difficile de mettre en oeuvre un nouvel environnement SQL Server.

    Belgacom utilise notamment Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition pour ses Analysis Services et Reporting Services. La dernière version en date de Microsoft SQL Server offre en outre des potentiels supplémentaires en termes d’évolutivité, de disponibilité et de gestion. Ce faisant, la gestion gagne en efficacité tandis que Belgacom peut encore mieux tirer parti de ses matériels et ressources.

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  • Free Online Training on Forefront Identity Manager 2010

    Posted over 4 years ago
    by Tom Mertens}

    This TechNet Ramp Up course introduces and explains the features and capabilities of Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager 2010 (FIM), and provides an overview of the solution scenarios that FIM addresses. The course format includes presentation, discussion, demonstration, and many hands-on exercises. It is intended for students who have no previous Forefront Identity Manager 2010 or Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 (ILM) experience.

    Start the Forefront Identity Manager 2010 Ramp Up course here.

    Learn more about Microsoft products such as System Center, Forefront, and Windows with these "Ramp Up" learning collections. TechNet has assembled these training material for customers to learn either by reading, watching a video, or playing with the products in our virtual labs. Following sessions are available:

  • Belgian System Center Day (hosted by SCUG)

    Posted over 4 years ago
    by Tom Mertens}

    The Belgian System Center User Group scug.be has annouced their next event: the System Center Day for which they secured some top speakers like Wally Mead, Travis Wright, Jason Buffington, four Belgian System Center MVP's and other System Center experts.

    This event will also be your opportunity to socialize with fellow System Center administrators and consultants and exchange knowledge, meet with one of the most popular Microsoft speakers of all time and have a nice lunch with the four Belgian System Center MVP's and the System Center product managers!

    Agenda

    Time Speaker Title
    08.00 - 08.30   Welcome & Coffee
    08.30 - 09.00 Alexandre Verkinderen
    Kenny Buntinx     		Keynote
    09.00 - 10.15 Travis Wright Implementing, Customizing, and Extending System Center Service Manager
    10.15 - 10.30

    Break
    10.30 - 11.30 Kurt Van Hoecke
    Ricardo Noulez     		Pre-assessment of System Center Service Manager
    11.30 - 12.30 Kim Oppalfens SCCM and that overrated DOS box replacement
    12.30 - 13.30   Hot Lunch/Walking dinner
    13.30 - 15.00 Wally Mead Software Distribution in Configuration Manager v.Next: Similarities and Changes
    15.00 - 16.00 Kenny Buntinx R3 power management: Lessons learned from the field
    16.00 - 16.15   Break
    16.15 - 17.15 Jason Buffington System Center Data Protection Manger 2010 in the Data Center.
    17.15 - 18.15 Alexandre Verkinderen
    & crew     		System Center in the Data Center
    18.15 – ...   Drink

  • BizIntelligence.TV

    Posted over 4 years ago
    by Tom Mertens}

    From the  BizIntelligence.TV blog introductory post:

    We are excited to announce the launch of BizIntelligence.TV - a new and innovative way to let industry leaders express and gain access to thought-leadership on Business Intelligence. The goal of the BizIntelligence.TV program is to start an ongoing conversation by providing compelling content from peers and industry stars.

  • Virtual Machine Servicing Tool (VMST) 3.0

    Posted over 4 years ago
    by Tom Mertens}

    The increasing use of virtual machines - for purposes ranging from support of older operating system environments to power savings - has created new challenges for IT.

    In particular, virtual machines may be left offline (stored in a non-operating state) for extended periods of time, which conserves resources when the server capacities of the virtual machines are not needed or frees up physical computing resources for other purposes.

    clip_image002However, offline machines, templates, and virtual hard disks do not automatically receive operating system, antivirus, or application updates that would keep them compliant with current IT policy. An out-of-date virtual machine may pose a risk to the IT environment. If deployed and started, the out-of-date virtual machine might be vulnerable to attack or could be capable of attacking other network resources.

    Therefore, IT groups must take measures to ensure that offline virtual machines, templates, and virtual hard disks remain up-to-date and compliant. At present, these measures involve temporarily bringing the virtual machine online, applying the necessary updates, and then storing it again.

    VMST 3.0 helps you reduce IT costs by making it easier to update your offline virtual machines, templates and virtual hard disks with the latest operating -system and application patches—without introducing vulnerabilities into your IT infrastructure.

    VMST 3.0 helps customers more effectively—and safely—manage the workflow of updating their offline virtualization environment. Using VMST 3.0, customers can now service:

    · Offline virtual machines in a SCVMM library.

    · Stopped and saved state virtual machines on a host.

    · Virtual machine templates.

    · Offline virtual hard disks in a SCVMM library by injecting update packages.

    clip_image004

    VMST 3.0 video module

    At the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

    1. Describe the challenges with updating offline virtual machines, virtual hard disks, and templates.
    2. Explain how the Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool will greatly streamline the process of servicing and updating offline virtual environment.