Not another Office Blog!

More MOSS sites in the wild!

Some awesome work from our partners Vivid and SDM:

Thats Melbourne City (SDM)

Sage Automation (SDM)

National Native Title Tribunal (Vivid)

MYOB's my Business Resource Centre (HotHouse) 

Siatro

Aus Office System Forum 2008 - Melbourne - May 2nd

A bunch of very passionate Office fans, namely from the MOSSIG User Group, in conjunction with Latrobe Uni have put together this very interesting day for Office 2007 at the Bundoora Campus.

 http://www.sharepointusers.org.au/MOSSIG/OOSF2008/default.aspx

The agenda includes Redmond based Mike Fitzmaurice who is visiting as part of a world tour.

Places are limited to 70 attendees so its on a first come first served basis.

Siatro

Autocad and SharePoint integration

Have you ever had to deal with this with your customers?

Check this out: 

http://www.cadnection.com/

The high level features of CADnection are as follows:

·         Check-in/out to SharePoint libraries from AutoCAD, including Xrefs/blocks.

·         Launch AutoCAD and check-out a file directly from a SharePoint library.

·         Search for file names and contained meta-data.

·         Associate workflow/events based on file changes.

Siatro

MOSS 2007 DOD 5015.2 Certified.

I've been getting several requests from Partners and customers around the new records management certification for MOSS 2007 (DOD 5015.2) and I wanted to collate some of the information I have gathered.

First of all:

What is DoD 5015.2 Standard and why is it important?

The Department of Defense (DoD) 5015.2 Standard (STD) was born out of several process improvement initiatives and business process reengineering efforts during the early 1990’s conducted by the Department of Defense. These efforts were primarily directed at improving the preservation of official records in accordance with applicable Federal law. They were also responding to the potential loss of critical official records as a result of the growing reliance on PCs and laptop computers.

Why is DoD 5015.2 Standard certification important to Microsoft?

As Microsoft expands enterprise content management (ECM) capabilities within the Office System we are committed to the industry standards for ECM. DoD 5015.2 STD is a well know and widely adopted industry standard for records management applications in the ECM industry.

When was Microsoft certified?

Microsoft was certified on May 27th, 2007 and is listed on the JITC product register at: http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/recmgt/register.htm.

What additional functionality is delivered by the code that was built for the certification?

· File Plan Builder – This feature implements the records manager’s experience for creating locations to store records.

· Supplemental Markings – This feature implements advanced access control logic.

· Vital Review – This feature covers the review of vital records on a periodic basis.

· Multiple Locations – This feature covers uploading the same record to multiple locations.

· Folder Holds – When a SharePoint folder is placed on hold, all records in that folder must also be placed on hold.

· Close Folders – When a folder is closed, no new records can be added to that folder.

· Referencing and Linking – This feature covers linking records together according to administrator defined relationships (e.g. cross-reference).

· Metadata propagation – This feature implements the automatic propagation of metadata changes between categories, folders, and records.

· Cutoff – This feature implements cutting off a folder such that disposition processing can begin on the folder.

· Unique ID – This feature implements transforming our internal GUID into a human readable form.

· Disposition – This feature implements the complete set of actions that can happen when a record is disposed.

· Email – This feature implements submitting email records to the repository.

· Expunge –– A whitepaper that discusses how to configure Microsoft SQL Server 2005 such that, when a record is removed from the database, it cannot be recovered

Where can I find more information?

Further information can be found at:

http://www.microsoft.com/sharepoint/capabilities/ecm/dod5015.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-29SharePointDoDPR.mspx

https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=551

http://blogs.msdn.com/ecm/archive/2008/02/09/announcing-the-dod-5015-2-resource-kit-for-sharepoint-server-2007.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2007/05/30/dod-5015-2-certification-for-moss-2007-we-ve-passed-the-test.aspx

Hope this helps.

Fabio

New Improved! Right License, Right Customer & Licensing the Big Ten

Perth       - March 4^th

Sydney    - March 11^th

This course is aimed at resellers, distributors and software influencers (ISV Royalty Partners, Dynamics Resellers, Software Integrators) requiring an understanding of the fundamentals of Microsoft product and program licensing for small and medium business customers, or in need of a refresher.  The content is very scenario based.  After completing the course participants will improve their ability to recommend the right license and right product to their customers, with confidence.  Find out what are the products you need to sell customers right now to ensure additional sales revenue and how to sell it to them.

Course Content:

· Fundamentals of Microsoft Licensing

· The Customer and Partner Benefits of Software Assurance

· Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs

· Core Product Licensing for SMB (small and medium business) Partners

o Office

o Vista

o Windows Server

o Small Business Server

o SQL Server

o SharePoint Server

o Exchange Server

o Office Communications Server

o Visual Studio

o CRM

REGISTER NOW !!!!!

SYDNEY          :Right License, Right Customer and Licensing the Big Ten Sydney

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032368312&Culture=en-AU

PERTH             : Right License, Right Customer & Licensing the Big Ten Perth

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032368314&Culture=en-AU

Fabio

Update on the Aus SharePoint conference

=======

Hi All – The Information Worker Business Group of Microsoft Australia has made the decision to run a more focussed SharePoint Forum in the Microsoft Offices in North Ryde in May 2008 for 80-100 attendees from key Partners and Customers, this takes the place of the planned SharePoint Conference in May 2008.  For Partners and Customers who require a deeper level of Sharepoint Training the US SharePoint Conference will be run in early March this year; please go to http://www.mssharepointconference.com/Pages/default.aspx for more information.    We are committed to providing our Customers and Partners with the most up-to-date information about SharePoint and ensuring we deliver the highest quality of experience.   

Thanks and ask any questions if you have any.

Robin Young – robiny@microsoft.com

======

Siatro

New IW training announced for Aussie partners for next year

Siatro

FREE End User training for MOSS - download now!

This came across my inbox today from my colleague Ian Palangio - fantastic resource for introducing MOSS into green field sites.

The final and complete end-user Office SharePoint Server 2007 Training is now available for FREE in the MS Download Center!

The training comes with rich set of videos, tutorials and articles that help end users learn the basics of SharePoint’s workloads (ie each piece of the SharePoint pie). The kit can be installed directly to individual desktop machines (stand alone edition), or directly onto a SharePoint site. IT Departments, or even groups such as HR, Corporate Learning, and others will be able to use and customize the kit to train end users on  to use and get value from SharePoint.

• Portal Edition: built on the Microsoft SharePoint Learning Kit (‘SLK’), the Portal Edition must be deployed onto a SharePoint Server site by a server administrator. It includes a reporting function that allows an administrator/trainer to track learners’ completed training topics. The content is compliant to the e-learning standard SCORM 2004.
• Standalone Edition: can be installed by an individual and easily accessed from a desktop icon. It does not allow customization or reporting, but give customers the ability to view the training before they deploy the Portal Edition on a SharePoint Server site.

Siatro

While we are on the topic of blogs ...

Another Blog many of the Aus partners may be interested in tracking is the one Mike Heald runs to announce campaigns and other marketing activities.  Remember, there is funding behind these campaigns so contact your Partner Account Manager to get some of the action.

http://blogs.msdn.com/marketingforpartners/

Siatro

A great Blog for Microsoft Partners

Many of you may already know about Bruce Rassmussen who is the managing director of Carpe Diem, a consultancy specialising in Sales and Marketing training and who we use alot fortraining courses for the MS channel in Australia.

Recently Bruce mentioned to me that he has entered the Blogosphere with his blog at:

 http://carpe-diem.typepad.com/ms_partners/

He tells me the aim of this blog is to raise awareness amongst the Microsoft community of partners on the value of Solution Selling and marketing among other business related aspects.   These are often areas overlooked or not prioritsed in many partners in our channel and are critical for building sustainable businesses.

Bruce tells me he will aim to post weekly.

I hope you find his blog useful.

Siatro

FREE Licensing training for Partners - Licensing the BIG SIX

Need to get a better understading of how your customers are going to buy their licensing?

This course will enable you to provide a better customer experience to your customer by understanding the options available to them. Being able to provide guidance on their requirements can potentially decrease the sale cycle of the opportunity and entrench you further within the customer.

Microsoft Australia invites you to attend a complementary training session on “Licensing the BIG SIX”.

• Date:    December 13^th 2007
• Venue:    Saxons Training Facilities, Level 10, 10 Barrack Street Sydney New South Wales 2000

This training seminar will provide the foundation for product scenario based licensing.

This course is aimed at software influencers (ISV Royalty Partners, Dynamics Partners, System Integrators) wanting an understanding of the fundamentals of Microsoft product and program licensing for small and midsize customers. 
After completing the course participants will improve their ability to recommend the right license, for the right product to the right customer, with confidence. 

AGENDA:

1. Fundamentals of Microsoft Licensing

2. Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs

3. Core Product Licensing for SIs and ISVs:

• Office (including Sharepoint)
• Vista
• Windows Server
• Small Business Server
• SQL Server
• Exchange Server

REGISTER NOW:

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032360362&Culture=en-AU

Fabio

Technical resources and training for MS Unified Comms

Looking for technical resources & training on Unified Communications?

Microsoft is soon to be running a widespread customer campaign focused largely on the power of Unified Communications technologies revolution. This is due largely to the recent release of three powerful pieces of software: Microsoft Office Communicator Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 and Microsoft Live Meeting 2007. In addition, according to Frost & Sullivan, demand for Microsoft Unified Communications technology is already enormous in Australia -  with the market anticipated to be worth AUD$415million in FY08*. This represents a huge opportunity for you and your business. 

To coincide with the launch of this campaign, Microsoft has released an informational resource for all Microsoft Partners on the Business Productivity Infrastructure Optimisation (BPIO) Campaign website. It’s a great resource and will give you a very thorough introduction to the technology and how it can be applied, integrated and utilised.  Plus - if you are a Certified or Gold Certified partner, you can also WIN $10,000 of marketing development funds by using the resources on the website to generate sales of Unified Communications software.

Check it out: https://partner.microsoft.com/Australia/40042255

* “Frost & Sullivan Enterprise Telephony Market 2006”

Siatro

Don’t Stress, We’re Here to Help

Many partners I meet are not aware of their entitlement to technical support so I am posting some info about this service.  Make the most of it!

Siatro

Tele Partner Presales Technical Support

Don’t Stress, We’re Here to Help - The Microsoft Partner Program

The Telephone-based Pre-Sales Technical Support (TPTS) exclusive to Microsoft Gold and Certified partners and Small Business Specialists, offers you and your team direct access to an expert team of technical and competitive experts and our vast library of resources on Microsoft technologies.

You will have immediate access to Microsoft support professionals for answers about:

• Product capabilities (integration, upgrade, migration and interoperability)

• Features (including demonstrations and workshops)

• Configuration

• Compatibility

• Troubleshooting (test bed only)

• Competitive comparisons (TCO, ROI and battle cards)

TPTS can provide you with pre-sales assistance for all Microsoft software and solutions and can help clarify security, total cost of ownership (TCO), pricing and licensing issues. The team can also assist with Competitive Technical issues such as reliability, migration, interoperability, feature comparison, security and development tools and can escalate your queries to appropriate Microsoft resources within the subsidiary, such as subject matter experts and Microsoft product teams when necessary.

Although TPTS is primarily a pre-sales resource, Microsoft Partners can also contact the team at any point of the sales cycle for assistance with answering competitive questions. There is a growing inventory of competitive materials such as discussion guides, case study and white papers, plus presentations and reference materials at your fingertips when you contact the TPTS team.

If you are a Microsoft Gold Certified or Certified Partner, or a Microsoft Small Business Specialist wanting to use TPTS or Competitive Sales Assistance please contact

Contact:

Australia Toll Free - 13 16 30 Option 2 option 3 sub-option 1

New Zealand Toll Free - 0800 444 335 Option 2 option 3 sub-option 1

Working Hours : 8am - 8pm; Sydney Time, Monday - Friday

Email: apacpts at microsoft.com (ANZ Region)

Office Devcon - Agenda locked

Thanks to the phenomenal work by Graham Seach, the Office Devcon is a reality.  Awesome speakers are lined up and time for networking opportunities is planned as well.  More info on the event can be found here:  http://www.block.net.au/devcon/

Siatro

Location: Microsoft Sydney, 1 Epping Road, North Ryde NSW 2113

SATURDAY, November 3rd, 2007

SUNDAY, November 4th, 2007

New! Microsoft Office SharePoint 2007 Sizing and Configuration tool by HP

The HP ProLiant Sizer for Microsoft Office SharePoint 2007 is a downloadable tool (includes update notification) that assists the user in selecting the optimum HP ProLiant Server, HP BladeSystem and HP Storage configuration for collaboration and document management environments based on user requirements. This free tool can be accessed here.

Cheers,

Fabio