HP Business Data Warehouse Appliance The Microsoft and HP Business Data Warehouse appliance Optimized for SQL Server 2008 R2, provides the best performance possible for data mart and small data warehouse workloads with data volumes of up to 5 TB. The...

www.sqlserverlaunch.com - Includes:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/dataplatforminsider/archive/2011/06/03/fourth-largest-us-stock-exchange-direct-edge-looks-to-sql-server-parallel-data-warehouse-for-big-data-needs.aspx Recent tests on their data showed dramatic gain in performance, with up...

Released on MSDN -  The Analysis Services 2008R2 Operations Guide

  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlazure/default.aspx

Peter Ward and Wardy IT have launched some upcoming training courses: This is from there newsletter: SQL Server Training Schedule It is not too late to register for our Q2 training courses, including Australia’s first PowerPivot training courses . WARDY...

ATTENTION: Windows Azure platform AppFabric has transitioned to commercial availability on April 12th 2010, and is now a fully SLA-supported paid service. Customers who use AppFabric will be notified of their usage, as charges have begun accruing as of...

It’s somewhat old new now but in case you were unaware SQL 2008 R2 has Released to Manufacturing (RTM). Official press here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/sqlserver/ “Welcome to the Microsoft SQL Server News Center! We are excited to inform...

Wow, some interesting stats here. Check out the technet post at: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff467943.aspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/974563

Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot for Excel: Unleashing the Business User http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/bi/docs/amr_powerpivot.pdf Find it here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/bi/Default.aspx

Further validation of the great BI platform we’re driving to market… http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/bi/Default.aspx

Peter Ward (Wardy IT) will be running some free SQL 2008 R2 seminars at the end of January. Email from Peter: I just wanted to let you know about the SQL Server 2008 R2 Hot Lap which WARDY IT Solutions will be running in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney...

One of our program managers in Redmond has a great site showcasing Powerpivot. http://powerpivotpro.com Email from Rob: “For those of you who have not seen it, I thought it was worth mentioning here, since it seems people are finding it in semi-random...

Those of you that know me – know how much I enjoy the round ball game :-) Whilst not strictly related to my MS role – please bring the FIFA world cup to Australia! http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/

Hi all, If you still have BizTalk 2004 in your environment, mainstream support ends in July 2009. In Australia, we have a partner who can do an assessment for you on what it may take to upgrade (if necessary). Email me if you want more info.

Migration tool released – if you want to consider using the BizTalk WCF adapters. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e68b8fd1-5c8a-499a-8237-4dc23a8342c5&displaylang=en Overview The WCF-based adapters shipped with the BizTalk...

Have you tried Bing yet? www.bing.com

http://www.neowin.net/news/gamers/09/06/01/microsoft-introduces-controller-free-gaming-project-natal

Register by going to http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/r2.aspx and we will let you know when the CTP ships.

It’s a busy month ;-) Overview "Oslo" is the code name for Microsoft’s next generation modeling platform. This CTP includes: "Quadrant" – a visual modeling tool "M" – a modeling language Repository – a SQL Server 2008 database...

Just noticed that we had released to web the BizTalk 2009 guide for Hyper V. Get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0582bc67-0bef-4a0a-99cf-4408a111c4e3 Let me know what you think….

From my MSDN subscriber blast…. Dear MSDN subscribers, End of Financial Year Special 45% off  on Team Suite Upgrade Conditions Apply Update: Team Suite is cheaper in June* Benefit from a 45% discount * if you purchase a Step up license from Visual...

Our local SQL Tech Specialist Ron alerted me to a change in policy. http://blogs.msdn.com/psssql/archive/2009/05/19/sql-server-support-policy-for-failover-clustering-and-virtualization-gets-an-update.aspx

See the User Group site: http://www.melbiz.org/Home/tabid/79/EntryId/82/BizTalk-2009-Hands-on-Days.aspx and register! Agenda: