A topic of many conversations since the beginning of October, as well as over the SMB Nation weekend where I told those of you in attendance that we are working on a potential solution and would get back to you as soon as we had one, is the fact that...

This past weekend at SMB Nation, I had the privilege to kick off the keynote session Monday morning by giving a brief overview of the Microsoft US Small Business efforts ranging from back when I was based in our Midwest area starting up a Small Business...

Last weekend at SMB Nation, one of the most asked questions was, “If my clients buy SBS 2008 Premium, what version of SQL can they use?” This followed my earlier post, “ Is Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 Premium going to ship with SQL 2005 or SQL 2008...

In last week’s Quarterly Partner Briefing here in Bellevue, WA, we showed one of the new, “I’m a PC,” commercials to the audience among a few others. So, have you seen them? You know, like this one: If you want to see even more, we have...

After yesterday’s post , I received a few questions asking, “So where do I get the SBS 2008 part #s that just became available today?” Just like I explained in my, “ Open Value Subscription – How is it purchased? ” post, all Volume Licensing SKUs and...

Great news for all of the SBSC Partners in Canada! The brand new SBSC Canada Blog is now online and bringing information out to all of the SBSC Partners in Canada. According to Satish, owner of the Blog, “The objective for me is to provide a way for SMB...

As you know, Small Business Server (SBS) comes with 5 Client Access Licenses (CALs) when you purchase the server license itself. A question I often see or am asked is, “Can I separate the 5 CALs that come with one SBS Server license and use those 5 CALs...

We are quickly closing in on the LIVE Launch Webcast for the Windows Essential Server Solutions, and you are all invited, along with your clients. During this event, you and your clients can see how partners like you and Microsoft can make it possible...

I know you’ve seen the Blog posts about the Big Easy and the savings it can provide for your clients through subsidies to you such as: The Big Easy Partner Subsidy offer is now live! Are you ready for the Big Easy 2.0? Here are some opportunities...

Today Microsoft released an out of cycle Security Bulletin and Microsoft recommends customers apply the update immediately. For the out-of-band security bulletin added to Version 3.0 of this bulletin summary, Microsoft is hosting a webcast to address...

Get SBS 2008 for less than SBS 2003? Yes, you can. There has been some discussion about the new SBS 2008 Server that is now available through Volume Licensing and the pricing of the Server and CALs. Yesterday, I posted the SBS 2008 Part #s for Open...

I have had the pleasure of working with Robbie Upcroft here at Microsoft for many years now, and for those of you who know him, you know he is a great guy who really is passionate about helping Partners in the SMB segment be successful. Well now that...

Just a few weeks ago we were here in Seattle with Harry and the gang at SMB Nation in the U.S.. Now, Harry has just put up the information about the upcoming SMB Nation Europe taking place in London on December 5 th . To find out more about SMB Nation...

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about a bunch of resources for you as SBSC Partners to use for the Small Business Summit that we are putting on this week, including how you can stream the Summit live from your website. Now you can also participate in...

Now that we have moved to Standard and Premium CALs in SBS 2008 from just a single CAL model that we had in SBS 2003, there have been some questions on what downgrade CAL rights you get if you purchase SBS 2008 Standard or SBS 2008 Premium CALs. In order...

Since my, “ Parting is such sweet sorrow… Again. (It is time to move on) ,” post, I have been receiving several messages from Partners across the US offering congratulations, well-wishes, and notes saying things like, ‘sorry to see you go,’ etc.” Now...

A Partner submitted the following question to me regarding downgrading SBS 2008 Premium, so I thought I would share it with all of you along with the answer. Here was the question: “SBS 2008 Premium includes a second server license (Server 2008) for...

There have been a few questions since my, “ If you downgrade your SBS 2008 Premium to SBS 2003 R2, do you still get the second Windows Server license right? ” post along the lines of, “Why don’t we still get the second Windows Server license if we choose...

Yesterday a Partner asked how they could find the Microsoft MVPs for one of our products and for more information about what an MVP is since they had seen several Microsoft MVPs addressing questions for other Partners and referenced in the past for presentations...

Last week I posted about the SBSC Canada Blog that is now live . Now for those of you in the UK, I am happy to let you know about the Microsoft UK Small Business Specialist Blog ! This Blog went live back in August, and according to the team running the...

I have been seeing and receiving several questions in regards to my, “ How do I still get SBS 2003 R2 + Software Assurance in October since it was removed from the Volume License pricelists? Final Solution ” post, asking if the same exception has been...

As you probably know by now, back on August 5 th we launched the “Second shot” promotion through Microsoft Learning that allowed you to take a certification exam and if you fail, you get a second chance to take it for free. This promotion has been received...

Here on the Blog, I have posted about the In-person Licensing Bootcamps that we are doing across the U.S. in the East Region , Central Region , and West Region . Have you attended one yet? If not (or even if you have and want a refresher), why not attend...

As you are aware, SBS 2003 media and keys were distributed on physical media for all Volume Licensing customers, not as downloadable bits through the Volume Licensing Service Center such as other products purchased through Volume Licensing are. Recently...

I received an inquiry from a Partner today stating that they had read my “ How do I still get SBS 2003 R2 + Software Assurance in October since it was removed from the Volume License pricelists? Final Solution. ” post and that they had already submitted...