Great post from Steve Clayton with a bunch of links to get partners info quickly. Watch this space – 2010 will be a big year for Azure and will create brand new business opportunities for MS Partners. http://blogs.msdn.com/stevecla01/archive/2009/12/21/windows-azure-for-microsoft-partners.aspx  

We just made a significant announcement on Azure, our cloud computing platform at the so-called PDC event. Read all about it: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/nov09/11-17pdc1pr.mspx More on Azure: www.azure.com

http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/325494/review_sharepoint_server_2010_beta_pulls_it_all_together This article gives some practical summaries of a few of the new features in Sharepoint 2010. I thought quite a nice read for partners wanting to see the headlines on some of the new features..

See the following from Long Zheng – so really nice demos from our research leader (Craig Mundie) on novel prototype user interaction, including eye tracking. I can’t wait for this stuff to become mainsteam ! http://www.istartedsomething.com/20091106/microsoft-college-tour-09/

We launched Window Mobile v6.5 today – now called Windows Phone. Check out the new site for info on available devices in Australia and all the goodness in this important release for our mobile business – which itself will generate business opportunities for our partners. www.windowsphone.com.au  ...

“In response to customer feedback, the Microsoft Online Services engineering team is developing the Outlook 2003 Connector. This is an Outlook add-in that will enable customers to use Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 to access all the features of Exchange Online. This includes free/busy information when...

Deeps and the local TechNet team have scheduled the following virtual conference targetted at IT Professionals, both in customer and partner organisations. Looks like some very useful content for pre-sales and technical people in the partner base. TechNet Virtual Conference Friday 25 September 10.00am...

This is one of the latest (and first) tangible deliverables from the Telstra-Microsoft alliance , but with much more coming in the next few weeks and months ! Here is the customer-facing announcement: “Better manage your mobility costs with Telstra. If you're looking to extend mobile access to your employees...

One of the really interesting WPC announcements was that the Surface team has launched a partner program. I talk regularly with Aussie partners keen to get started on Surface development but the absence of real tables here is a barrier to them. This site and program is a great first step to getting stuck...

With much momentum behind one part of our overall S+S strategy (namely BPOS/Microsoft Online), partners will in addition begin to see more momentum building on the ‘cloud OS’ side of the equation, namely Azure . I’ve just seen this announced internally as an example of some of the real world applications...

I know many of our partners will be keen to see this which I found on the MS Online team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/msonline/archive/2009/06/04/video-interview-building-custom-applications-using-microsoft-online-services.aspx There is quite a lot of customisation opportunity with the MS Online platform...

The Microsoft mapping team are holding a series of presentations in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney this June to provide you with all the information you require to integrate maps in to your partner offering or solution. Never before has it been so easy for your organisation to assist customers track...

“What exactly is the Azure Services Platform and what does it allow me to do? This session covers the basics including architecture and function, as well as new opportunities the platform provides. Learn too how customers are thinking about cloud computing and how you can join the conversation. Recent...

New for Windows Mobile users – brand new Facebook app. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/downloads/facebook.mspx

I found this on the SMB Community blog and felt it would be useful for the local partner community – having some simple click-through demos can help busy partners quickly cover off the introduction to a new possible product for their customers and prospects. Re-posted here for convenience: “Want a quick...

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the announcements, keynotes and buzz the US TechEd via the virtual pressroom. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/teched/default.mspx Lots of info on Windows 7, Windows Server R2 RC, etc. And note the Office 2010 preview site – with tongue firmly in a cheek :-) http...

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/sir.aspx The latest edition of the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report examines trends in malware and potentially unwanted software from July - December 2008. The key findings for Australia were: “Enterprises are more susceptible to worms than consumers; as...

Our local readiness team has prepared some webcasts for partners too busy to come to hands on training – learn all about these important technoligies by attending the following: OVERVIEW OF WINDOWS SERVER 2008 R2 Wednesday, 27 May, 2009 12:00-1:00pm AES T REGISTER NOW Level:   200 Partner Role: ...

I believe this came out a few weeks ago but I missed it at the time. Via the great OfficeLabs – check this video out. I do find it inspiring to watch these kinds of things – and of course with so much focus on touch with Windows 7 and Surface, this kind of vision is quite easy to see as possible. http...

Technologies don't stand still - why should you? UPGRADE YOUR CREDENTIALS FOR JUST US$25 If you are a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and have not attained any new credentials since July 1, 2007 , you can now upgrade your Microsoft credentials with an exclusive exam voucher at US$25 only . Validate...

There is a tonne more info coming out on Azure as a development platform and I strongly encourage all SI and ISV partners to get their tech leads to understand this new model for cloud-based development, and of course start to understand how you can make money and deliver value to your customers from...

Big news overnight – we released the beta of Exchange 2010 and announced the (not surprising) naming convention for the next version of Office. “Microsoft Unveils Exchange 2010 With Public Beta First in the next wave of Office-related products, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 will help lower communications...

This caught my eye as a usual resource for partners who use energy efficiency as part of their value proposition to customers: http://blogs.msdn.com/see/archive/2009/04/07/microsoft-assessment-and-planning-map-toolkit-for-energy-efficient-computing.aspx

I must have missed this but I noticed today that Worldwide Telescope now has a web client – showing the power of our S+S strategy that combines the best of the on-PC experience with cloud-based services, across many devices. It’s also showing the power of Silverlight in the browser: http://www.worldwidetelescope...

Not a great time of day for Aussies, but the recorded version will be worth checking after the event for those partners interested in Azure. WNS113PAL: Azure Services Platform Functional Updates for March 2009 Presented by Kyle Cressman, Matt Rogers and Steve Yi Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:00-9:00am Pacific...