This week marks the debut of Innovate On v2. Innovate On is a self-service engine designed to help partners build and market solutions faster- by providing them access to technical knowhow and targeted marketing benefits.
The main design goal of this site was simplification. The partner community is telling us that it is too hard to find and access information about our various programs. Innovate On v2 is the first step of how we intend to greatly simplify our offerings to this market segment. Moving forward, we will bring together several online initiatives into a single one-stop experience - designed to accelerate adoption of new and current Microsoft technologies.
New features include:
· Streamlined registration – The new registration engine significantly reduces the time required for a new partner to enroll in the site to approximately 1-2 minutes
· Multiple technology enrollment – Users can register a solution once and choose multiple MS technologies that are being used in the solution
· Improved navigation – The new site has a simplified primary navigation and site layout to make it easier for users to access the information they need. This navigation was reviewed by an external usability consulting team and was given high marks for simplicity and clarity of navigation.
· Solution-focused visual search – Innovate On now has a Silverlight-based visual search feature that allows users to find relevant Microsoft resources for their solution, based on the technologies used, the audience, and the phase of the solution lifecycle the solution is current in.
· More publically-accessible content – All of the publically-available content is now available for non-registered members of the Innovate On site. This will allow users to learn more about the MS technologies featured on the Innovate On site prior to enrollment and should significantly improve the ability to find Innovate On via a search query.
· Better access to benefits – A new benefits widget allows users to easily access all of their benefits from a single location. We are also launching a new Vista pre-certification voucher, and will be continuing to add and evaluate new benefits over the course of the year.
· New data-driven architecture – Innovate On was rebuilt from the ground up to provide a solid, secure, and flexible platform that will allows us to improve content management and add additional features over time.
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator (or MAP) is the next-generation version of the agent-less assessment platform from Microsoft. In this new version, MAP has an improved user interface and expanded its capabilities into areas of server migration and virtualization assessments while retaining all of the features found in its predecessor – the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment (WVHA) tool. Assessment areas covered in MAP include:
MAP has now been released in support of the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1 wave! It also supports virtualization scenarios!
Check out the blog below for more information.
Microsoft Readying Customers and Partners with New Assessment and Deployment Tool for the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1 Launch!
http://blogs.technet.com/mapblog/archive/2008/02/27/new-microsoft-tool-readying-customers-and-partners-for-the-windows-server-2008-wave.aspx
London 3rd and 4th March 2008 Details
Manchester 6th and 7th March 2008 Details
Birmingham 10th and 11th March 2008 Details
At the completion of this 2 day training, you will leave with knowledge, tools and hands on experience to deploy and configure System Center products such as Operations Manager 2007 confidently and predictably.
Event Details.
The content covered in the boot camp is technical and has been designed to provide you with knowledge required to deliver successful Operations Manager 2007 proof of concepts (POCs) to your customers.
Day 1: Architecting, Deploying and Configuring Operations Manager 2007 Monitoring Scenarios
Day 2: How to deliver technical demos of Operations Manager 2007 features
London 5th, 6th and 7th March 2008 Details
Manchester 10th, 11th and 12th March 2008 Details
Birmingham 17th, 18th and 19th March 2008 Details
Day 1:
Intro and System Center/ Microsoft Management strategy
· System Center Configuration Manager: Overview & Deployment· SCCM: Desired Configuration Management
Day 2:
· Software Distribution with System Center Configuration Manager· Software Update Management with System Center Configuration Manager· Internet-Based Client Management (45 minutes)· Managing Mobile Devices with SCCM (will need mobile 6 device for this)
Day 3:
· Client OS Deployment with SCCM 2007, BDD 2007, & Microsoft Deployment· System Center Virtual Machine Manager: Overview· System Center Data Protection Manager
The latest Grava technology preview is now available from:
https://connect.microsoft.com/grava
You will need a Windows Live ID to sign in, but then details of the CTP are available including a download of:
https://connect.microsoft.com/Grava/Downloads
Grava is the code name for a new set of tools from Microsoft’s Education Products Group that is designed to allow the education community to author, assemble, and present rich-interactive content that will increase discovery and allow learners to go at their own pace and learning style. The Grava platform includes the followingbuilding blocks:
Join a new Virtual Partner Community
Please join us in a new online networking community, which aims to help Microsoft's UK Partners engage and work collaboratively to increase their success.
It’s really easy to access and participate in this new online network, simply...
· Go to the www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/community
· Select the ‘Explore the Partner Community’ button
· Sign-in using your Windows Live ID (that you use to access other partner programme benefits)
· Join a Network from the current list on the left hand side (if you’d like to create a new network please let me know – an online wizard will be available soon).
Once you’ve accessed the site please update your profile in the ‘My Home’ tab – see instructions here, add your views to the online discussion, share documents with other members, and read the latest announcements. You can even create your own blog! When you have created your profile don’t forget to add your picture, it’s really important in social networking I’ve learnt!
If you have problems accessing the site please let me know. You can find Windows Live ID information to help you here. If you need further support and information on the Partner Community – visit the ‘On-site’ help and support community.
What is the Partner Community?
The Partner Community is a group of networks set up and managed by individuals, partner organisations, and Microsoft employees. The Community enables members to communicate, share documents, and connect with others members and with Microsoft. The goal is to help us do business more effectively and efficiently. This is the Alpha release of the Partner Community so your thoughts and feedback would be greatly appreciated – please see the link on the Communities Home Page. The full release is scheduled for mid-February. Until then the number of networks is limited.
We’d appreciate your participation and will use your feedback to improve this alpha community before the full launch later this year. We look forward to meeting you online!
If you work with customers interested in large scale SharePoint deployments, you may face blockers from lingering issues with SharePoint 2001/2003 much like we did. The only way we knew to knock down those blockers was to conduct a test with a huge number of users and 2 million was our target. The test was just completed at the Enterprise Engineering Center (EEC) where a relatively small number of MOSS servers was able to easily support the 2m users. In fact, the MOSS farm was so efficient, we achieved 237% of the required capability for the test scenarios!
The test was designed to simulate typical end user scenarios used on a MOSS architecture then stress the system beyond the typical use patterns.
Here are a few test highlights:
· Test results showed no restriction in scaling to 2 million users and in fact, 237% capacity was achieved for the test architecture. Testing revealed scaling beyond 2 million users for the given scenarios is possible while achieving the desired response time.
· Additional logon timed tests were evaluated for 1M and 2M users. We achieved 1M user logons in less than 40 minutes and 2M logons in under 2 hours.
· No changes are recommended to the Microsoft best practices guidelines for developing large architectures.
NOTE FOR ALL THE TECHNICAL TYPES: This test environment was designed to determine a specific capability of MOSS. The test was not designed to find the absolute maximum throughput of the SharePoint product. Because of the limits of hardware on the test harness it is likely additional performance can be realized. A series of Architectural Design Sessions (ADS) is recommended for production solution recommendations.
All the necessary information you need to get started on the technical and business value aspects of Windows Vista SP1, a must read!
SP1 OVERVIEW
Overview of Windows Vista Service Pack 1This white paper presents an overview of Windows Vista SP1 and the improvements it contains.Notable Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1This document provides more detail about the notable changes made to Windows Vista in Service Pack 1, which were focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. Enterprise Guidance for Application Compatibility Testing and Windows Vista SP1This white paper provides enterprise customers guidance for testing applications on the currently available version of Windows Vista and Windows Vista with Service Pack 1.Windows Vista overview for IT professionalsExplore the enhancements and new features in Windows Vista that can help benefit you and your organization. Major categories of improvements include security, reliability, performance, deployment, and manageability.Windows Vista hardware guidanceRead this guide to understand the hardware requirements for Windows Vista.
Telling your company about Windows VistaThis brief summary of Windows Vista business benefits can help you tell others in your company about the new operating system.Key reasons to upgrade to Windows VistaDiscover some of the key reasons why your company should consider upgrading to Windows Vista.Measure the return on your Windows Vista investmentThis quick estimator will help measure the costs and benefits of deploying Windows Vista in your organization.Understand the costs and benefits of Windows Vista with the Windows Vista Business Value Discussion ToolThe Windows Vista Business Value Discussion Tool (WVDT) is designed to help quantify the technology discussions that you are having about the new Windows Client. The WVDT is a powerful new tool designed to further two-way discussions between you and your team or between you and your deployment partner that incorporate customized data to quickly develop an initial business cases for adopting and deploying Windows Vista.Top 10 things you need to know about Windows Vista for the enterpriseThis on-demand webcast introduces some of the new features and capabilities, focusing on features designed with the enterprise in mind.
Training and Enablement
Learn the technical and marketing details around Windows Vista SP1 and use this information as part of executing Partner Readiness & Solution Plans (PSP).Windows Vista Deployment ‘Class in the Box’Sales and Technology: Are you ready to implement next-generation OS that stands out for its superior performance usability, functionality and ROI? Don’t have time to attend a 5 day course? Get the training you need to help your organization benefit from the enhanced security, multi-tiered data protection, increased manageability and productivity, and state-of-the-art deployment features in Windows Vista. ”Class in a Box” has the resources to help you create breakthrough computing experiences in your company. To order ‘Vista Deployment Class in a Box’ free of cost, visit www.msptr.com , use product # 5437Windows Vista 101Is your business ready for Windows Vista? Learn the basics about this pivotal release and test your knowledge by taking Windows Vista 101. In just 10 minutes, this mini-course explains what Windows Vista means for your customers and your business opportunity. Windows Vista Deployment Technical TrainingResources help your architects and consultants understand the basics from an IT perspective. Level 300 and above deep technical content.Windows Vista Partner Sales and Deployment ResourcesFind technical training videos and Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation about desktop deployment and application compatibility of the Windows Vista Operating system and the 2007 Microsoft Office system.
Deployment
The launch of SP1 and Hardware refresh circle gives partners the perfect opportunity to deploy and drive the last mile execution and deployment. Find key information about the tools and frameworks to expedite the internal and customer deployment.Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is best-practice guidance for desktop deployment. BDD is targeted at companies that want to reduce deployment time, effort, and cost by increasing the level of automation. It allows administrators to deploy desktops with Zero Touch and Lite Touch interaction at the target PCs. This solution also helps organizations move to a managed environment with standardized desktop images.Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 5.0 contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Microsoft® Windows Vista, a Windows Update, or a new version of Windows® Internet Explorer® in your environment.Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.1The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator is an inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that will find computers on a network and determine if they are ready to run the Windows Vista™ operating system or the 2007 Microsoft Office System. The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator 2.1 is localized to German, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese.Licensing for Windows DesktopLearn the key points to communicate to your customers planning to acquire new licenses.Optimized Desktop Essentials Overview BrochureLearn more about the Optimized Desktop Essentials solution and how it fits with the needs of you and your customers.
Microsoft Desktop Deployment Planning Services (DDPS)
Thousands of companies worldwide have found that their organization's complex computing environment makes the job of upgrading their users to the latest versions of Microsoft® Windows® and Office a real challenge.
Through DDPS, Microsoft provides partners with the tools, training, and support needed to help eligible companies overcome this challenge, while increasing revenue and growing their business in the process.
Watch how DDPS partners worked with customers to develop and deliver a deployment plan. In the process, they positioned themselves as trusted advisors which led to ongoing revenue by implementing SharePoint and SMS.
Once your partners are certified to deliver DDPS, they will be positioned to help current and prospective customers (who participate in the Microsoft Software Assurance program) by outlining a plan for the deployment of a modern business desktop utilizing 2007 Microsoft® Office and Microsoft® Windows Vista.
Learn how your partners can get paid by Microsoft to deliver deployment plans!
We are here to answer your questions – contact us anytime at ddps@microsoft.com.
The goal of Digital Literacy is to teach basic computer concepts and skills so that people can use computer technology in everyday life to develop new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. It is with great pleasure that MS Learning announces the release of the XP & Office 2003 Computer Basics course for English UK Digital Literacy in both elearning and printable format. This release also includes the accompanying assessment.
We are in the process of updating to Vista & Office 2007 and this curriculum will be available later in the Spring.
This release of Digital Literacy comprises of both online and offline options and can be found here:
Online courses
Downloadable courses
Print versions
Assessments
Instructor Materials
The English UK courses now available are:
2695BE Computer Basics
2696AE Internet & Web Basics
2697AE Productivity Software
2698AE Security & Privacy
2699AE Digital Lifestyle
The English UK assessments also available are:
AS025B Computer Basics
AS025A Computer Basics
AS025B Internet & Web Basics
AS025C Productivity Software
AS025D Security & Privacy
AS025E Digital Lifestyle
AS026A Certificate
With the momentum behind SharePoint and the Learning Gateway, security is an increasingly important part of the overall solution. To help partners the Education Partner Group is hosting a ForeFront Workshop on March 27 at Thames Valley Park.
FOREFRONT SECURITY EDUCATION PARTNER TRAINING
AGENDA (subject to change)
10:00 – Arrive and Introductions
10:15 – Product Overview, Demo and Opportunity in Education
11:00 - Installation / Planning / Best Practices
12:15 - Lunch
12:45 – Troubleshooting
13:15 – HOLs – Time in a controlled environment to go through manuals and get familiar with using the product and configuring it etc.
14:30 – End
HOST
Nick Hall, Technology Specialist - Forefront
*SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS*
Please bring a laptop to install the HOLs and take them away.
VENUE
'Annapurna' Building 4, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6 1WG.
Please report to Building 3 reception on arrival.
REGISTRATION
Attendees will be limited to ensure an interactive roundtable event format, please email your account manager or v-bomere@microsoft.com to reserve a place.