Lately, I've been asked from multiple customers and partners about the future of Zero Touch Provisioning. ZTP is still alive and growing.

As a reminder, ZTP has been an MS Services solution from the beginning (starting in 2003), but version 2.0 became public access (with documentation) thru the BDD team. The original concept, spec, and code base was built (thru engagement) for 1 large customer/partner, then expanded to better support more customers, version 2.0 shipped with BDD 2.0 on TechNet (November 2004), and finally, I've made multiple updates to 2.0 available on GotDotNet (last one from March 2006).

The current version available from Microsoft Services is ZTP v2.5. It is still based on BizTalk Server 2004. This version is only available and supported as a Microsoft Services engagement with a work order that protects Microsoft ownership and redistribution rights. For a partner, this requires an MCS work order of type P4.

v3.0 is in development (beta in July, release in August) and supports BizTalk Server 2006 (and much more). Currently, this version will only be available and supported as a Microsoft Services engagement with a work order that protects Microsoft ownership and redistribution rights.

v4.0 will support .Net Framework 3.0 (including Windows Workflow Foundation), Windows SharePoint Services v3, and integration with System Center Service Desk. It is planned for H1 2007.