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This blog focuses on issues important to the ISV community (both technical and non technical).
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Have you ever attended a Microsoft Professional Developers Conference? It’s an event so packed with great information and new technology, attendees claim their brains start sending back “out of memory” error messages. That’s what happens when a torrent of peer-to-peer geekology throttles your cerebral cortex. At PDC2008, you can engage your senses and discover what’s new with Cloud Services, Live Mesh, Windows 7®, multi-core development, the Dynamic Language Runtime, and F#. There’s also much more, but we want to save a few surprises. Oh, and here’s a little bonus for you: when you register before August 15, you’ll save $200 USD. Sweet! Let’s break it down: · PDC2008 is the place to hear about the future of Microsoft’s platform. You’ll hear from the actual engineers that architect and build our technologies, and they’ll blow your mind with everything they have to reveal. · And what about the UnSessions, better known as Open Space? It’s our conference-within-a-conference for attendees…Microsoft folks need not apply. You can also spend time in our Hands-On Labs, which is like a big sandbox for geeks like us. · Use your Jedi mind tricks to convince your boss to let you sign up for one of 10 super deep pre-con sessions, presented by industry experts and Microsoft technology leaders. · Hear Ray Ozzie and other executives (don’t worry, they used to write code too) share their perspectives on the future of technology and computing. We call them keynotes, and you can expect some big news. So, if you value your brain, we’d love to see you at PDC2008. Let us help you get your head above the clouds! Register (http://www.microsoftpdc.com/Registration/) for PDC2008 by August 15 at (www.microsoftpdc.com) to save $200! PDC2008 Dates and Location WHEN:
October 27-30, 2008
Pre-cons October 26, 2008 WHERE:
Los Angeles Convention Center (http://www.lacclink.com/), Los Angeles, CA REGISTER NOW (button)( http://www.microsoftpdc.com/Registration/)
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Yesterday we launched a new team Blog for the ISV community - http://blogs.msdn.com/msftisvs/. The GISV team will use this Blog to post items of interest to the broader community.
We also launched a new website to simplify the process locating information relevant to the ISV community. The new site can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/isv
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This premier partner conference will take place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, USA, July 10-12, and will provide a wide range of valuable resources for all Microsoft Partners. Over 10,000 partners, industry experts, speakers, exhibitors, Microsoft executives, and many others are expected to attend this year’s conference—don’t miss out! If you need more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/partner/events/wwpartnerconference/. I will be blogging about the 3 finalist for GISV of the year later this week.
Surface Computing - The Microsoft Surface tabletop PC, for which the company has created both the hardware and software, offers shades of the technology seen in the sci-fi thriller Minority Report. The whole unit is controlled entirely through touch; there's no mouse or keyboard. This is a innovative approach to computing that will have many useful purposes for the ISV community. Imagine this technology being used for the next generation of CAD/CAM or other engineering programs. If you need more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/surface/.
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Interesting read on the CNET site this morning. Symantac is reporting that Windows has fewer security holes than Linux and the MAC. More interesting is that it is taking Red Hat an average of 58 days (on average) to issue a patch (according to the report). 66 for the Mac world.
Symantec's latest "Internet Security Threat Report" (PDF) reveals 39 security holes were discovered in Windows during the second half of 2006, with an average patch development turnaround time of 21 days, up from the 22 Windows holes found in the first six months of the year.
Red Hat Linux had 208 vulnerabilities for the same period with an average patch time of 58 days, a huge increase on the 42 patched vulnerabilities for the first half of the year.
Apple's Mac OS X had 43 vulnerabilities--more than double the number for the first half of 2006--and an average patch time of 66 days.
Interesting read - http://news.com.com/Study+Windows+has+fewest+security+holes/2100-1002_3-6169956.html
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Now that the Windows Vista and Office 2007 have been released the team will be spending a lot of time getting ready for the various programs we will be sponsoring during the second half of the the year (our fiscal year). For the partner community we have several events coming up that you should start planning for now.
MIX07 will be April 30 through May 2 in Las Vegas. MIX is designed to facilitate an open exchange of ideas between presenters and attendees. Like last year, expect to hear from some of the most successful and innovative practitioners on the Web. At MIX, you can talk firsthand to Microsoft executives (or give them a piece of your mind) and rub shoulders with a whole host of influential Web personalities, business leaders, analysts and venture capitalists. If you would like to join us visit http://visitmix.com/. Several members of the ISV team will be on hand to address the needs of the partner community.
Worldwide Partner Conference moves to the Mile High City this July. Last year, more than 7,000 partners attended the sold-out Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Boston to share their enthusiasm, exchange ideas, learn, as well as connect with their peers and Microsoft. Year after year this event has grown to be one of the most valuable partner interfaces in our industry. We invite you to participate in the excitement, growth and opportunities that will be offered at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2007! http://www.microsoft.com/partner/events/wwpartnerconference/. We are working on some pretty cool programs that will be announced at WWPC.
PDC07 starts on October 2, 2007 in LA. This one of my favorite Microsoft events for the developer community. http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc/.
Platform Strategy Review (PSR) - I've had a lot of question about this one. Yes we will start doing this one annually. We are tentatively aiming for Spring of 08 so stay turned for more information.
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It’s Launch Day for Windows Vista & Office 2007
I’m sitting here this morning reviewing the press and watching the launch events happen worldwide. I remember vividly standing in line at the CompUSA store in Tyson Corner, Virginia at midnight waiting to buy Windows 95 many years ago (along with a smoking new 386 computer). Fast forward 12 years and we are rolling out Windows Vista (a feeling of déjà vu all over again in terms of excitement). This is a pretty incredible release in terms of graphic capabilities and security features. Everyday I get the opportunity to see amazing application being developed by our partners who are taking advantage of Windows Vista (I’m also amazed at the number of ISV solutions we have ready for this launch).
If you have time today (January 29, 2007) Bill Gates will celebrates worldwide general availability of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System at 1:45 p.m. PST / 4:45 p.m. EST from Times Square in New York City. The celebration pays tribute to the millions of Microsoft customers, partners and product testers around the world who provided input and feedback on these products -- helping Microsoft transform the way people communicate, create and share content, and access information and entertainment in the new digital age. You can watch the webcast at
http://www.microsoft.com/events/executives/billgates.mspx.
If you happen to be an ISV who hasn’t taken advantage of Windows Vista or tested your existing applications to make sure that works correctly on Vista stop by http://www.microsoft.com/partners, select you region and take advantage of the various programs we have in place or stop http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows/appcompatibility/default.mspx.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the partners who have been working with us on Windows Vista projects for the past couple of years. Enjoy the launch.
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With significant new releases out this year, like Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, there's never been a better time to develop solutions based on the Microsoft platform. To help you move your solutions from concept to launch faster and more profitably, we've created the new Microsoft Innovate on Portal. It's your gateway to strategic resources and valuable new rewards. The Innovate on Portal provides simple, step-by-step guidance to assist and benefit you through every phase of development—building, testing, marketing, and sales.
Visit the Microsoft Innovate on Portal and choose your Innovation Path:
Please feel free to drop us feedback on how we can make this site easier to use.
I also hang around at http://eddieamos.spaces.live.com/
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UGS Acquired, Office on the Edge and the FCC finally gets it
UGS - Going Going Gone – One of the partners I support was acquired by Siemens yesterday http://www.ugs.com/about_us/press/press.shtml?id=5244. While I was somewhat surprised by the announcement this will be a good acquisition by Siemens. Siemens & UGS are both good partners and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings in terms of new products. UGS built a version of TeamCenter several years ago that is deeply integrated into Sharepoint http://www.ugs.com/products/velocity/teamcenterexpress/tcx.shtml. I still remember working on a team that built adapters into the old IMAN and Metaphase products from EDS/UGS (before EDS spun them off). We’ve come a long way in the last 6 years or so.
Office on the Edge - I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to play with Office 2007 but when you do, I think you will be surprised (it a good way). It has a complete new look and feel that has taken usability to the next level. I’m really impressed with Outlook - Scheduling meetings; assignments and other task are so much easier. My team has been working on a project called Spinnaker that uses Microsoft CRM in the backoffice and Outlook as the client. This makes it really simply to track and manage the accounts we are working on. Couple this with reporting services and you have a killer application. Our sales force now has similar functionality with Siebel information integrated into their Outlook client. This is a great way to expose data to the information worker. Office 2007 opens up a new world of possibilities to use Office as a client to extend your existing CRM, SCM or ERP systems. Add Sharepoint Server into the mix and you can create killer applications to extend your existing systems (leveraging the business data catalog, workflow and document management features). We are starting to post a lot of new information about how to perform these tasks at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905455.aspx. Stop by and check it out when you get time.
Windows Vista and My Devices - I finally got an opportunity to load Vista on one of my home machines. Granted I’ve had Vista running for over a year on my corporate laptop but haven’t had the opportunity to try it at home. I was pleasantly surprised when it found my three wireless routers, two Roku units and media unit. Life is good.
HD Radio - What’s HD FM – High Definition FM radio? – Kind of like XM or Sirius without the satellite (and it’s free). You do need a special receiver if you want to listen to your local terrestrial stations but if you have a Roku you can easily sample internet feedbacks. Checkout http://wamu.org/about/engineering/digital/. WAMU is the PBS station in DC but it also broadcast 2 HD channels, one that is alternative music and the other is bluegrass. Another good source of HD channels is Clear Channel Communications http://www.clearchannelmusic.com/hdradio/. Check out the feed from XL-102 in Richmond.
EchoLink – OK before you laugh at me and call me an old dude you really need to try out this software (if you are a licensed HAM radio operator). It’s using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology to hook into repeaters around the world. I’m currently tied into a repeater on Poor Mountain outside of Roanoke, Virginia talking to a guy in Blacksburg (go Hokies) via my computer while he is driving down Interstate 81. I know I know – It’s would be easier to simply call him his cell phone but really – where’s you sense of adventure (:-}). http://www.echolink.org/.
FCC Drops Morse Code – Speaking of HAM Radio the FCC has finally decided to stroll into this century and drop the morse code requirements for obtaining a license. IMHO they are only about 10 years late to game. http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/01/24/100/?nc=1
I also hang around at http://eddieamos.spaces.live.com/
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New capabilities that capitalize on Microsoft technology include:
- Microsoft .NET Framework-based user interface. Following a joint proof-of-concept by Microsoft and QAD, the new user interface empowers manufacturers to boost QAD system usability with screens that are more easily configured to give employees easy, intuitive access to data. The enhancements help customers take advantage of Microsoft Internet Explorer and productivity applications so that employees can use familiar tools, such as Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheets and Web-based navigation, to work more productively. The new user interface also ensures compatibility with the forthcoming Microsoft Windows Vista desktop operating system.
- Support for SQL Server 2005. QAD's ERP solutions will incorporate the power and cost-effectiveness of the latest Microsoft database technology. Manufacturers will be able to harness valuable production data and robust, scalable database functions to make fast and information-driven decisions that impact manufacturing, financials, distribution and field service activity.
The team is on hand for the QAD EXPLORE Customer Conference this week in Denver.
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This morning we released a press release outlining a new alliance with GXS. GXS is going to embedded Windows Server 2003, BizTalk 2006 and SQL Server 2005 in their Global Trading Grid. This is a good opportunity for our joint customers to connect and extend their trading networks using a combination on BizTalk and GXS. In addition to BizTalk 2006 & SQL 2005, GXS will also create solutions that take advantage of .NET Framework 2.0 and extend their solution to take advantage of Office. Couple of highlights:
o This new relationship with GXS exposes BizTalk Server to 40,000 existing GXS customers in the enterprise.
o This gives customers the ability to expand their trading partner management capabilities through the integration of BizTalk Server and GXS’s Trading Grid.
o The solution enables a company’s supply chain to connect to their customers, increasing performance and reducing costs
Simplicity - Easily fits into customers’ existing environment
· The solution is simple to deploy and use
Best Value – Increased ROI, Low TCO
· Single integration platform that is low cost to operate, easy to deploy, use and maintain
· Additional expenses such as lengthy training is unnecessary
Efficiency - Bring together all members of the external value chain quickly and efficiently
· Connect and collaborate with suppliers and customers to maximize the efficiency of your supply chain for reduced costs and improved performance.
http://www.gxs.com/gxs/newsroom/pr/2006/05082006.htm
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Have you had an opportunity to checkout our new .NXT Program at http://www.isvnxt.com? The reason we put this program together is to help ISV ‘s that are migrating to .NET. I love some of the comments from the journalist community about why we created the program. They are inferring that because the program is focused on migration it means Linux or as they put it the “L” word. Give me a break. The reason we developed this program was to handle the volume of interest we are seeing in the ISV community in regards to .NET. There are a lot of ISV’s out there that have excellent solutions built on some rather “aging” platforms. This program will help them make the switch to .NET. The .NXT partners have skills in everything from RPG to Notes Migration (Ed B – step away from the ledge (:-})). The program helps my team scale-out to meet market demand (simple economics). There is no conspiracy theory at work here – simply a great program designed to help the ISV community discover the benefits of the Microsoft Platform.
OBTW - I’m already working on my next program. Codename TENTODEVOLI. It will be interesting to see what the press thinks this one means (:-}).
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I’ve been super busy since the holidays and somewhat neglected my BLOG (bad Eddie). I’ve been amazed at how many folks have commented on my ISV Chalk Talk Video on Doc Holiday’s site. If you have had an opportunity to checkout our videos from the Siebel User Conference hop over to Channel 9 and give them a spin. The team has done some pretty amazing office integration you should check-out especially if you are an existing Siebel shop.
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I was in Orlando today at the Invensys Wonderware Conference – man was it good to see the sun after 28 days of rain in the Pacific Northwest. The Business Development Managers in the Manufacturing Vertical asked me to give the keynote session (i.e. this usual means that they can’t find someone higher in the higher in the food chain that is free (:-}). Seriously this event has been planned for a long time and the Manufacturing folks know how much I like to meet with partners who are building leading edge applications. While very time consuming in terms of travel and prep time I love the opportunity to sit down with partners and their customers to see how they are using the Microsoft Platform (this is why I have the coolest job at Microsoft – other than Bill’s). Wonderware is very unique ISV in their space. They build industrial automation and information software for the manufacturing space and have quite the reputation for designing and developing easy to use software that has extensive integration capabilities (based on BizTalk and .NET). They have about 325,000 licenses deployed in about 100,000 plants worldwide. Very impressive deployment numbers indeed but perhaps more impressive is that their stack is a 100% Microsoft based. We are not talking about office automation here but rather mission critical applications running plant floor automation at leading manufacturing facilities worldwide
Wonderware made a technology bet on Microsoft many years ago. They have been very active in many of the technology adoption programs we sponsor. These programs have provided Wonderware with the technology blueprint and guidance to take advantage of emerging innovations from Microsoft so they can add additional functionality and capabilities into their product stack. It was very gratifying listening their customers talk about how they are using the Wonderware solution to drive efficiency in their organization.
I also had the opportunity to moderate one the breakout/focus groups on things Wonderware could do better in terms of solutions. There were 10 topics that participates of the conference could choice from. The breakout sessions covered everything from the anatomy of a successful automation company to the value of the certification. My group’s topic dealt with the server environment and what Wonderware should focus on next. We were asked to focus our conversation around 5 questions dealing with everything form risk to what’s next. It was a pretty incredible dialog among the folks at the table. I would like to thank Chris Jones, Vice President of Maverick Technologies in Columbia Illinois for being our presenter. Also thanks to Lawrence Katzmire, President of Group K Enterprise in West Chester, PA, A.J. Neal a Sr. Electrical Engineer from Barry-Wehmiller Design Group in St. Louis (Barry-Wehmiller is also a Mid Range Alliance Member) and Robert Peters, President of ASECO Integrated Systems (Gold Certified Microsoft Partner) for their stimulating debate and suggestions on how to simplify the complexity of deployments (you guys are going to love what we are doing around DSI).
All and all it was an excellent conference and the folks at Wonderware continue to amaze we with their innovation around the Microsoft Platform. I can’t wait until next year’s conference. Just promise me you will hold it somewhere sunny like Orlando again. Got to run, it’s a 6 hour journey back to Redmond from Orlando (you think it’s raining again in Seattle).
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