Reaching Out to Microsoft Partners in Australia : Events

Congrats to all partner conference award winners

nickmayhew — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:02:00 GMT

CRN published the full list here – well done to all winners and finalists !

http://www.crn.com.au/News/154929,didata-four-time-winner-at-microsoft-channel-awards.aspx

Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Virtualisation Partner of the Year

Winner: Jasco Consulting Pty Ltd
Finalist: Hostworks Limited
Finalist: Emantra Pty Ltd

Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Windows Desktop Deployment Partner of the Year

Winner: Dimension Data
Finalist: Gen-I Australia Pty Ltd

Business Intelligence Partner of the Year

Winner: Hands-On Management Pty Ltd
Finalist: IntelliMax Solutions Pty Ltd
Finalist: Calumo Labs Pty Ltd

Competitive Partner of the Year

Winner: Ensyst
Finalist: Zap

Data Management Solutions Partner of the Year:

Winner: Wardy IT Solutions Pty Ltd
Finalist: Dimension Data
Finalist: Calumo Labs Pty Ltd

Distributor Solution Partner of the Year:

Express Data Holdings

Enterprise Partner of the Year:

Winner: Dimension Data
Finalist: Data#3 Limited
Finalist: OBS

Environmental and Sustainability Solution Partner of the Year

Dataract

Information Worker Solutions, Portal and Collaboration Partner of the Year:

Winner: Unique World
Finalist: Ensyst Pty Ltd
Finalist: OBS
Finalist: Avanade

Information Worker Solutions, Search Partner of the Year:

Winner: Ensyst Pty Ltd
Finalist: OBS

Information Worker Solutions, Office Deployment Partner of the Year:

Winner: Dimension Data

ISV / Software Solutions Innovation Partner of the Year:

Winner: Zap
Finalist: Mobilise IT Pty Ltd
Finalist: CDC Software

ISV / Software Solutions Partner of the Year:

Winner: Brookstone Technologies Pty Limited
Finalist: MYOB Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Task Retail (NSW) Pty Ltd

Learning Partner of the Year:

Winner: New Horizons Learning Centres Pty Ltd
Finalist: Excom Education
Finalist: Dimension Data Learning Solutions

Licensing Solutions, License Delivery Partner of the Year:

Winner: Data#3 Limited
Finalist: Dimension Data
Finalist: Insight Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd

Licensing Solutions, Software Asset Management Partner of the Year:

Winner: Dimension Data
Finalist: Insight Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Data#3 Limited

Microsoft Dynamics, CRM Partner of the Year:

Winner: Jaythom Pty Ltd
Finalist: Oakton Services Pty Ltd
Finalist: Professional Advantage Pty Ltd

Microsoft Dynamics, ERP Partner of the Year:

Winner: Hands-on Systems
Finalist: Eclipse Computing Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Professional Advantage Pty Ltd

Microsoft Dynamics, Industry/Vertical Solution Partner of the Year:

Winner: Eclipse Computing Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Sable Systems
Finalist: Scalable Data Systems Pty Ltd

Mobility Industry Solution Partner of the Year:

Winner: Mobilise IT Pty Ltd
Finalist: Retriever Communications Pty Ltd

Mobility Solutions Business Application Partner of the Year:

Winner: LogicalTech
Finalist: Mobilise IT Pty Ltd

Networking Infrastructure Solutions Partner of the Year:

Winner: Solutionware Pty Ltd
Finalist: Calvert Technologies
Finalist: Comcity Technology Pty Ltd

Notes Transition Partner of the Year:

Winner: Emantra Pty Ltd
Finalist: Quest Software Pty Ltd
Finalist: Thomas Duryea Consulting Pl

Public Sector Education Industry Solutions Partner of the Year:

Winner: Ensyst Pty Ltd
Finalist: Calumo Labs Pty Ltd
Finalist: OBS

Public Sector Health Industry Partner of the Year:

Winner: Fred Health Pty Ltd
Finalist: Eclipse Computing Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Senetas Corporation

Software+Services Hosting Partner of the Year:

Winner: BlueFire Corporation
Finalist: Emantra Pty Ltd
Finalist: WebCentral, a Melbourne IT Company

Security Solution Partner of the Year:

Winner: Data#3 Limited

Small Business Solution Partner of the Year:

Winner: Comcity Technology Pty Ltd
Finalist: Correct Solutions Pty Ltd
Finalist: Evolve IT Australia

Unified Communications Partner of the Year:

Winner: Jasco Consulting Pty Ltd
Finalist: Gen-I Australia Pty Ltd
Finalist: Empired Ltd

Community Impact Initiative Partner of the Year:

Winner: OBS

TechNet Virtual Conference

nickmayhew — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:43:47 GMT

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-11.00am IT Manager Session: How Microsoft does IT: Save Time, Save Energy
This session is designed to demonstrate to customers how Microsoft IT uses our technologies internally, as well as other general best practices, to Save Time, Save Energy and Save Money for the company. Key themes such as using Unified Communications to improve employee productivity and reduce T&E expenses and our carbon footprint, using virtualization technology built natively into Windows Server 2008 to better utilize hardware and decrease power consumption in data centers, consolidation of data centers and infrastructure through Microsoft’s enabling technologies and Power Management features of Windows will be explored among other topics.

11.30am-12.30pm Desktop/End User Specialist Session: Windows 7 Manageability Solutions
This session will explore Windows 7 manageability features for increased automation, reducing help desk calls, and flexible administrator control. We will discuss how Windows Powershell V2.0 automates desktop administrative activities to improve productivity and how Group Policy and Group Policy Preferences enhancements and Applocker make it easier and more flexible for IT Professionals to manage desktop systems. Then we will discuss improvements to desktop auditing to monitor system changes and improvements in system restore capabilities. Finally, we will discuss Support tools such as built-in Windows Troubleshooting Packs, Problem Steps Recorder capabilities, Windows Recovery Environment, Startup Repair tool, Resource Monitor that provides detailed resource utilization, and Reliability Monitor that includes more robust capabilities to help identify and solve system issues.

1.00pm-2.00pm Line of Business/Applications Specialist Session: SQL Server Consolidation/Virtualisation

Microsoft SQL Server supports multiple options for server consolidation, providing organizations with the flexibility to choose the consolidation approach that best meets their requirements in order to centralize data services management and reduce hardware and maintenance costs. By providing centralized management, auditing, and monitoring capabilities, SQL Server makes it easy for you to manage multiple databases and data services, significantly reducing administrative overheads in large enterprises. SQL Server can provide you with the reassurance of industry-leading performance and scalability, and unprecedented control over server resource utilization to maximize the performance of your consolidated data services. Join this session to find out more about the various options for server consolidation with SQL Server, and best practices to get the most out of your environment.

2.30pm-3.30pm Infrastructure Specialist Session: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Group Policy Changes
This session will explore Group Policy enhancements in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. We will show you how Administrative template improvements make it easier to configure and Group Policy preference improvements to configure defaults for non-Group Policy-aware Windows components. Then we will discuss Starter GPO improvements and scripting Group Policy Objects using Windows Powershell Group Policy cmdlets.

Interested in MS Online and going to partner conference ?

nickmayhew — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:39:50 GMT

If so then you’ll be interested in these roundtables that Kathryn Saducas is running with Telstra:

“You’re invited to attend Roundtable Sessions at APC

The roundtable sessions with Telstra and Microsoft will provide you the opportunity to connect with Telstra executives and Microsoft to learn more about Microsoft Online Services and engaging with Telstra. The format of the sessions will be held in small groups and are designed to be a two way discussion.

There are a number of different sessions scheduled during APC (see below). Please send an email to Olivia Cortes to confirm which session you would like to attend. Space is limited to 8-10 partners per session so we will do our best to accommodate you. So please RSVP to your preferred session.

Also, if you have any thoughts on topics for discussion, please include these in your email to Olivia so we can craft the best session for you.

Roundtable Title and Time

What it’s all about

Time: Thurs 3^rd September 1:45 – 2:30pm

Title: ISV Development Opportunity

Hosts: Marcus Bartram / Dave Carden (Telstra), Kathryn Saducas / Stefan Jansen (Microsoft)

Discussion Topics:

· Learn about the T-Suite strategy and the opportunity for ISVs.

· Understand the application selection criteria for T-Suite.

Time: Thurs 3^rd September 4:00 – 4:45pm

Title: SMB MS Online Roundtable 1

Hosts: Marcus Bartram / Dave Carden (Telstra), Kathryn Saducas (Microsoft)

Discussion Topics:

· How to engage with Telstra and Microsoft around customer opportunities.

· What the business rules are and other necessary details

· What training / readiness support do you require.

Time: Thur 3^rd September 4:55-5:40pm

Title: Interested in Becoming a Telstra Dealer?

Hosts: Dave Carden / Marcus Bartram (Telstra)

Discussion Topics:

· Understand the various ways to engage with Telstra.

· Augment your current customer offerings and add new revenue streams with Telstra’s broadband and Next IP services.

· Learn about the Telstra ICT Partner Program.

Time: Thur 4^th September 11:00-11:45pm

Title: SMB MS Online Roundtable 2 (repeat)

Hosts: Marcus Bartram / Dave Carden (Telstra), Kathryn Saducas (Microsoft)

Discussion Topics (as above):

· How to make money out of Microsoft Online Services.

· How to engage with Telstra and Microsoft around customer opportunities.

· What training / readiness support do you require.

RSVP Information:

For more information or to RSVP for one of the above sessions email Olivia Cortes Olivia.Cortes@team.telstra.com (Telstra).

If you have any further queries or want to connect with someone at APC around Microsoft Online Services outside of the above sessions, please email Kathryn Saducas ksaducas@microsoft.com.

“

Australian Partner Award Finalists Announced

nickmayhew — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:13:03 GMT

Sarah Arnold has just announced the finalists in our local partner awards. Congratulations to everyone recognised and good luck for the final announcements:

http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/archive/2009/08/11/australia-partner-awards-finalist-announced.aspx

Partner Program Changes – clarification on exams and news on briefing events across the country

nickmayhew — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:58:41 GMT

I saw this article published in ARN and it was interesting to read the concerns expressed by Tony Banks over losing the investment in certifications for his team. I wanted to take a moment to clarify that this does not need to be a significant concern as long as certifications are kept up to date. Credit for certifications aligned to relatively new technology sets will continue to be an important part of meeting the requirements of a competency under the new Microsoft Partner Network. Indeed this is no change per se from the current program where keeping certifications up to date was a requirement of the competencies.

The new competency list is shown here for further reference and we’ll be providing more information at the next level of detail in the coming weeks. Partners attending the Australian Partner Conference will also have the chance to ask questions directly of the Microsoft team of course. For those of you not attending Australia Partner Conference, Inese Kingsmill and her team will be doing state sessions over the next two weeks. If this is of interest to you please register and attend one of the events below:

August 17: Victoria, Melbourne -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423237&Culture=en-AU

August 18: Perth, WA -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423242&Culture=en-AU

August 19: Adelaide, South Australia -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423238&Culture=en-AU

August 20: Canberra, ACT -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423239&Culture=en-AU

August 25: Brisbane, QLD -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423241&Culture=en-AU

August 26: Sydney, NSW –

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423245&Culture=en-AU

August 31:Gold Coast, QLD -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423243&Culture=en-AU

Australia Partner Conference 2009 - Agenda Now Available!

nickmayhew — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:53:44 GMT

The Australia Partner Team have worked hard to assemble a critical agenda to help you gain a competitive advantage, and deliver you the tools and business intelligence you need to compete and win in the current economy. This year’s agenda is focused on helping you - our frontline Partners - engage, grow and monetise the opportunities that Microsoft will deliver in FY10.

You can now view the Agenda overview here. Make sure you check back at the Partner Portal in the next week, as you’ll be able to customise your own agenda and preview the content!

News just released - Philip Fawcett, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft Research has been locked for the Locknote on Friday 4^th September. Philip provides an amazing insight into Future Trends, New Technology and Principals of Breakthrough Technology. Not to be missed!

New to this years conference – We have an entire stream allocated to Enterprise / Corporate Accounts, Public Sector & SMB customer segments! Specific ISV, Hosting, S+S sessions are also targeted in this years agenda! Take a closer look here.

Secure your place – register today!

WPC Highlights

nickmayhew — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:07:06 GMT

Don’t forget to check out Digital WPC for all the goodies from last week’s WPC. I’ve been watching the keynotes in the past few days for example. There is lots of content up on the site including all the other sessions and importantly you can find out more on the details of the Microsoft Partner Network announcements.

Australian Partner Conference Awards – get your entry in !

nickmayhew — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:53:57 GMT

Hurry! You have just two weeks left to enter your submission in the Microsoft Australia Partner of the Year Awards. Entries close 24th June 2009, and award finalists will be announced on 10th August 2009, so make sure you submit your solution as soon as possible.

This year there are 30 award categories.

Don’t miss this chance to:

Receive your award in front of the Microsoft Partner community - at the popular Partner of the Year Gala dinner.
Gain press coverage in a Microsoft press release about the awards, and the October issue of Qantas Magazine.
Feature on the Find A Partner homepage.
Gain use of a web part and email signature promoting your business as an award winner.
Provide a testimonial about the award, and feature on Partner TV.

Submit today

Invite to the Optus Small Business Workshop

nickmayhew — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:42:34 GMT

You are invited to attend a Microsoft Small Business Workshop being held at Optus. Drinks and canapés will be served while Angus Mansfield from XCentral discusses how you can cut costs using existing Microsoft IT infrastructure and Windows Mobile devices, amongst a host of other topics including:

Cutting business costs in tough economic times
Using the technology you already have to mobilize your business
How mobility can drive business value
Choosing the right smart phone package

See demonstrations of the latest Microsoft Windows Mobile smartphones on the night.

Be in the running to win great prizes, including a Windows Mobile 6.1 HTC device, by answering a simple question on the night.

When: Tuesday, 16 June 2009 at 6pm-7.00pm

Where: Shop C4-C6, Greenwood Plaza, Cnr Miller St and Pacific Hwy, North Sydney, Sydney, NSW

When: Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 6pm-7.00pm

Where: Shop C, 1 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

When: Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 6pm-7.00pm

Where: Shop 7, Stockland Glendale, Lake Rd; Newcastle, NSW

RSVP

BPOS review worth reading

nickmayhew — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:49:00 GMT

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cloud-computing-bpos,2313.html

We are building substantial sales momentum now with BPOS for enterprise agreement customers and the launch planning with Telstra continues to progress well, so I encourage all of our partners to consider how you can grow your own business and better service your customers with the new options for delivery of software+services via Microsoft Online. The article above is a good independent review that gives a good level of detail.

And of course come to the partner roadshow next week for much more info.

Reminder – Microsoft Online Partner Roadshows kick off next week

nickmayhew — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:33:21 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmayhew/archive/2009/05/18/microsoft-online-partner-roadshow-all-cities-enrol-now.aspx for all the info.

Or Register Now to get on with it :-)

Partner Conference Registrations Open

nickmayhew — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:28:23 GMT

https://www.infosalons.com.au/APC2009/ticket.asp

TechEd Virtual Pressroom

nickmayhew — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:36:59 GMT

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://www.office2010themovie.com/

Microsoft Online Services – Australian partner webcast 16th April

nickmayhew — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:11:31 GMT

Microsoft Online Services will soon be available in Australia, providing customers with enterprise-class software programs delivered as a subscription service, hosted by Microsoft and sold with partners. The offering includes Microsoft Exchange Online with Microsoft Exchange Hosted Filtering, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online and Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

By referring and building on Microsoft Online Services, partners are able to provide consulting, migration and managed services for customers, delivering solutions that meet customer needs and generate predictable and recurring revenue streams. Many Australian partners have already signed up to become an Online Services advisor.

In this Live Meeting, Lee Hickin (Microsoft Technical Sales) and Kathryn Saducas (Channel Development Manager) will present:

•	Microsoft Online Services: overview, functionality and platform (demo)
•	How to position the BPOS solution to your customers and winning sales scenarios
•	Customer Value Propositions
•	Licensing, and the provisioning process

This session is not to be missed by any Partner wishing to know more about these new services and who is contemplating building a Software Plus Services practise.

When: Thursday 16^th April 2009

Time: 12pm – 1pm EST

For more information about Microsoft Online Services visit: www.discoveronlineservices.com.

Regards

The Microsoft Partner Team

In Australia, Microsoft has entered an exclusive alliance with Telstra to distribute MS Online Services to customers. All non-EA customers will need to transact through the Telstra portal T-Suite rather than directly with Microsoft. This means that some of the details in the above resources do not apply or will be modified to accommodate the new distribution model. For more information about this alliance read the FAQs on the partner portal

IAMCP meetings this week in Sydney and Melbourne

nickmayhew — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:36:32 GMT

The IAMCP is holding its first meeting for 2009!

As you are aware the aim of the IAMCP is to bring together like minded Microsoft Partners who, in this economic climate, have an imperative for profitability in the context of P2P networking and corporate citizenship.

These key issues will be succinctly addressed at our meeting:

1. How to strengthen your focus on core business while maximising success with peripheral opportunity

2. Advocacy to Microsoft. Get your message delivered, with group power and accountability

3. Showcasing of your company’s services and solutions

4. New Partner Program

RSVP, or call Julian Warne directly on 0415 216-787.

Sydney:

Your local IAMCP Boardmember Keith Bromwich, of Bluefish Software in Sydney, will also be in attendance.
Venue: Chicane, Map 20 Bond St Sydney
Date: Wednesday 25^th March
Time: 5:30pm for 6:15pm start

Melbourne:

IAMCP Boardmember Chris Prince, of Wave Business Performance Solutions in Melbourne, will also be in attendance.
Venue: Young & Jacksons, Map
Date: Thursday 26^th March
Time: 5:30pm for 6:15pm start

Meetings are also taking place in Brisbane soon.