Reaching Out to Microsoft Partners in Australia : General

Simplifying Cloud Services

nickmayhew — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:10:17 GMT

With such a plethora of definitions, options and understandings of the broad IT term ‘cloud’ we’ve just launched a new worldwide site to bring our offerings together – with information laid out in simple terms with content categorised by role.

www.microsoft.com/cloudservices

Major announcements on Azure

nickmayhew — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:40:30 GMT

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

Sharepoint 2010 review on ARN

nickmayhew — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:09:50 GMT

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..

New user interface concepts

nickmayhew — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:43:28 GMT

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/

BPOS Worldwide Announcements

nickmayhew — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:09:27 GMT

We’ve just made some important announcements around availability (in new markets) and pricing for BPOS. You can read the detail here on the official press release and more on the official Online Services blog.

Note that given the local alliance with Telstra, Australian partners should wait for specific local information from Telstra on any further developments on the MS Online platform as delivered through T-Suite and not assume the worldwide announcements automatically flow through.

Partners should start with joining the LinkedIn Community that Kathryn Saducas is running.

How partners can make money from Windows 7

nickmayhew — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:12:04 GMT

Now Windows 7 is finally launched to everyone it’s time for partners to think about using this as a compelling event for new discussions with your customers. As you’d expect there is a ton of useful content to help you with positioning.

Start here: https://partner.microsoft.com/40084742?msp_id=Windows7

But the key thing to do immediately is use it internally. Whether you are Action Pack subscribers or Gold/Cert partners you have sufficient rights to give the software a really good run yourself and with your teams.

Then follow the link above and you’ll see some targetted content based on your business model. e.g. services partners go here: https://partner.microsoft.com/40103797

We’ve already done a fair amount of training for partners but also keep an eye on the training and readiness blog for up and coming courses and webcasts.

Meet the new Windows Phone

nickmayhew — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:09:16 GMT

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

And the worldwide press info is here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/windowsphone/default.aspx

Microsoft Online Store Goes Live in Australia

nickmayhew — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:09:55 GMT

http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/321112/microsoft_sells_software_direct_via_internet?fp=16&fpid=1

See : www.microsoftstore.com.au

What do you think about this as a partner ? Send me a mail – I am keen to know your views…

Help your customers with Daylight Savings changes

nickmayhew — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:01:45 GMT

Daylight Savings changes in Western Australia – prepare now!

Daylight Savings time changes can have a significant impact on business performance if not dealt with proactively. Effects can range from the incorrect time display on the clock, to calendaring problems, to changes in business critical services that are time dependent. This year, Western Australians rejected by referendum a proposal to extend their trial of daylight savings. As a result there will be no daylight savings in WA this year or for the foreseeable future. The time change was scheduled for 25 October, but will no longer occur.

We need our partners’ help to ensure your customers are reviewing their preparedness for these changes. See the Australia 2009 Daylight Saving Planning Guide.

Thanks !

Outlook 2003 and Exchange Online – beta announcement

nickmayhew — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:12:47 GMT

“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 setting up meetings, and the ability to access your organization’s global address list (GAL) from Outlook when you're offline. The add-in is currently in private beta testing with selected MVPs, Partners, and customers, and we’re ready to broaden the audience.”

More here:

http://blogs.technet.com/msonline/archive/2009/09/24/do-you-want-to-use-outlook-2003-with-exchange-online.aspx

Setting up HTC Snap with Email if not on Telstra MMES plan

nickmayhew — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:15:26 GMT

From the local Windows Mobile team blog:

“The HTC Snap has been out for a while now through Telstra. The default configuration is set to take advantage of the new flat rate data plans – know as Microsoft Mobile Enterprise Solution (MMES) http://www.telstraenterprise.com/productsservices/mobility/officemobility/Pages/MicrosoftMobileEnterpriseSolution.aspx

We’ve been hearing that some customers are experiencing “difficulty” in setting up e-mail with the SNAP, so here’s the guide to getting Exchange ActiveSync setup if you’re not on the new Telstra plans (MMES).”

Continued here:

http://blogs.msdn.com/wmoz/archive/2009/09/17/htc-snap-activesync-setup-if-not-on-telstra-mmes-plans.aspx

Bing Visual Search – how to make it work in Australia

nickmayhew — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:43:06 GMT

Like the entire blogosphere, I wanted to check out Bing Visual Search for myself this morning. So I clicked on www.bing.com/visual search only to be disappointed with the following:

So I quickly changed the default country to the US ands voila, works fine ! This new Bing feature is just something you have to see ….

1. Click on country – top right hand side

2. Select US

3. From Bing home page just overwrite URL to be www.bing.com/visualsearch

4. And start searching your favourite of the initial categories – make sure you try your mouse scroll wheel…

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

MS Online goes live on Telstra T-Suite

nickmayhew — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:05:59 GMT

Today we made the announcement that BPOS is now available for customers through Telstra’s T-Suite portal. This is of course an important milestone for partners keen to get old involved in the MS Online space.

Lots of discussion and information will be going on at partner conference on the Gold coast. Remember to join the LinkedIn group as a first step if you are interested in getting involved, as well as signing the MOSPA agreement and the Telstra partner agreement (“TOSA”).

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/announcements_article.cfm?ObjectID=45443

Exchange 2010 RC is available for download

nickmayhew — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:35:09 GMT

RC=release candidate=just about done

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2010/en/us/try-it.aspx

The key release themes, to help you position to your customers, are as follows:

Flexible and Reliable
Anywhere Access
Protection and Compliance

You can get the product overview here: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2010/en/us/overview.aspx