Reaching Out to Microsoft Partners in Australia : Technology

Windows Azure for MS Partners

nickmayhew — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:50:14 GMT

Great post from Steve Clayton with a bunch of links to get partners info quickly. Watch this space – 2010 will be a big year for Azure and will create brand new business opportunities for MS Partners.

http://blogs.msdn.com/stevecla01/archive/2009/12/21/windows-azure-for-microsoft-partners.aspx

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/

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

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

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.

New Telstra Mobile Plan – for your customers

nickmayhew — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:44:15 GMT

This is one of the latest (and first) tangible deliverables from the Telstra-Microsoft alliance, but with much more coming in the next few weeks and months !

Here is the customer-facing announcement:

“Better manage your mobility costs with Telstra.

If you're looking to extend mobile access to your employees while leveraging your existing investment in Microsoft Exchange 2003 (or higher), the Microsoft Mobile Enterprise Solution from Telstra brings it all together. Suitable for businesses with compatible Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphones, it features a choice of two plans both with a predictable, fixed monthly fee - making it easier to budget.

For more details visit http://www.telstrabusiness.com/business/portal/online/site/productsservices/microsoftmobileenterprisesolution.196001

“

Now you have the opportunity to provide value to your Exchange-based customers, by introducing them to this offer, and create a business opportunity for yourselves by a potential roll out of Windows Mobile (thus opening up the pipeline for custom business applications built and delivered by partners) on the Telstra network.

Microsoft Surface Partner Program & SDK

nickmayhew — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:26:09 GMT

One of the really interesting WPC announcements was that the Surface team has launched a partner program. I talk regularly with Aussie partners keen to get started on Surface development but the absence of real tables here is a barrier to them. This site and program is a great first step to getting stuck in, including an SDK for development (without the need for a full device).

http://www.surface.com/partners

Press release: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/Jul09/07-13SurfaceWPC.mspx

Azure and interactive maps demonstrator

nickmayhew — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:19:25 GMT

With much momentum behind one part of our overall S+S strategy (namely BPOS/Microsoft Online), partners will in addition begin to see more momentum building on the ‘cloud OS’ side of the equation, namely Azure.

I’ve just seen this announced internally as an example of some of the real world applications going up on the Azure platform – this one for a forthcoming event in Chicago.

http://tasteofchicago09.cloudapp.net/Map.aspx

Nice demonstrator !

Building custom applications for MS Online

nickmayhew — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:46:41 GMT

I know many of our partners will be keen to see this which I found on the MS Online team blog:

http://blogs.technet.com/msonline/archive/2009/06/04/video-interview-building-custom-applications-using-microsoft-online-services.aspx

There is quite a lot of customisation opportunity with the MS Online platform – more than many partners that I have spoken to realise – so I’d encourage you to investigate. Remember to use the developer guides for more info – they are available on the discoveronlineservices.com website.

Microsoft Mapping Roadshow – Melb, Syd, Brisbane - 9-12 June

nickmayhew — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:28:34 GMT

The Microsoft mapping team are holding a series of presentations in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney this June to provide you with all the information you require to integrate maps in to your partner offering or solution. Never before has it been so easy for your organisation to assist customers track assets, find new customers, manage a mobile sales force or to better service their existing customers.

Gain real insight into how map-enabling business applications can be part of your solution offering. If you are a technologist you’ll be amazed at just how easy it is to access and integrate Microsoft maps into your existing environment. Developers should not miss this opportunity to hear from Chris Pendleton, one of the world’s leading experts on the Microsoft mapping platform.

The agenda will consist of:

Informative sessions; you will hear from customers and partners who have utilised Microsoft maps as well as technical presentations and the latest updates from the maps team including integration with Sharepoint, SQL Server 2008 and Dynamics.

A masterclass from Chris Pendleton highlighting useful tips and tricks for developers, ensuring you get the most out of the Microsoft mapping platform.

A valuable opportunity to network with other partners.

Places are limited so if you do wish to register please do so ASAP at https://www.microsoft.com.au/events/register/home.aspx?levent=324573&linvitation

What is Azure – webcast for partners

nickmayhew — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:23:37 GMT

“What exactly is the Azure Services Platform and what does it allow me to do? This session covers the basics including architecture and function, as well as new opportunities the platform provides. Learn too how customers are thinking about cloud computing and how you can join the conversation. Recent updates to the service will also be covered. “

Register here:

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?publisher=12&delivery=267396

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

8:00 am to 9:00 am Pacific Time

So this is not a good time for Australian partners (1am EST) but keep an eye for an on-demand version shortly after.

I firmly believe that the Azure platform is a pivotal offering for us in the developer space – and it will bring exciting new opportunities to our partners.

Facebook App for Windows Mobile Phones

nickmayhew — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:44:50 GMT

New for Windows Mobile users – brand new Facebook app.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/downloads/facebook.mspx

New EBS 2008 and SBS 2008 Click-through Demos Available For Partners!

nickmayhew — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:23:03 GMT

I found this on the SMB Community blog and felt it would be useful for the local partner community – having some simple click-through demos can help busy partners quickly cover off the introduction to a new possible product for their customers and prospects.

Re-posted here for convenience:

“Want a quick, lightweight, and portable way to show off EBS 2008 and SBS 2008? Click-through demos are being posted on the Download Center for you to use starting later today. These click-through demos come with lab manuals that go in depth into the products and how to demonstrate them to potential customers and clients. Some of the topics include:

168179 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Features Overview
168181 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Installation
168182 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - EBS with System Center Essentials
168186 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Installation
168187 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Migration from SBS 2003
168189 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Working With Clients
168185 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Admin Console

To get these click-through demos to use, head out to the Download Center and download the SBS 2008 demos as well as the EBS 2008 demos.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman

”