I don’t normally write about specific technology products, but last week Microsoft released to manufacturing a great new product called Windows MultiPoint Server 2011. This product has been revved from the previous version and I think has a great application for those of us serving small businesses. The previous version was only designed for education users – but this version – while still designed with education in mind – has a significant play for us in SMB.
With Windows MultiPoint Server 2011, the licensing and purchase model has been simplified. There are still two versions as before, with similar restrictions:
• Windows MultiPoint 2011 Standard – still cannot join a domain and still has a max of 10 work stations
• Windows MultiPoint 2011 Premium – CAN join a domain as before and can have up to 20 workstations
The most important piece of information to note in the SMB space, is that BOTH of these MultiPoint editions are offered in multiple Microsoft licensing channels. So now you don’t have to be a large school to actually purchase the more useful edition of MultiPoint. And that is where our opportunity comes in.
Imagine going to your small business customer with this solution. You walk in the door and are told they don’t have any money to upgrade their network. Their equipment is 5-7 years old and you have been holding things together with baling wire for the last couple years. They have a dozen XP workstations and a server that has run out of space so it is eating you alive on your managed service program as you have to clean files weekly just to keep it up and running.
The way that conversation normally goes is trying to coax enough funds out of them to replace the server and maybe a critical workstation or two. With Windows MultiPoint 2011 Premium – we now have some real options to help these businesses refresh in a less expensive but very impactful way. We still need to get a new server to do the work – but rather than also have the battle over replacing workstations – we can extend their life with MultiPoint. They become end terminals that don’t need to be upgraded from XP to Win 7. That happens as a MultiPoint client.
But wait, there’s more. The 2011 version of Windows MultiPoint Server has support for thin clients. Here is where I think the big win for Small Business can occur. If you have 12 XP workstations, you can simply obtain 1 copy of MultiPoint Premium and now each of those XP workstations have another 5 years of life but yet, they get a full Windows 7 experience when used as a MultiPoint workstation over the network. And when they finally begin to die – you can replace them with thin client devices rather than buying a new PC. It all runs over the current Ethernet network you have in place. And the real deal – it runs in a virtual session on a Windows server too.
We have been testing Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 in one of our education clients for the past few months. Our engineer has four virtual servers running WMS 2011 and serving thin clients and older desktops and notebooks alike. It has great management features for the teacher or business owner – the ability to shadow users – block activity – really keep track of productivity on the network.
It is essentially a turnkey TS server on steroids. Just show the business owner the console where you can get a thumbnail of each individual workstation. Business owners will love that they can now watch their employees desktops for use of Facebook or selling something on EBay, or other non-productive time wasting tasks on work time.
You owe it to your customers to take a serious look at Windows MultiPoint Server 2011. Combined with the new SBS product line – this will be a killer opportunity for us in the SMB space to refresh our clients to a level of productivity where they can use all the current technology without having to battle with them to buy all new hardware. It is a win for all of us in the mix. Check it out, and let me know what creative ways you come up with to deliver this technology to the marketplace!
Here are some resources for those of you interested in more:
1. The main website just went live today with WMS 2011 content. http://www.microsoft.com/multipoint
2. WMS 2011 Premium Eval is on the download center. This is a 180 day eval. It can convert to full product by entering a key. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=3188a587-3542-4dda-99b3-551cdabe581f
3. WMS 2011 Premium full product is also on technet for technet subscribers. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/default.aspx?PV=42%3a433%3a---%3aen%3ax64
4. And it’s also on MSDN for MSDN subscribers. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/default.aspx?PV=42:433:---:en:x64
Showing posts with label SBS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SBS. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
WPC Day Two
So a bit of a departure on the topic today as I normally don't write about technology and certainly not products, but this one is really worth discussing. Change is coming to a small business near you - and we need to get ready and prepare for our entry into this brave new world of on premise and cloud services. Microsoft has built a product just for us - so here are some thoughts....
This week marks a transition for SMB partners with the announcement of Microsoft Small Business Server "Aurora." Aurora is targeting companies on the smaller end of SMB, while the regular Small Business Server product will grow beyond the limitation of 25 users. Aurora does not come with Exchange Server and SharePoint but serves as a basic domain controller giving small businesses a stable and reliable internal on premise networking environment. Key workloads like e-mail and document management can then be handled through the use of cloud services making the maintenance and administrative overhead that's a feature of the normal Small Business Server product go away. The result is a greatly simplified product that's ideal for organizations with little or no IT expertise.
One thing that cloud doesn't do so well is file serving or backup provisioning so Aurora includes extra features to help in this area: it includes the flexible, replicated storage capabilities and remote backup features found in Windows Home Server, which are fantastic. I personally use these in our home network and love the ability to automatically backup devices with no human interaction beyond setup. This will be the first time that Microsoft takes these features out of the home and puts them in the workplace.
Beta is only a little ways down the road, so be watching for the opportunity to check this product out. It is refreshing to see Microsoft bring a very targeted solution to the SMB channel. SBS is still a fantastic product, but doesn’t give as many options for this rapidly changing technology environment that now includes the cloud, which was but a dream when SBS was designed many years ago. Having a couple options in the under 25 user space gives partners the opportunity to do what we do best – to assess the client needs and then recommend the right solution to achieve the client goals.
There is no doubt that the cloud is going to move into the SMB space – it already has in a lot of instances - and this product gives partners a great entry point into that environment. The discussions among partners have been mixed but mostly positive. The fear is that we are introducing a low cost solution that will mean a lot less revenue to the partner. That is a fact – but the same fact that cloud in general will be bringing to a corner near each of us very soon. So we can’t dwell on that – we have to dwell on the new opportunities it brings along. Aurora will definitely allow us to place servers into clients that today can’t or won’t justify spending the money. It will be very cost effective and allow us to really penetrate a bigger target audience. That is very good.
Aurora will allow us to put our toe in the cloud water – not necessarily cannibalizing our current SBS customer base – but adding more clients to support and allow us to transition our business model and learn how to leverage the cloud for the future. We have to learn this somehow – and Aurora gives us a platform to make that happen. Change is coming to the SMB partner channel. We can either embrace it and leverage a fresh and valuable new product like Aurora or stick our heads in the sand and resist hoping it all passes by as a fad. I remember when some said the Internet would be a fad………haven’t seen them around this year!
This week marks a transition for SMB partners with the announcement of Microsoft Small Business Server "Aurora." Aurora is targeting companies on the smaller end of SMB, while the regular Small Business Server product will grow beyond the limitation of 25 users. Aurora does not come with Exchange Server and SharePoint but serves as a basic domain controller giving small businesses a stable and reliable internal on premise networking environment. Key workloads like e-mail and document management can then be handled through the use of cloud services making the maintenance and administrative overhead that's a feature of the normal Small Business Server product go away. The result is a greatly simplified product that's ideal for organizations with little or no IT expertise.
One thing that cloud doesn't do so well is file serving or backup provisioning so Aurora includes extra features to help in this area: it includes the flexible, replicated storage capabilities and remote backup features found in Windows Home Server, which are fantastic. I personally use these in our home network and love the ability to automatically backup devices with no human interaction beyond setup. This will be the first time that Microsoft takes these features out of the home and puts them in the workplace.
Beta is only a little ways down the road, so be watching for the opportunity to check this product out. It is refreshing to see Microsoft bring a very targeted solution to the SMB channel. SBS is still a fantastic product, but doesn’t give as many options for this rapidly changing technology environment that now includes the cloud, which was but a dream when SBS was designed many years ago. Having a couple options in the under 25 user space gives partners the opportunity to do what we do best – to assess the client needs and then recommend the right solution to achieve the client goals.
There is no doubt that the cloud is going to move into the SMB space – it already has in a lot of instances - and this product gives partners a great entry point into that environment. The discussions among partners have been mixed but mostly positive. The fear is that we are introducing a low cost solution that will mean a lot less revenue to the partner. That is a fact – but the same fact that cloud in general will be bringing to a corner near each of us very soon. So we can’t dwell on that – we have to dwell on the new opportunities it brings along. Aurora will definitely allow us to place servers into clients that today can’t or won’t justify spending the money. It will be very cost effective and allow us to really penetrate a bigger target audience. That is very good.
Aurora will allow us to put our toe in the cloud water – not necessarily cannibalizing our current SBS customer base – but adding more clients to support and allow us to transition our business model and learn how to leverage the cloud for the future. We have to learn this somehow – and Aurora gives us a platform to make that happen. Change is coming to the SMB partner channel. We can either embrace it and leverage a fresh and valuable new product like Aurora or stick our heads in the sand and resist hoping it all passes by as a fad. I remember when some said the Internet would be a fad………haven’t seen them around this year!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Some Great Free Stuff
Good friend Mike Iem puts out a great newsletter for partners in the SMB space, and it is free. Sign up for it here: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102241330914
If you attended our joint Summit last April in Dallas you definitely met Mike Iem. He get's things done and is now working for Microsoft on an initiative focused on supporting SBS partner groups in the US and sharing information with partner groups Worldwide! He is a very-available liaison for partners to Microsoft. Over the last few years he has organized the SBS Partner Tours and worked with the SBS Leads Groups to provide information and resources to all Partner Groups (user groups) and individuals.
One of the hottest things Mike produces from time to time is the super-amazing Partner Group DVD. This is the one golden DVD you need to know what's going on for partners in the SMB space. The 2009 DVD is almost ready. In the past, the DVD has put together marketing programs, videos, demo tools, screen shots, webinars, white papers, and LOTS of other great information and updates targeted specifically for the SMB Consultant. This is literally all the content you need from Microsoft in one awesome package.
Mike reports that the DVD is "complete" and churning through the Microsoft process to distribution.There's a 99% chance that this will be distributed as an ISO image for download. So if you're not a member of a user group, you'll still have access to it.But you don't want to miss out, so please Join Mike's Newsletter NOW so you won't miss the announcement. It will probably come out in the next two weeks. So now is absolutely the best time to sign up for this email newsletter. Mike's newsletter always has great information on marketing and promotions that will help you make more money.
If you attended our joint Summit last April in Dallas you definitely met Mike Iem. He get's things done and is now working for Microsoft on an initiative focused on supporting SBS partner groups in the US and sharing information with partner groups Worldwide! He is a very-available liaison for partners to Microsoft. Over the last few years he has organized the SBS Partner Tours and worked with the SBS Leads Groups to provide information and resources to all Partner Groups (user groups) and individuals.
One of the hottest things Mike produces from time to time is the super-amazing Partner Group DVD. This is the one golden DVD you need to know what's going on for partners in the SMB space. The 2009 DVD is almost ready. In the past, the DVD has put together marketing programs, videos, demo tools, screen shots, webinars, white papers, and LOTS of other great information and updates targeted specifically for the SMB Consultant. This is literally all the content you need from Microsoft in one awesome package.
Mike reports that the DVD is "complete" and churning through the Microsoft process to distribution.There's a 99% chance that this will be distributed as an ISO image for download. So if you're not a member of a user group, you'll still have access to it.But you don't want to miss out, so please Join Mike's Newsletter NOW so you won't miss the announcement. It will probably come out in the next two weeks. So now is absolutely the best time to sign up for this email newsletter. Mike's newsletter always has great information on marketing and promotions that will help you make more money.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Announcements from LPI
Level Platforms has made a couple important announcements that are important to note if you are using their platform or considering an MSP solution. The first is the announcement of full virtualization support for their Managed Workplace solution. We all know that virtualization is a pervasive technology that is just getting its feet wet but will soon be as common as the cold. So it is important to have solutions to manage those environments and now you can. Check out the details at http://www.htgmembers.com/2008-11-05%20Virtualization.pdf.
Equally important, the folks at LPI announced at launch last week the ability to have comprehensive remote monitoring, management and reporting for SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 in minutes by downloading and applying the new integrated suite of Policy Modules. This is great news for those who are deploying the fantastic new SBS and EBS products from Microsoft. Again good stuff as you can monitor and manage these new products out of the gate. You can get their details at http://www.htgmembers.com/2008-11-13_SBS_EBS.pdf on this release.
Are you on the MSP bandwagon yet? Great products that continue to get better from LPI and all the tool providers. There is huge opportunity to help end users take cost out of their businesses during these difficult economic times using managed service tools. It is a great way to gain market and increase value for your customers. Get in the game now, while the opportunity is still there.
Equally important, the folks at LPI announced at launch last week the ability to have comprehensive remote monitoring, management and reporting for SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 in minutes by downloading and applying the new integrated suite of Policy Modules. This is great news for those who are deploying the fantastic new SBS and EBS products from Microsoft. Again good stuff as you can monitor and manage these new products out of the gate. You can get their details at http://www.htgmembers.com/2008-11-13_SBS_EBS.pdf on this release.
Are you on the MSP bandwagon yet? Great products that continue to get better from LPI and all the tool providers. There is huge opportunity to help end users take cost out of their businesses during these difficult economic times using managed service tools. It is a great way to gain market and increase value for your customers. Get in the game now, while the opportunity is still there.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Less than a week away
Things have been way too quiet around the upcoming launch of SBS2008 and EBS. Time for all of us to let people in our patch know about the upcoming Launch. There hasn't been nearly enough hoopla or air cover. So it is up to us as partners to set off some rockets and fireworks in our own cities and towns. And it is time to do it NOW.
In less than a week, the Dream Server Launch will happen. http://www.thedreamserver.com/ Know what I am talking about? The new kid in the Windows Server Family becomes public on November 12. That is also the day that SBS2008 makes its public debut. Our own Erik Thorsell from HTG3 will be part of that launch with his great work for Robby Gordon Motor Sports. We also had about 10 other HTG partners who had customers in the TAP program doing beta deployment and testing. Two great products that have potential to help you grow your SMB business. Generate leads by inviting your customers and prospects to the Windows Essential Server Solutions special launch webcast (link above) using guidance (https://partner.microsoft.com/40082316) and an invitation email template (https://partner.microsoft.com/40082139). Take a look at the tools provided and take action now to get involved. Don't miss the opportunity. Get involved and take action today.
In less than a week, the Dream Server Launch will happen. http://www.thedreamserver.com/ Know what I am talking about? The new kid in the Windows Server Family becomes public on November 12. That is also the day that SBS2008 makes its public debut. Our own Erik Thorsell from HTG3 will be part of that launch with his great work for Robby Gordon Motor Sports. We also had about 10 other HTG partners who had customers in the TAP program doing beta deployment and testing. Two great products that have potential to help you grow your SMB business. Generate leads by inviting your customers and prospects to the Windows Essential Server Solutions special launch webcast (link above) using guidance (https://partner.microsoft.com/40082316) and an invitation email template (https://partner.microsoft.com/40082139). Take a look at the tools provided and take action now to get involved. Don't miss the opportunity. Get involved and take action today.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Unraveling the SBS 2003 mystery
I have had quite a few emails and questions on the unannounced drop of SBS2003 from the Volume licensing pricelist which has left some in a position on how to fulfill commitments made to their clients. There now is a post you can read to get the latest:
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/10/16/9001677.aspx
Eric Ligman explains the changes that have been made to SA to allow some exceptions and give you some time to fix outstanding quotes and commitments. 12/31/08 is the cut off, so go read this blog post and take action NOW. It is a great time to be getting your clients set with the new version of SBS. Lots of great reasons to upgrade and move to the new release. Want to see why you should upgrade, check out Dana Epp's blog on the topic:
http://silverstr.ufies.org/blog/archives/001055.html
Bottom line - SBS is available. You have a window to get things the way you want - SBS2003 and add SA to get the new version, or just buy the new version via licensing. In any case - get with your customers and get them upgraded. Now is the time!
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/10/16/9001677.aspx
Eric Ligman explains the changes that have been made to SA to allow some exceptions and give you some time to fix outstanding quotes and commitments. 12/31/08 is the cut off, so go read this blog post and take action NOW. It is a great time to be getting your clients set with the new version of SBS. Lots of great reasons to upgrade and move to the new release. Want to see why you should upgrade, check out Dana Epp's blog on the topic:
http://silverstr.ufies.org/blog/archives/001055.html
Bottom line - SBS is available. You have a window to get things the way you want - SBS2003 and add SA to get the new version, or just buy the new version via licensing. In any case - get with your customers and get them upgraded. Now is the time!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Can you find a business to pimp
HP has just released details on a new promotion you need to let your customers know about. Check out the details at www.pimpmyinfrastructure.com. This contest has some serious prizes, and a couple of businesses are going to win a bunch of really cool HP gear and they did it right - if your customer wins the reseller gets 5K in stuff too. For once we don't get forgotten if things go our way. The contest is designed to drive awareness and interest in SBS2008 and EBS2008 with one lucky business getting a makeover for each segment. This is a great reason to send out some marketing info that will open the door to discuss these great new products as well as the supporting cast of gear from HP to run them on. Here are the rules in the fine print:
Pimp My Infrastructure is a contest sponsored by HP and Microsoft®.
1. Choose a customer (or customers) whose business is challenged by a lack of infrastructure power.
2. Ask your customers to tell us their story.
3. Remind your customers to put your company's name down as their reseller.
4. We pick the most worthy customers--one small-sized business (1 to 75 PCs) and one mid-sized business (76 to 300 PCs). We'll "Pimp Their Infrastructure" with a prize package of goodies courtesy of our sponsors.
5. If we pick your customer's submission, you'll win some cool prizes.
6. Keep in mind that the deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM ET ON October 20, 2008!
7. Announcement of the winner will be at the Microsoft November 12th Customer SBS/EBS 2008 Virtual Launch.
Take advantage of a cool promotion - get the word out on HP and the new MS products - and potentially win 5K. Just make sure your customers know what your company name is and enter it when they fill out the registration form. With all this remote MSP stuff - they may have forgot who you are! Good luck!
Pimp My Infrastructure is a contest sponsored by HP and Microsoft®.
1. Choose a customer (or customers) whose business is challenged by a lack of infrastructure power.
2. Ask your customers to tell us their story.
3. Remind your customers to put your company's name down as their reseller.
4. We pick the most worthy customers--one small-sized business (1 to 75 PCs) and one mid-sized business (76 to 300 PCs). We'll "Pimp Their Infrastructure" with a prize package of goodies courtesy of our sponsors.
5. If we pick your customer's submission, you'll win some cool prizes.
6. Keep in mind that the deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM ET ON October 20, 2008!
7. Announcement of the winner will be at the Microsoft November 12th Customer SBS/EBS 2008 Virtual Launch.
Take advantage of a cool promotion - get the word out on HP and the new MS products - and potentially win 5K. Just make sure your customers know what your company name is and enter it when they fill out the registration form. With all this remote MSP stuff - they may have forgot who you are! Good luck!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Learning about EBS and SBS - the New Versions
We continue to move closer to the coming release of Windows EBS (Essential Business Server) - the new release targeting the midmarket customer base from 50-300 users. Part of the misconception about EBS has been the fact that Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG formerly ISA) is required as part of the solution and it seems many partners are afraid of this being in the product. One of the industry's foremost experts on ISA, Tom Shinder, wrote a great article on this on his blog. You need to take time to read his post on ISAServer.org at this link:
http://blogs.isaserver.org/shinder/2008/09/02/why-the-forefront-tmg-is-a-cornerstone-of-essential-business-server-ebs-network-security/
Also there is new training available at Partner Academy on the pending SBS and EBS products. Check out this link to prepare for these new versions and be ready with some tech readiness: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=2ff59e1b-42b9-4802-afc1-a02fb3d5eca3.
There are two 8 part courses on each product that cover these topics:
· Planning, Design, & Installation
· Migration
· Management, Health, & Reporting
· Messaging & Remote Access
· Security & Backup
· LOB Support, Extensibility, & Troubleshooting
· Virtualization
http://blogs.isaserver.org/shinder/2008/09/02/why-the-forefront-tmg-is-a-cornerstone-of-essential-business-server-ebs-network-security/
Also there is new training available at Partner Academy on the pending SBS and EBS products. Check out this link to prepare for these new versions and be ready with some tech readiness: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=2ff59e1b-42b9-4802-afc1-a02fb3d5eca3.
There are two 8 part courses on each product that cover these topics:
· Planning, Design, & Installation
· Migration
· Management, Health, & Reporting
· Messaging & Remote Access
· Security & Backup
· LOB Support, Extensibility, & Troubleshooting
· Virtualization
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Holy Cow Batman - It is Finally Here
Dean Paron from the SBS team has announced that the product, both standard and premium versions, have released to manufacturing (RTM) which means they are done and now in the process of being finalized for shipping. This is great news and really is a banner day for those of us who serve the SMB space. SBS has been a staple for us for years, and this new release will be the best ever and allow us to provide more value to our clients than ever before. Plus with all the new technologies now included, we can do more standardization and create better margins, managed service offerings and ultimately more revenue with this product.
November 12 is the official launch date and there will be much information to come regarding that time. For now, it is time to begin talking up the pending SBS release, making those last sales of the 2003 version with SA to lock in benefits like ISA, Outlook etc. and get customers ready for a great product that is on the train headed toward them. Don't miss the opportunity to drive revenue with this new wave of SBS!
November 12 is the official launch date and there will be much information to come regarding that time. For now, it is time to begin talking up the pending SBS release, making those last sales of the 2003 version with SA to lock in benefits like ISA, Outlook etc. and get customers ready for a great product that is on the train headed toward them. Don't miss the opportunity to drive revenue with this new wave of SBS!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
SBS RC1 is Official
A great milestone has happened for those of us selling SBS as it has now entered the home stretch. RC1 has been signed off and we are inching ever so close to release later this fall. The team that builds this product is a great bunch I have been blessed to know and work with for a lot of years. They really want to get it right for us as partners, and want to build a product that is able to shed the cloud that the name "Small" carries with it. So it has to be better than it's big brother Windows and after a little bumpy start with 4.0, they have achieved that. The 2008 release will blow that wide open as SBS comes to the table with what I think are superior features and value to the channel.
As good as the product is, the celebration of the signoff is what I want to highlight. Sean Daniels captured a great moment in the product development cycle. This is the important stuff - not those code breakthroughs that solve world issues - it is the team interaction that makes SBS what it is. I have come to really appreciate Kevin Kean who leads the team in building this product. He is a great guy and has been able to deal with his NY roots pretty well. :-) Check out this video where the team enjoyed a little fun at Kevin's expense. This is a sign of a great manager - to be willing to take one for the team. Next time you guys should use a little food coloring in the mix, or some chocolate on top, but way to dip him deep. I only wish I could have been there to see it in person. How come Chris Phillips didn't have to take a dive too? Maybe I can help make that happen....take one for the partners Chris?
http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2008/07/sbs-signs-off-on-rc1.html
Thanks for all the hard work to date and know the partner base is really looking forward to getting our hands on a fantastic product for our joint clients this fall. Keep after it!
As good as the product is, the celebration of the signoff is what I want to highlight. Sean Daniels captured a great moment in the product development cycle. This is the important stuff - not those code breakthroughs that solve world issues - it is the team interaction that makes SBS what it is. I have come to really appreciate Kevin Kean who leads the team in building this product. He is a great guy and has been able to deal with his NY roots pretty well. :-) Check out this video where the team enjoyed a little fun at Kevin's expense. This is a sign of a great manager - to be willing to take one for the team. Next time you guys should use a little food coloring in the mix, or some chocolate on top, but way to dip him deep. I only wish I could have been there to see it in person. How come Chris Phillips didn't have to take a dive too? Maybe I can help make that happen....take one for the partners Chris?
http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2008/07/sbs-signs-off-on-rc1.html
Thanks for all the hard work to date and know the partner base is really looking forward to getting our hands on a fantastic product for our joint clients this fall. Keep after it!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Keynote Info from WPC
Great news for SBS partners. Michael Risse announced this morning that 5000 free SBS2008 exam vouchers would be made available. Send a request to askcorp@microsoft.com to request one.
He also announced November 12 as the ship date for SBS/EBS. Sort of a surprise to me and others in the room. Product has been moving along nicely so I am unsure what that date really means at this time. May be when things are going to be available through the channel which is different than availability through some forms of access.
Great start to the week here at WPC. If you aren't here this year, you really should consider it for next year. There is no other event where you can get the pulse and access to MS as you do here. This is definitely a partner focused event. Join us in 2009!
He also announced November 12 as the ship date for SBS/EBS. Sort of a surprise to me and others in the room. Product has been moving along nicely so I am unsure what that date really means at this time. May be when things are going to be available through the channel which is different than availability through some forms of access.
Great start to the week here at WPC. If you aren't here this year, you really should consider it for next year. There is no other event where you can get the pulse and access to MS as you do here. This is definitely a partner focused event. Join us in 2009!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Good stuff coming at WPC
I am speaking for a number of sessions at WPC next week. Want to highlight what I consider to be a real focus for this years event - the huge attention that will be paid to SBS2008 and EBS2008. We are going to get some major air time and attention and finally get our due. That said, I hope you take time to attend a number of sessions around those products and get involved with all the ancillary activities that will be happening.
I will be doing a fun session with Erik Thorsell and Ric Opal ala The Iron Chef. Here is the info on that session on Wed afternoon at 4:30.
Multiply Your Success (and Have Fun): Watch three partners compete and give you prescriptive guidance on practice building in the Windows EBS “Iron Chef” competition. Cast your vote for the winner. Prescriptive Guidance to add EBS to your practice session on Wednesday, July 9th – 4:30pm-5:30pm, Room General Assembly Theater C
There are also a number of other things happening, including some contests. Check this out:
Multiply Your Winning Power: Enter to win Windows Home Server and many other cool prizes
Visit the Information Counter or go to www.multiplyyourwinningpower.com to find out how.
Multiply Your Fun: Join us for the exclusive partner launch party for Windows Essential Server Solutions on Tuesday, July 8th, at 5:30 PM in the Wireless Lounge. This one is going to be especially fun.
There also are Facebook groups for SBS & EBS too - come join the social networking amongst SBS & EBS partners:
EBS - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16942574025
SBS - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12683314018
This is where you can sign up for all things SBS/EBS for WPC so get logged on and connected.
I will be doing a fun session with Erik Thorsell and Ric Opal ala The Iron Chef. Here is the info on that session on Wed afternoon at 4:30.
Multiply Your Success (and Have Fun): Watch three partners compete and give you prescriptive guidance on practice building in the Windows EBS “Iron Chef” competition. Cast your vote for the winner. Prescriptive Guidance to add EBS to your practice session on Wednesday, July 9th – 4:30pm-5:30pm, Room General Assembly Theater C
There are also a number of other things happening, including some contests. Check this out:
Multiply Your Winning Power: Enter to win Windows Home Server and many other cool prizes
Visit the Information Counter or go to www.multiplyyourwinningpower.com to find out how.
Multiply Your Fun: Join us for the exclusive partner launch party for Windows Essential Server Solutions on Tuesday, July 8th, at 5:30 PM in the Wireless Lounge. This one is going to be especially fun.
There also are Facebook groups for SBS & EBS too - come join the social networking amongst SBS & EBS partners:
EBS - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16942574025
SBS - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12683314018
This is where you can sign up for all things SBS/EBS for WPC so get logged on and connected.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Still Time for SMB Summit Registration
We have hit 413 registrations for the upcoming SMB Summit in Dallas April 18-21. http://www.smbsummit.com/ There is still time and a few slots left for you to consider joining us. There are four days of great content lined up on SBS2008, EBS2008, and business, technical and sales topics. But the real kicker is this padfolio that will be given to all attendees that go to the Friday and Saturday readiness sessions. I know none of you would ever go to an event just to get the stuff they give out, but this is a really nice gift that is going to be given to those who attend the sessions. There will be something you have to do to recieve it and you must be present to find out what that is, but just know that the sessions will be good and this gift is icing on the cake. In addition, your attendance at those two days will get you entrance into the Microsoft party on Saturday night too. It's gonna be a great event! Put this gift alongside the trinkets you will be able to pick up from the 40 vendors in the trade show area and you will have birthdays and Christmas covered for your family in one weekend while you learn! Anyway - if you haven't registered or planned to attend, maybe this pushes you over the edge. :-) See you in Dallas in a couple weeks.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Time for a little fun
Who the heck is Tom & what does he have to do with SBS????
We all know of & have met anti-SBSers – many of whom are still harboring negative attitudes and perceptions from SBS 4.0/4.5 days. Microsoft met with several of the HTG peer groups & spoke to several of these partners & decided they needed to do something about this to dispel all the misperceptions about the product. One crazy video at a time.
So what does Tom have to do with all this? Well, here’s exactly where Tom comes in to the picture. But instead of spoiling the fun, I’ll let Tom work his wizard magic on you directly…find out more about him here: http://sbsguru.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
You’re one of the very first handful of partners to hear about this fun campaign! So how can you help? Help spread the word & share Tom’s vlog with other partners. Make sure you check out the punching game. Not often you get to punch someone without getting into trouble. Spend 5 minutes, watch the video and enjoy a little lighter side to your day. And then spread the word. SBS is a great product for most of the clients in the small business marketplace. And Microsoft has really done a very nice job of getting a great product built that will ship this summer - so time to get the team jazzed and ready for SBS2008. It is gonna be a winner!
We all know of & have met anti-SBSers – many of whom are still harboring negative attitudes and perceptions from SBS 4.0/4.5 days. Microsoft met with several of the HTG peer groups & spoke to several of these partners & decided they needed to do something about this to dispel all the misperceptions about the product. One crazy video at a time.
So what does Tom have to do with all this? Well, here’s exactly where Tom comes in to the picture. But instead of spoiling the fun, I’ll let Tom work his wizard magic on you directly…find out more about him here: http://sbsguru.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
You’re one of the very first handful of partners to hear about this fun campaign! So how can you help? Help spread the word & share Tom’s vlog with other partners. Make sure you check out the punching game. Not often you get to punch someone without getting into trouble. Spend 5 minutes, watch the video and enjoy a little lighter side to your day. And then spread the word. SBS is a great product for most of the clients in the small business marketplace. And Microsoft has really done a very nice job of getting a great product built that will ship this summer - so time to get the team jazzed and ready for SBS2008. It is gonna be a winner!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
New SBS Resources on the Microsoft Partner Site
There is a new place to get all kinds of information about SBS. It can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/40046800?msp_id=sbsmyths and features stories on Phil Kenealy, Stuart Crawford and Aaron Booker who are all members of the HTG peer groups. There are links to a number of great resources including the SBS Test Drive - an online way to let customers or parnters take SBS for a drive without having to install it locally first. There are training guides for sales, technical and getting started with your SBS practice. Resources are there to help you make the right choices as well in your server platform. So check it out. A lot of great resources available to help you grow your business around SBS.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Looking for an SBS convert
I am looking for a registered or certified MS partner that used to be passionate about Windows Server and has drank the kool-aid and is now an SBS convert. There is a magazine article that is being written in January and they asked me to provide an HTG member who fits the bill. Anyone want to come out into the light and get some press?? I promise it won't hurt too much.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Opportunity for HTG members with Cougar
Greetings from the Cougar Team
Microsoft is looking for qualified partners to join the Windows Server Code Name “Cougar” Beta program. Beta 2 will be ready to test any day now. This is a limited invitation to qualified partners in HTG. We are looking for Quality, not Quantity.
The SBS Cougar Development team are the point in their release cycle, where they are broadening their exposure to our customers, particularly our most engaged partners. They are trying to balance this need to get more feedback against keeping the beta Confidential. No NDA is required, but all applicants are required to agree to the terms of confidentiality in this beta in order to be accepted. So, the more care we can get from our partner group leaders in only recommending the most trusted people in the community the better.
Details of the Program
If you meet the following requirements and want to be in the program, please visit this URL and answer a few simple questions so we can get you in the system.
This Beta 2 release is designed for evaluation and feedback purposes only and is not designed to be run in a production environment. The SBS Cougar Team will be providing support through a Beta Newsgroup only.
· The minimum system requirements to run Cougar Beta 2 are :
o The time and resources to install and test (4-5 hours per week to test) the product. We have a fixed number or slots and if you can’t deliver, we lose that opportunity for feedback which could affect product quality.
§ It’s important that you realize that you need a X64 Server and the time to install and report bugs and feedback
o Agree to the confidentially of the BETA agreement per MS Connect.
o A Server: X64 Intel or AMD PC
o 2.66 gigahertz (GHz) processor
o 4 GB of physical memory
o DVD drive
o Single network adapter
o At least 60 gigabytes (GB) of free disk space
o A display adapter with 128 megabytes (MB) (for Windows Aero compatibility)
o An broadband externally visible Internet connection
o A router
o A domain name
§ The domain name can be an existing one that you own or you can use the Get a Domain Name wizard technology within Beta 2 to purchase a new Internet domain name.
o A client computer running Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, or Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise.
o A copy of Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2003 (from your Action Pack).
Next Steps
Once you fill out the Survey Monkey form, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ogR7mrwxSpJNS1YJEz4TBA_3d_3d
you will be contacted with information on the SBS Cougar Techbeta program hosted on MS Connect from either Kevin Beares (kbeares@microsoft.com) or Microsoft Connect (MsftConn@microsoft.com). Please make sure you add these two accounts to your trusted email recipients so they do not resolve as spam.
Microsoft is looking for qualified partners to join the Windows Server Code Name “Cougar” Beta program. Beta 2 will be ready to test any day now. This is a limited invitation to qualified partners in HTG. We are looking for Quality, not Quantity.
The SBS Cougar Development team are the point in their release cycle, where they are broadening their exposure to our customers, particularly our most engaged partners. They are trying to balance this need to get more feedback against keeping the beta Confidential. No NDA is required, but all applicants are required to agree to the terms of confidentiality in this beta in order to be accepted. So, the more care we can get from our partner group leaders in only recommending the most trusted people in the community the better.
Details of the Program
If you meet the following requirements and want to be in the program, please visit this URL and answer a few simple questions so we can get you in the system.
This Beta 2 release is designed for evaluation and feedback purposes only and is not designed to be run in a production environment. The SBS Cougar Team will be providing support through a Beta Newsgroup only.
· The minimum system requirements to run Cougar Beta 2 are :
o The time and resources to install and test (4-5 hours per week to test) the product. We have a fixed number or slots and if you can’t deliver, we lose that opportunity for feedback which could affect product quality.
§ It’s important that you realize that you need a X64 Server and the time to install and report bugs and feedback
o Agree to the confidentially of the BETA agreement per MS Connect.
o A Server: X64 Intel or AMD PC
o 2.66 gigahertz (GHz) processor
o 4 GB of physical memory
o DVD drive
o Single network adapter
o At least 60 gigabytes (GB) of free disk space
o A display adapter with 128 megabytes (MB) (for Windows Aero compatibility)
o An broadband externally visible Internet connection
o A router
o A domain name
§ The domain name can be an existing one that you own or you can use the Get a Domain Name wizard technology within Beta 2 to purchase a new Internet domain name.
o A client computer running Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, or Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise.
o A copy of Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2003 (from your Action Pack).
Next Steps
Once you fill out the Survey Monkey form, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ogR7mrwxSpJNS1YJEz4TBA_3d_3d
you will be contacted with information on the SBS Cougar Techbeta program hosted on MS Connect from either Kevin Beares (kbeares@microsoft.com) or Microsoft Connect (MsftConn@microsoft.com). Please make sure you add these two accounts to your trusted email recipients so they do not resolve as spam.
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