Have you tried out MAP yet?

My good friend Baldwin Ng and the team in Redmond are working hard on the MAP tool. In case you don't know, the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Solution Accelerator is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs. It offers easy inventory, powerful assessment and actionable recommendations for Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Terminal Services, SoftGrid, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Windows Vista, and 2007 Microsoft Office. The popular Windows Vista Hardware Assessment readiness tool will be integrated into this platform.This automation tool helps IT professionals and consultants like you establish a clearer understanding of your infrastructure, desktop and virtualization needs through network-wide assessment of your assets including desktops, laptops, servers, applications and network devices. Actionable recommendations are provided through the auto-generated migration proposal reports and documents.In addition, the new MAP user interface also offers a "resource center" where users can download other relevant tools and useful resources such as white papers and technical guidance from Microsoft and other sources from the IT community.

You can sign up for the beta here:

https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=297&wa=wsignin1.0

I encourage you to check it out. Another way to have a competetive advantage over the other people in your market. Learn to leverage the tools - they really do give us an edge.

Windows Vista Deployments

Do you have a success story around the deployment of Windows Vista? If so, you should check out http://www.deploymentstories.com/Home/Guidelines/tabid/185/Default.aspx and share yours. It is a site to upload a video testimony and get some face time in front of the world. Check it out. It is a great place to put stories particularly if you are using the solution accelerators like WVHA. You can get the tool here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/solutionaccelerators/hardwareassessment/wv/default.mspx

Solution accelerators are great tools to help get new technology in place. Check them out!