May 2006 - Posts

CRM 3.0 - Performance and Stress Toolkit - Test it before you deploy it!

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Performance and Stress Testing Toolkit is available for download now. A tool that was created by the Microsoft® CRM product team, it provides a method of performance testing for many customer scenarios. Taking the time to carefully consider and gather dataset and workload requirements, together with accurate modeling of those requirements may prevent added expense if a performance or scalability design is discovered late in the implementation process.  

 

Download it here – CRM 3 Performance and Stress Test Toolkit

50% off SBSC Exams at Tech Ed!

Training and Events

Save 50% on Small Business Server Certification Exams

Register to receive a 50% savings on your Small Business Server (SBS) certification exam (70-282) at Microsoft Tech*Ed in Boston, June 11 - 16. Space is limited, so secure your savings today.    

 

If you are attending Tech Ed, this is a great way to knock out your exam at a low price!

Let's Go to Boston! - World Wide Partner Conference - July 10-13th.

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Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference is your outlet to build and strengthen alliances—alliances that will benefit your business with new opportunities long after the conference is over. This year’s Worldwide Partner Conference will take place July 11-13 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Secure your place by registering today and plan to arrive early to take part in pre-conference activities on July 10.

Strengthen your partnerships
This year’s event will feature networking and face-to-face interactions with Microsoft and over 7,000 other partners from all over the world. With a strong focus on innovation, opportunity, and the power of partners, customers, and Microsoft working together, Worldwide Partner Conference will help drive your business forward with more velocity than ever!

Highlights:

  • Steve Ballmer is featured in day one keynotes on Tuesday, July 11.
  • Vision and Value keynotes from leading Microsoft executives will share strategy and opportunities around Windows Vista, Office 2007, and many others.
  • The Structured Networking tool will enable you to reach out and connect with other partners, schedule meetings, and maximize your time at the conference.
  • The Microsoft Communications Network (CommNet) will enable you to sign up for the sessions you want to attend, and get the very latest conference updates.

Arrive early for pre-conference activities
Don’t miss the valuable events happening on Monday, July 10.

  • Microsoft Partner MS101 – Designed for first time attendees or partners who are new to working with Microsoft.
  • Small Business Symposium – Designed for partners who focus on the small business space.
  • Subsidiary Briefings – Designed to brief partners in a smaller setting, address regional business, and provide the very latest in conference information.

Registration details
Microsoft has secured thousands of hotel rooms around the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center at reduced rates. These special rates are only available when you book your hotel and register for the conference together. Travel and other information about Boston and nearby areas is also available, so you can plan excursions before, during, or after the conference.

Get exclusive benefits by keeping your Microsoft Partner Program membership up to date
Being a Gold or Certified member in the Microsoft Partner Program provides exclusive access to training, marketing and selling resources that help drive profitable growth.
Checking your membership account and re-enrolling, if necessary, is easier and more flexible than ever. If you need to re-enroll, do so at the Gold or Certified level. Formerly Gold and don’t meet the requirements anymore? Then register as Certified and plan to move up later. And by re-enrolling, you get continued access to resources, innovative tools, ongoing training and technical and sales support that is the foundation for our mutual success. Last year’s exemption period is ending, so verify your membership, and re-enroll if necessary at https://partner.microsoft.com/40011092.

Last year’s conference sold out – register today!
More than 6,000 partners attended last year’s sold-out conference, and even more are expected for Worldwide Partner Conference 2006. Register today and come to Boston to strengthen partnerships, learn new skills, find new opportunities, and celebrate our partnership. Don’t forget to arrive early to attend the pre-conferences activities on July 10.

 

 

We look forward to seeing you in Boston!

2007 Office Beta 2 is available for Download!

Office 2007 Beta 2 has made it to the public site for you to download and test!  Bill Gates announced that it along with Vista Beta 2 and the Longhorn Server Beta released today.   Set your systems up for download and get ready for a mind blowing experience with the new products.   Office has me hooked already and I’m looking forward to getting a new laptop in June that will take advantage of the enhancements in Vista.

The site to go to for the beta download is http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/overview.mspx

Try it out and let me know about your first impressions. 

Email me at charlesv@microsoft.com

 

 

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Are you Ready for Vista? - Test Your Systems with the Upgrade Advisor

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The Vista Upgrade Advisor (BETA) is available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx   and its a tool that is worth visiting.  Its worth visiting, because we need your help to make sure its working properly.  There have been varying reports on how its reporting what’s acceptable hardware and what’s not.  The blog article on CNet refers to the tool at “Microsoft’s Magic 8 Ball”(Check out the blog by clicking here), which got a good laugh out of me this morning.  I laughed not only at the article, but at the fact that I had similar experiences.

When I get back in town, I will run the report again and capture the results to post to the blog site.   Keep in mind this is a Beta tool and its only been out a short time so the more eyes we get on it and the more feedback we receive, the better the tool with become over time.   Everything still shows that we’re on track for the fall launch of Vista Business so testing current systems that are running XP Pro should be on your minds if you plan on recommending customers upgrade current systems. 

Wv_home_img_capable

Beta 2 is DONE!   Bill Gates announced it at WinHEC a few minutes ago. So those of you with MSDN and TechNet subscriptions can start planning your downloads this week.   If you want to see Bill’s webcasts and the latest Vista Demonstrations, go click here.

Windows Vista Prerelease Hardware Requirements - Are you Vista Capable?

 Windows Vista

For those of you that are trying to find out if your existing systems will install Microsoft Windows Vista or to what level it will run it, the best place to go for that information will be on the new Vista Get Ready website today (Click Here). 

The purpose of this site and the information being released prior to launch it to keep from waiting on making that next PC or laptop purchase.  Its understandable that people want to protect their investments and get the most life out of their systems and the guidance information will help them make the right choices.

The Vista Capable designation will be broken into two primary categories, of Vista "Capable" and "Premium Ready".

  • Windows XP-based PCs with the Windows Vista "Capable" logo can run the core experience of Windows Vista such as innovations in finding and organizing information, security, and reliablity.
  • PCs that are designated as Windows Vista Premium Ready can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the Windows Aero user experience.

The Prelaunch hardware requirements will be posted in detail later today, but the main thing to consider in memory and the graphics cards when looking for these systems or considering upgrading systems that were purchased this year.

For systems to run at the Vista "Capable" level you will want at minimum of 512 MB of RAM, an 800 mhz processor and a DirectX 9 capable (WDDM Support recommended).

For the Premium experience, your taking a bigger bump on RAM to 1 GB as well as a 1 GHz requirement on the processor as well as a 128 MB Aero capable Video card.    The best way to ensure your system will do the job is the leverage the Windows Upgrade Advisor Beta to see where your system ranks on overall capability and performance.

 

If you are a System Builder or an OEM that wants to get their system "logoed" with one of these logos, check out the requirements at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/hwrequirements.mspx

 

Well, I 've gotta run, so I'll post the rest of the details later.

 

Charles

 

Microsoft Small Business Symposium at the World Wide Partner Conference in Boston!

OK SBSCer's, I hope to see a lot of you there especially since this event will be FREE for Partners with the Small Business Specialist designation!  This will be a fun filled, tons of information PACKED day in Boston.   

This is being held the day before the World Wide Partner Conference Kicks off.   You will hear from industry experts on: (INSERT Marketing Fluff), OK, I removed most of it.  :-)

  • Trends and Market Insight
  • Network and learn from partners who sell to small businesses.
  • Learn about up-and-coming business opportunities for 2007.
  • Attend management and marketing skills breakout sessions.

If you are looking for new ways to grow your practice and you work with small business customers, this is a great opportunity for you.   Space is limited so register now at:

https://partner.microsoft.com/sbsymposium

Small Business Symposium

  Monday, July 10, 2006

  Boston, Massachusetts

  Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel

 

  Cost: $150 MSPP members;

FREE for Microsoft Small Business Specialists

 

TechEd - Vista Application Compatibility Testing - Test Now before it Launches!

A unique opportunity to get one-on-one time with our Windows Vista application compatibility experts during the Windows Vista Readiness Applications Compatibility Labs at TechEd 2006. Bring your own Applications to test and troubleshoot and/or try out our self paced labs to test and catch up on the exciting new enhancements and opportunities Windows Vista has to offer – all in a single room

 

 Windows Vista Readiness Labs TechEd06

 

June 12th – 16th, 2006

Room 108, First Floor

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
415 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210


Application Developers (ISV and IT) are invited to the Windows Vista Readiness App Compat labs at TechEd06!

·         Use our test application to learn about changes that could affect applications in the Windows Vista environment.

·         Bring your Applications to the Vista Readiness Lab and have our experts assist in evaluating and debugging compatibility issues in your app.

·         In a single HoL session you will understand how to setup, run and uninstall scenarios for Vista and learn more about new features like UAC and how they can impact applications.

·         Spend 1:1 time with our Vista App Compat experts – learn how to fix your applications directly from Microsoft Development teams and experience the enhancements and opportunities Vista has to offer.

·         This is a great opportunity to learn about the (ACT) Application Compatibility Toolkit that would help enterprises to evaluate upgrade and deployment to Windows Vista options while reducing testing and other costs to a minimum. Additionally, ACT can be used by developers to learn about areas in their applications that need to be addressed.