Partner Blog Community

Response Point webcasts

ronaldg — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:26:50 GMT

I’ve blogged about Response Point before, this is an opportunity every partner should at least investigate. Here’s some upcoming webcasts to help you get ramped up on what you need to know about Telephony/VOIP as well as our Response Point solution.

The first one is on:

Date: Tue, Dec 9, 2008 / Time: 11:00 AM MST (see below for overview and link to register)

and the second one is a week later on:

Date: Tue, Dec 16, 2008 / Time: 11:00 AM MST (see below for overview and link to register)

Plan to join my teammates Charles and Larry and the folks at NGT to learn more.

12/9 Introduction to Telephony, VOIP and Response Point

Join us for this special webinar for our partner community to learn about telephony, VOIP and Microsoft Response Point from the first certified Microsoft Response Point provider.

Come learn the basics of telephony, understand the business benefits of VOIP and cost savings associated with using Microsoft Response Point. Register now!

12/16 Why use Microsoft Response Point with Digital Voice?

Attend this webinar for the Microsoft partner community to learn the business benefits of VOIP to your customers. Learn why Microsoft SMB partners are flocking to VOIP to increase customer retention and grow their businesses. Register now!

FYI, 3 copies of Windows Vista Ultimate will be raffled off at each webinar!

For more information about NGT’s Response Point offerings, check out www.NGT.com/TS2

Thank You Eric!!!

wattersbill72 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:01:09 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/12/01/9160762.aspx

we see this ALL the time, and hear the question come up almost daily, certainly weekly. Honestly where I see it most, and this just burns me up one side and down the other…at the Apple Store, Mac Geniuses, who know full well that this Mac is going to a business or will be used for business purposes, at least part time, they throw on Office for Mac Home and Student Edition see here: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/Office2008/shop-now.mspx and like it's Windows based sibling it is MUCH CHEAPER THAN OTHER VERSIONS, in fact it is almost palatable. I love seeing people walking out of Staples, Office ___, or wherever else, hell even Dell with a shiny new desktop or laptop with Home versions of software on 'em. It is the fallacy of the SOHO/SMB space, that a home product is appropriate for business use. Windows Vista and XP don't specifically preclude Business use the way Office does, but don't for a moment think they should be used there.

So why does Microsoft make, basically the same products available at different rates? The problem with that, is that one assumes Word is Word, Excel is Excel, and PowerPoint is…well, PowerPoint. The fact is that you don't buy compiled code or source code, you buy the rights to use software. The value of the purchase is what the rights, AKA EULA or PUR, say you can do with it. And before we think this is simply a technicality, the fact is that Microsoft and Adobe and Apple and pretty much all of the big name Software Names are part of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) and they are the 'Heavies'. These guys take it VERY SERIOUSLY, after all, that software, and the right to use it, is the manifestation of their Intellectual Property. It is their product, they don't build cars or homes, or roads. Without the ability to enforce their ownership of their intellectual property, they cannot continue to create software for you to put on you machines.

"Oh well Microsoft has more money than sense…" Well that may be true, but what they charge is a function of the marketplace. What we pay for the rights to use the software is a function of the marketplace. Currently there is little competition, and until there is real competition, and they continue to innovate and create new revisions well you can judge it's value. Honestly, most things we do can be done with Notepad or Wordpad or very old versions of the suite, but I like the innovations, and frankly most people do. I hear it all the time, I like the software, but I just don't like paying for it. Well, I like Gas in my car, and I don't like paying for it, but I gotta do it. I like having 300+ channels of TV, and I hate paying for it, but it's what there is…until something comes along and lets me ala carte my channels, I am stuck with it or without it.

So that's a long way around the block, but in the end, thank you Eric, hopefully this will be all it takes to remind people of the software rights they purchase, and if it isn't, then please review http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/ and also http://www.bsa.org/ Is your business worth $149 + the risk of fines and whatnot??? So when you look at the cost of the business tools, think twice…

What is a memory "Hard Fault"?

sdeming — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:23:02 GMT

Q: (from Eric)

I've had some "anomalies" recently on my Vista machine. While using Task Manager's "Resource Monitor", the Memory section is showing several "Hard Faults". I assume this is not a "Page Fault" (causing a memory-disk swap) because I expect there would be thousands (not dozens) over time. What is a memory "Hard Fault"?

Apparently there are now two types of Page Faults: Hard Faults when the desired page is not in the memory cache and can be found on the hard disk and Soft Faults when the desired page is found elsewhere in memory (ReadyBoost?) I found this information on MSDN at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa964785(VS.85).aspx.

EXIF Data

sdeming — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:20:48 GMT

Q: (from Eric)

I had asked about metadata embedded in digital pictures. You described a command-line tool for editing EXIF data.

Could you give me a link to that software?
What's the relation between EXIF metadata, and IPTC metadata? My favorite image editor is XNView (freeware) - which has tools for manipulating IPTC data
Which fields of EXIF and/or IPTC metadata can Windows Explorer show?

Here are the links that I’ve found useful in working with EXIF data:

http://www.w3.org/2003/12/exif provides a list of fields
http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool is where I found the EXIFTOOL.exe that I use
http://www.photome.de appears to have an interesting tool but I haven’t checked to see if it can do batch conversions or is as flexible as EXIFTOOL

EXIF vs. IPTC: According to http://pipin.org/community/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70&Itemid=76 EXIF (EXchangeable Image Format) appears to be technical data about the picture while IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) appears to be classic photo credits for professionals. It does disturb me a little that EXIF data may be discarded by some programs.

It appears that Microsoft supports the EXIF standard with Windows Explorer

Windows Vista Magazine – 50 ways to make Vista faster

ronaldg — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:40:11 GMT

http://www.windowsvistamagazine.com/UK/4352741769746825868/50-ways-to-speed-up-your-pc-part-1.html

For those of you who haven’t found out about this magazine, this is a great resource (IMHO) for all things Vista.

As far as this article, I recommend it, but should point out that not all of the tips are things that you do TO Vista to make it faster, but rather things you can do to make your work on the computer more efficient. Even if you don’t use that many of the “tips” in this article, hopefully you will take some time to look around the magazine’s website and see if you don’t agree that it’s a great resource – so now you know about it.

Here’s some of the tips from the article above that I think are worthy (btw, I’m skipping the obvious ones like add more memory and using ReadyBoost and faster hard drives):

6. Upgrading your Drivers –- this is a great tip and often overlooked. Certain driver updates – particularly those for graphics cards and chipsets – can lead to better performance. Check your PC, motherboard or graphics card manufacturer to see if a newer driver exists.

14. Use the Windows Key – One of my favorite tips and it’s part of my Vista Productivity demo, see the October archives for the whole demo including even more WinKey tips than he lists in this article.

17-18. Using Run and the address bar to launch programs, URLs, and folders.

34-35. Removing Unwanted Programs & Streamlining Your Startup

42-43. Scaling Back Visual Effects ((Adjusting for best Performance) & Disabling Transparency Effects

He also mentions using some additional tools like Tweak UI, if you’ve never tried this, then it might be something to evaluate.

Important webcast for all you SBS’ers out there

ronaldg — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:56:33 GMT

Here’s an webcast you should know about…

PLC # 253644

5W/50 Series - Migrating from SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 on the same server using Microsoft virtualization Technologies

12/5/2008

9:00 AM (PST)

60 min

If you see this post after 12/5, it should be available for offline viewing by the following week.

The Microsoft SA Benefit that ain’t

wattersbill72 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:02:12 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/11/26/9145211.aspx

you can try to describe it any number of ways…but for a small business, the 'Packaged Services' that are part of the Software Assurance Benefit just plain old ain't a benefit. As with most things Microsoft, the reality is that Small Business is, well, an afterthought. The only exception that I can think of is SBS. I will not bore the reading public with a re-iteration of the SA Benefits that come with Open Value or with Open Business L+SA. The biggest benefit is the upgrade assurance, and for most Small Businesses, a budget able $ figure is worth it… But then Microsoft, in its greatest manner possible sent out a notice to ALL Open Value and Open Business L+SA about some…well I'll show what it was…

From: Microsoft Volume Licensing Services [mailto:msvlop@microsoft.com]
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 3:22 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Packaged Service Enhancement Announcement{~19198381:1~}

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX:

This e-mail is from the Microsoft® Worldwide Software Assurance team.

We are pleased to announce that effective November 2008 the Software Assurance Packaged Service benefit will include two new voucher types. These voucher engagements will be available in 3, 5, 10 and 15 day service levels.

Exchange Deployment Planning Services (EDPS)
The EDPS engagement is designed to help guide you through the deployment planning stages of a Microsoft Exchange implementation. Structured engagements are conducted by pre-qualified EDPS partners, who will share best practices, analyze your organizational requirements, and help create comprehensive deployment and implementation plans.

Business Value Planning Services (BVPS)
The BVPS engagement is designed to help you identify, unlock, and capture the business value of Microsoft Office System. Through structured engagements, a pre-qualified BVPS partner will work with you to identify and design improvements to an existing business process using Office System technology. BVPS can assist you with:
- Realizing a greater return on your existing Office System technology investment
- Solving real problems that you and your employees face every day with a familiar technology platform
- Building a convincing business case to drive change and improve your business processes
- Receiving a 3rd-party solution analysis and services through Microsoft Certified Partners that are pre-qualified as BVPS providers

For more information about the Packaged Services benefit and all of the available planning engagement types, please visit:
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/packagedservices.mspx

Thank You,

Microsoft Volume Licensing Services Team

On the surface it's seems like a pretty good deal…what they don't mention is that this customer does not actually qualify for any of these benefits…OUCH!!! As Eric points out in the referenced blog post at the top, is that…

How many licenses of Office, Core CAL, or Enterprise CAL does a customer need to buy to qualify for these Packaged Services?

The chart showing how many days they receive for each level of purchase is included in the Microsoft Product List; however, the minimum level of purchase for either the Office pool or the Server pool is 200.

Please do note that he says specifically the minimum level of purchase for either the Office pool or the Server pool is 200. Now, please take a moment to read his post and follow any and all of the links you like, tell me exactly how long it takes you to find that in all the 'stuff' Microsoft has on that link, there…

Further, show me what it takes for a Small Business to qualify for say BVPS…200 licenses of Office. Well we've already determined that Small Business, via the SBS model is cut off at max 75…so HOW ON EARTH IS THIS A BENEFIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS. IT AIN'T. I think it's a great benefit, to those that can get it, but it should start with the buy in of Open Business…5. Now I understand that Microsoft is trying to extend additional benefits, especially in these trying economic times, and they are trying to get enterprises engaged with Partners, I really applaud that. But do you mean to tell me that the great Microsoft Database (SQL 2008 Enterprise Edition I presume) can't filter out those that don't actually qualify for these benefits, and don't bother them with it. Yea, it did give me an opportunity to talk to my client, but without fail, each and every one of them said…

"THANKS FOR NOTHING"

System Center Essentials Client Licensing

sdeming — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:39:32 GMT

Q: (from Peter)

What are the System Center Essentials Standard License requirements for a 10 user office? It is a bit confusing on the CALs. There are CML CAL's, SML CAL's, and CML OSE CAL's. Do all users need at least a CML CAL in order to be managed by Sytem Center Essential counsel?

System Center Essentials comes with 50 Client Management Licenses (CMLs) and 10 Server Management Licenses (SMLs). But to answer your question, yes, every managed desktop needs a CML.

Open Value Company Wide Small Business Desktop Advantage

sdeming — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:45:39 GMT

Q: (from John)

I have attended quite a few of your DC area presentations over the past few years and you have said if I get stuck on an issue with Microsoft I could shoot it over to you and you may be able to point me in the right direction. I have a customer that I want to move to the “Small Business Desktop Advantage” SKU across the entire company, (Windows, Office and an SBS license). Here is where it has gotten sticky, my distributor has told me Microsoft is using the same SKU for that as they did say 6 months ago when SBS 2003 had only 1 client license for either Premium or Standard. You told us in DC a few weeks ago that MS has moved to 2 different licenses for SBS 2008, one for standard and one for premium. My distributor also told me this and that is where the problem is. The “Small Business Desktop Advantage” SKU comes with “one (1) SBS licenses” and it doesn’t state on my distributor’s end whether that is now an SBS 2008 Standard or SBS 2008 Premium license in that package. Additionally, there is only one “Small Business Desktop Advantage” SKU package, not separate SKU packages for SBS Premium and Standard 2008.

My distributor called in to one of their Microsoft Licensing reps and he told them to “piecemeal” a license together but that really didn’t answer the question she has about the “Small Business Desktop Advantage” license.

Would you be able to shed any light on one how to proceed with using the “Small Business Desktop Advantage” license? I need an answer in writing from Microsoft as to what the situation is with this license in this transition from SBS 2003 to SBS 2008. Thanks.

This took me some work to find an answer:

The Small Business Desktop Advantage Company Wide SKU specifically is:

Office 2007 SB Edition
SBS 2003 CAL
Windows Vista Business Upgrade
3 years of Software Assurance on all three products

Because it includes SA, if the customer has SBS 2003 R2 Standard and they upgrade to SBS 2008 Standard; they get access to SBS 2008 Standard CALs. If the customer has access to SBS 2003 R2 Premium and they upgrade to SBS 2008 Premium; they get access to SBS 2008 Premium CALs.

Since you can still buy SBS 2003 R2 with SA through Volume Licensing, this is still an option.

After December, SBS 2003 R2 will no longer be available via Volume Licensing and you will be able to buy the equivalent of Small Business Desktop Advantage via a “piecemeal” approach which is officially called “Build Your Own Platform” Where you choose:

The version of Office from

Office Enterprise
Office Professional Plus
Office Small Business

The needed CAL from

Core CAL Suite
Enterprise CAL Suite
SBS 2008 Standard CAL
SBS 2008 Premium CAL
EBS 2008 Standard CAL
EBS 2008 Premium CAL

The version of Vista from

Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business with Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack

3 years of Software Assurance on all three products

You still need to license the “Build Your Own Platform for all desktops in the organization for Company Wide, but you don’t have to use the exact same configuration for all the desktops. For example in a 15 desktop organization, I could license:

10 desktops with:

Office Small Business
SBS 2008 Standard CAL
Windows Vista Business

And 5 desktops with:

Office Professional Plus
SBS 2008 Standard CAL
Windows Vista Business

And a link to the Build Your Own Platform: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/licensing/licensingprograms/ltvolumelicensing/40081471 slides 10 & 18

I hope this helps.

The BigEasy 2.0 & VAR Rebate

sdeming — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:16:44 GMT

Q: (from Nicole)

I was involved in the webinar today, but I was hoping you could help me out with this immediate issue.

I have the two scenarios below, which I’m presenting to a prospect tomorrow. I wanted to let them know what the Big Easy rebate would be under the Open Business and Open Value scenarios below.

Can you help me out by chance? I also, think they would be eligible for the VAR rebate if they went the Open Value route, am I correct?

Just to clarify, the VAR Rebate is only for you, the customer doesn't apply or directly receive any money. https://partner.microsoft.com/us/varrebates But you have to apply for the program before you sell the products to the customer.

For the Big Easy, you can go to www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy to calculate the potential subsidy.

BTW - These promotions can be used TOGETHER!

CRM 4.0 Update Rollup 1

LarryLentz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:57:06 GMT

Microsoft has just released Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dyanamics CRM 4.0. It contains a rollup of the hotfixes, etc. that have been released to date. You can download it and learn more about it at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=57c6267b-3b13-49dd-bfed-3cc83633aea7&displaylang=en&tm.

Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server Licensing Package

DynamicsBlog — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:57:38 GMT

A few weeks ago we posted an entry about the Microsoft Dynamics Client for Office licensing announcement. We recently came across some more information that we wanted to share to help partners understand more about the offer.

We are announcing “Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server”, a new licensing package for customers that extends the power, insight and process control of their Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions to all employees, via familiar Microsoft Office business productivity tools, and without the need for the full access user license to the Microsoft Dynamics application.

What is included in this new licensing package?

There are two components to the new licensing package:

i.      A collection of self-service applications that provide employees with simplified access to their business information and help them connect more closely to their business processes. These applications are available in two new named user licenses:
        “Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and Windows SharePoint Services” which contains the following modules:
                · Microsoft Dynamics Portals (module and user)*
                · Microsoft Dynamics Snap, including a Business Connector to the ERP data (AX only)
                · Two Microsoft FRx modules: FRx DrillDown Viewer and FRx WebPort
          “Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and Office SharePoint Server”, which includes all of the items above, as well as a license to Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and the Standard and Enterprise additive SharePoint CALs.
             (*) = portal functionality varies between the products

ii.     A license to access the ERP functionality in Microsoft Dynamics using Microsoft Office or SharePoint, and extend the ERP information or processes through office business applications.

What products does this apply to?

The Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office will be available to Microsoft Dynamics Business Ready Licensing Advanced Management customers on Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0, Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 and Microsoft Dynamics SL 7. Availability for Microsoft Dynamics NAV will coincide with the 6.0 release. The license does not apply to Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Why does the package differ by product?

In creating the specific packages for each product, our goal was to deliver value to all Microsoft Dynamics customers at a standard price point. We also wanted to include functionality that could be used by all employees in a company.
To meet this goal, we have included the Portal technology for each product in the package. We also wanted to deliver a common reporting tool to all customers, and FRx Drilldown Viewer and WebPort are two products that provide visibility into and analysis of financial data such as budgets. In addition, we are providing an access license to ERP information for all products.
Beyond these common elements, we want to ensure that customers of individual product lines receive value that is specific to their product, and is reflective of the industries in which these products are used.

Why is this client not available for Microsoft Dynamics NAV until 6.0?

We are delaying the availability of Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office until the release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 6.0 in order to maximize the value we deliver to Microsoft Dynamics NAV customers. This release will include an updated SharePoint integration with the RoleTailored™ client. Microsoft Dynamics NAV customers who want to take advantage of components of this package sooner than Microsoft Dynamics NAV 6.0 can still license the Employee Portal user, Web User, or FRx modules separately.

Why are you doing this?

With Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office, we want to help companies extend the power, insights and process control of their ERP to all their employees at a compelling price, and via a user experience that is familiar and easy to use. This is one way in which we are enabling our customers to become a “People Ready Business”.

For Microsoft Partners, more information can be found here on Partnersource

-Lori Harner
Dynamics Solutions Advisor

Prepping for the Migration...Following My Own Advice

petergal — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:10:41 GMT

I have SBS2003R2 Premium installed on a Dell Precision 610 workstation. If you were around computers "back in the day", you know this bad boy was "the" workstation from Dell in the 2000 timeframe. In my case, I bought one off EBay about 6 years ago for about $250. This $250 workstation has served very well as "the little server that could" for quite some time. It helped me solve COUNTLESS PSS cases. I have done live demos in front of hundreds of people...connecting to a $250 "server" via RDP. If people only knew... The time has come, the time is now, Peter Gallagher retire that server, retire it now!

My plan is to migrate to and virtualize SBS2008 on my new Dell server (no, I do not endorse any particular vendor). Reading through this doc and remembering this post...you really really need to read through (insert random whitepaper here) prior to actually following it. If you read the SBS migration doc, it says that if you have 2 nics, to disable one and run the Configure Email and Internet Connection Wizard. I am thinking to myself..."what about ISA?". Well, a bit lower in the doc (yeah, I truly believe that if an email message does not fit in Outlook's preview pane, it doenst get read....SCROLL DOWN!) it talks about ISA and what to do with ISA.

Read the whitepaper. Then, read it again. When you think you got it down, read it one more time! An ounce of prevention...well...you know the rest...

I will probably do the migration between now and Christmas...

Stay tuned!

Enjoy...and Happy Thanksgiving!

Petergal

CRM Add Users Wizard Can't Find Some Users

LarryLentz — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:30:05 GMT

Recently a client reported that when he tried adding multiple users in MS CRM 4.0, some users were not listed in the CRM Add Users Wizard. Yet they were there in Active Directory. Other users were listed and available to add as members of the CRM organization, but a couple were not. The problem turned out to be that when the users had been added to Active Directory, their full name had been put in the First Name field and the Last Name field had been left blank. Simply moving the last name from the First Name field to the Last Name field where it belongs solved the problem and CRM was able to discover those users as well.

ISVs Help Microsoft Dynamics Partners Maximize Values

DynamicsBlog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:36:14 GMT

As a existing partner, one of the added benefits of working with the Microsoft Dynamics ERP/CRM products is the extensive list of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who specialize in developing solutions that extend and expand upon Dynamics’ core product capabilities to address industry-specific and unique customer needs.

In order to tell this story, a series of videos is being created by the Dynamics Managed ISV Strategic Recruit Team -- which helps explain how the powerful combination of our integrated Microsoft platform, interoperability of Microsoft Office and the Dynamics ERP/CRM solutions are positioned to provide exceptional value to customers. The videos provide partners with additional insight in how the supporting technologies and platform work together and include key messaging partners and ISVs can leverage to communicate the overall value proposition of Dynamics ERP/CRM to your customers.

Take a few moments to review the 2 videos listed below --- interviews conducted by the ISV team on how our platform and our products are configured to maximize the value of Dynamics ERP/CRM for new and existing customers.

CRM Value Prop	http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/sureshs/Microsoft-Dynamics-CRM/
ERP Value Prop	http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/sureshs/Microsoft-Dynamics-ERP/

Kathy Burkett, PMP
Dynamics Solution Advisor - ERP/CRM/IW

Children’s Miracle Network and Microsoft Launch Campaign to Raise Money for Children's Hospital

charlesv — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:17:19 GMT

Children’s Miracle Network and Microsoft Launch Campaign to Raise Money for Children's Hospital

It's things like this that make me proud to be part of Microsoft.

See the press release below for details on how you can help us raise money for the Children's Miracle Network, while having fun with your friends and family...

Microsoft Xbox Becomes a Sponsor of Premier Children's Charity

Children’s Miracle Network and Microsoft Launch Campaign to Raise Money for Children’s Hospitals, Bring Fun and Games to Young Patients

Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals, today announced Xbox as an official sponsor.

“By partnering with Xbox, we are engaging in a relationship that focuses on fun and laughter, elements critical to the recovery and well-being of the brave patients treated at children’s hospitals,” said Brian Hazelgren, Chief Development Officer, Children's Miracle Network.

Microsoft has created a Children’s Miracle Network Family Game pack for Xbox that will be available at participating retailers by Oct. 15. The $29.99 pack is rated E/E10+ and 100 percent of Microsoft’s net proceeds from this Family Game pack will go to support local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. This Family Game pack contains the following three games: Viva Piñata Party Animals (Microsoft Games Studios); Sonic The Hedgehog (SEGA of America, Inc.); and Shrek The Third (Activision, Inc.).

“Our team has visited with a number of children at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals who are battling heartbreaking diseases and injuries,” said Mitch Koch, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Retail Sales, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft Corporation. “What stands out most is that these patients are only children. “By purchasing this game pack, families are helping support recovery efforts for these children at hospitals in their own back yard.”

About Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Each year the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. To learn more go to www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

Technorati Tags: Children's Miracle Netowrk,Microsoft,Xbox

Convergence 2009 New Orleans

DynamicsBlog — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:47:40 GMT

You are probably wondering why I am writing a post now about Convergence 2009 when it is not until March 2009. The fact is, it will be here before we know it and what to make sure you are aware of some key dates. Convergence 2009 will be held March 10 - 13, 2009 in the Big Easy of New Orleans and registration is set to open December 3, 2008. Please mark your calendars today with these important dates.

You can also set-up e-mail alerts as well to be notified when registration opens.

To receive the latest information about this year’s big event, sign up for registration alerts now here.

Info on PartnerSource:Convergence2009
-Posted by jeffk

Julie Herman
Dynamics Solutions Advisor

With Dynamics, Microsoft's ERP and CRM Business Apps Go Head-to-Head with Oracle and SAP

DynamicsBlog — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

On October 29th CIO Magazine published a very favorable article on Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM. The article mentions that ERP has been a two-horse race with Oracle and SAP for years but not any longer. The article goes on to talk about Microsoft Dynamics and CRM going Head-to-Head with Oracle and SAP.

To read the entire article click here: View Article
- Posted by jeffk

Julie Herman
Dynamics Solutions Advisor

New Microsoft Dynamics GP Demo Site

DynamicsBlog — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:28:34 GMT

I wanted to make everyone aware of our new Microsoft Dynamics GP Demo Site and it is very COOL!!!

And, it goes beyond just cool, there is a huge value:

Partners can use it with prospect and existing customers.
People can download parts of it to display on their websites or use in presentations.
Businesses interested in becoming a partner will get value from it.
Anyone needing an overview of Dynamics GP, should see this

On the site you will find information on System Requirements, Language Availability, Edition information on BE vs. AM and the following Demos:

GP Overivew
Financials
Supply Chain
HR / Payroll
Reporting
IT Systems

Julie Herman
DYNAMICS SOLUTION ADVISOR

Hey goober have a Home Server

wattersbill72 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:04:37 GMT

So, for those of you familiar with Fry's here in the US, they used to sell Basic PCs and what not with a hacked version of Linux. Wal-Mart may do this too, and for the most part a good hobbyist had a blast with them for a while, but after that while wore out, they'd download some pirated Windows XP from the usenet and go use it for normal PC'ing. I won't get into the pirating and whatnot, but this is not at all uncommon, and around these parts of Texas, I have walked into more than one small business, after "Joe's kid from down the street" had been into a network, only to find multiple of these things pawning around, trying to pass themselves off as Windows Desktops…but I digress.

So I here from a good friend through Twitter that HP is running another Fire Sale on their Windows Home Server line…

http://mswhs.com/2008/11/18/hp-mediasmart-server-ex470-for-31499/

And to look at it that's a great deal, but then read the reviews, and look at the maturity of Windows Home Server, and then dig further, and soon enough you will read about people buying these crapples and turning them into Linux Servers and whatnot. Some because they cannot get the RAM or processor upgraded properly without frying the system…

So now I look at this, and I think to myself, with all the power and resources behind them, HP and Microsoft, with all that market research they have available, what they came up with, for one of the best products in their quill is to try to appeal to the lowest common denominator, Price. Build it cheap, sell it cheap, cause that's what the OS is…cheap.

But wait a minute. Windows Home Server is built based on probably one of the best Products Microsoft has ever put out Small Business Server 2003 R2. Alright so they stripped out AD, and Exchange, and Companyweb, and pretty much all the goop that is SBS, but they replaced that magic goop with different goop. And the WHS goop is actually pretty kool. Image Backups of desktops. Shared/User based access to shares, files and folders…you know the common stuff: Software installers, Personal Directories, Music, Videos, Photos, etc. Plus it gives remote access through a Portal to that stuff. And if your desktop at home is XP Pro, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, you can go all Ninja Remote Desktop on you, and let you work remotely on your Home PC (can you say GoToMyPC?). There's way more great stuff about WHS, not the least of which is media sharing to the XBOX 360 and Media Center.

So with all this great stuff, and a HUGE HOBBYIST COMMUNITY out there developing add-ons and more great goop, why is HP and, implicitly, Microsoft telling the world this ain't worth anything more than 512MB RAM and 500GB of storage (only about 400) in usable. Is your life worth more? After all, that's what they want you to put on it…all your desktop information, all your photos, home videos, movies, yes Vlad, you can store your Porn there, if you really NEED to, and music on there. Is all that great stuff only worth @$350-$400? It's pretty sad, and pretty indicative of what they (HP) thinks of this product. It's a real shame too, because if they keep putting it on crap, people are gonna think that WHS is CRAP, which it ain't. Given all that look for great stuff coming soon. It starts with WHS, and goes from there…

Volume Licensing 101

sdeming — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:25:47 GMT

Q: (from Kristy)

I'm looking for additional Licensing 101 sessions, similar to the one recently held as part of the Tech Days events in Arlington, VA. I'm having trouble finding a listing of other sessions.

Currently no other Licensing 101 sessions are scheduled for the DC area through the end of the calendar year. I know some additional DC events will be scheduled starting in January. If you want to participate over the web, we will have two web sessions Monday and Tuesday of next week (see the attached invite). They will also be recorded.

Virtual Licensing Bootcamp

Presented by Rachel Kistner Magee, Market Development Manager at Ingram Micro and Steve Deming, Partner Solution Advisor at Microsoft.

Licensing can be a very confusing topic that raises a lot of questions.

· What are the different licensing programs?

· What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

· Which one is the right one for my client?

· Is each product licensed differently?

· How do I know if I’m quoting my customer correctly for licensing?

· And, most importantly, how does licensing help me make money?

If you have ever asked one or more of these questions, then we can help.

Earn Additional Income. Build Continuing Revenue. Expand Your Services

Discover, learn and take advantage of the opportunities offered by Microsoft^® Licensing. This live webcast bootcamp will help build your capabilities in the areas of Open License, Open Value and Financing Options. The new pricing and licensing changes will be covered, and the entire session will also be infused by the most common licensing scenarios.

You should attend IF:

· You are a reseller or interested in learning more about Microsoft Licensing

· You are a Sales Manager, Sales or Tech Sales role in your organization

· You have attended a previous Microsoft licensing boot camp and are looking for a licensing “refresher”

Click here to register

Microsoft Online Services and the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) Overview

charlesv — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:53:51 GMT

Are you trying to figure out what the move to hosted solutions means for your practice? Take a gander at the screencast that Woody Walton recorded and see if this helps fill the gaps. Its a great opportunity to expand your services and create new revenue opportunties for your business while enabling your customers to get the most out of their IT expenditures during these difficult times.

Technorati Tags: BPOS,Microsoft Online Services,Woody Walton

More Vista information – summary of links to Vista info on Microsoft.com

ronaldg — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:34:01 GMT

Below are some more links to Vista information to go with the Vista Resource list I posted a couple of weeks back. These are more end-user focused and mainly link to various areas of the Vista section of Microsoft.com but I thought you might find something in the list useful or interesting. Also, I mention in my SB2 events how powerful a demo is, so use some of these to create demos or for instructional purposes (e.g. create some handouts for your customers).

Windows Vista Home Page on Microsoft.com

What's new in Windows Vista

Help & how-to

Explore the features

Discover Windows Vista

Document Recovery in Word 2007

sdeming — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:23:08 GMT

Q: (from Otto)

Sorry to bother you with this, but I need advice on where to turn.

As you know I've been writing a book. We upgraded to Office 2007 and I accidentally started saving the files in XML format. Now it won't open, and we get an error message of "expecting an = sign". I've exhausted most of the Internet solutions including "load the XML converted into a version of Office 2003. None work.

Sorry to hear about the failed file format. The good news is that the new format is just a ZIP of an XML structure. Change the extension to ZIP and you will be able to read the raw XLM structure. The content would be found under the folder “Word” and the file “Document.xml”

You will have to recreate all of the formatting, but at least you will have access to the content. There is also the possibility of "Frankensteining" the Document.xml file from one .DOCX to another. But that will probably take a lot of effort with very little payoff.

What is Microsoft Response Point?

charlesv — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:57:48 GMT

I was asked if I could record a basic presentation on Microsoft Response Point to provide a simple overview of it for Partners that were unable to attend a live TS2 event. This was my first shot at using the recording tools so, its a little choppy, but you'll get the jist of it. Now that I have the format down, I'll smooth out the delivery in my next set of recordings that I will publish in the next few days.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Response Point,Screencast