In The Know - Charles Van Heusen's Weblog

The Big Easy Offer is Back!

The Big Easy Offer 2.0

Partner feedback about the original “The Big Easy Offer” that ended in June 2008 was so positive that we are pleased to announce “The Big Easy Offer 2.0”. The Big Easy Offer 2.0 covers most of the core Microsoft products and solutions you sell to your small and midsize customers. When your customers make a qualifying purchase they will receive partner subsidy dollars to be used toward purchasing more products and services for a more complete solution.

Please read on for the details of The Big Easy Offer 2.0 for partners. When talking to your customers about this offer, please refer to the information on our Microsoft Incentives site at http://www.MicrosoftIncentives.com/bigeasy.

Promotion Dates:

August 25, 2008 through December 31, 2008

Target Customer Audiences:

Small and midsize organizations, both commercial and government

Products Included:

• Designer and Developer Tools (Microsoft Expression, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio Team)
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM
• Microsoft Exchange Server
• Microsoft Forefront Security Products (ISA Server, Forefront Security for Exchange, Forefront Security for SharePoint)
• Microsoft Office Communications Server
• Microsoft Office System (Small Business, Professional Plus, Enterprise)
• Microsoft Project and Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Microsoft Systems Center (Configuration Manager, Essentials)
• Microsoft Windows Server System (Windows Server, Small Business Server)

Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs and License Agreement Types:

This promotion is available for the following Volume Licensing programs and license agreement types:

• Open License: Corporate and Government (specific products)

• Open Value: Corporate

Software Maintenance Options:

Software Assurance is required for this promotion.

Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing provides upgrades, new versions of software, and technical support to customers. Software Assurance benefits vary with each Volume Licensing program. In addition, server licenses come with benefits that are different from those for desktop licenses.

Customer Eligibility Requirements:

Customers must make a qualifying purchase as defined in the offer Terms and Conditions, which are available at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Released To Manufacturer Today!

If you have heard the good news by now, well here it is!   The Gold Code is on its way to Manufacturers to start burning to those precious DVDs and CDs!

On August 21^st, Windows® Small Business Server 2008 was released to manufacturing (RTM) so now is a great time to get ready to sell the newest release of this award-winning productivity suite for small businesses.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 is the first suite of the Windows Essential Server Solutions family to RTM and will be followed by Windows Essential Business Server 2008 in the near future. Designed and priced specifically for small and midsize businesses, Windows Essential Server Solutions are the right choice for customers that are growing out of their peer-to-peer networks, upgrading hardware and software, migrating from older, legacy platforms, or needing to unify disparate IT infrastructure.

With Windows Small Business Server 2008 the developers have listened to your feedback and made significant changes in the technology that not only enhances the customer experience (improved Remote Web Workplace, Exchange 2007, SharePoint Services 3.0), but also provide you more opportunities make more money (Terminal Services remote solutions, building websites with Office Live, deploying Mobility solutions, etc). This is the best version of SBS for customers, and this release is Partner-Ready too!
The official product launch is November 12, 2008 so don't wait. Your first opportunity to learn more will be at the upcoming free SBS Partner Group Tour. During September we’re taking the developers on the road to fifteen cities to show you the new product and answer your questions. You don’t want to miss this one!

So get ready to take advantage of the new sales and service opportunities Windows Small Business Server 2008 will provide. For more information on:

· 30+ Technical Webcasts (virtualization, migration, terminal services, etc)

· Demos highlighting key enhancements

· Sales & marketing resources

Simply visit the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Partner Portal to get started today.

Designed for small businesses with up to 50 employees, Windows Small Business Server 2008 is an affordable, integrated server solution that helps protect business data and increase productivity. With features like e-mail, Internet connectivity, internal Web sites, remote access, support for mobile devices, file and printer sharing, backup, and restore, Small Business Server 2008 gives customers the tools they need to help grow their businesses. Learn more

Designed for midsize businesses with 50 to 250 employees, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 combines software for management, messaging, and security features into one integrated affordable server solution designed to dramatically reduce IT complexity and improve efficiency across the business, putting IT in control. It’s the perfect combination for midsize businesses wanting to run an enterprise-class network without the complexities associated with an enterprise-class network. Learn more

Help protect your PC from viruses, spyware, and future threats at www.microsoft.com/protect

SBS2008 Licensing change! Premium Edition will contain a full version of Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition!

This is some great news coming out of the product team that is worth sharing.   

Today, we closed on a change to the POR for Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition:

Instead of including Windows Server 2008 “Small Business” Edition,  SBS Premium now includes Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition.

We will be shipping the exact ISOs that Windows Server RTM’ed.  The only noticeable difference to the end customer will be the label that’s printed on the disc itself as part of packaging.  Additionally, Standard Edition does not contain technical enforcement that requires the 2^nd server to be joined to the SBS domain;  However, the customer will still legally be required to join the server to the domain as part of the EULA. 

This is a great thing for the SBS ecosystem:  it makes our end customers scenarios around virtualization and app compat stronger, and it’s also a big win from a long-term engineering strategy.

This change is driving the following changes into the product --  all are in progress and will not affect our RTM date.

- The core EULA displayed in SBS Server #1 is changing (that’s going into tonight’s build)

- We will be adding a paper copy of the EULA into Premium box (that happens during manufacturing)

- The Product Use Rights (PUR) agreement is changing (kicked off this morning; will be complete before the PUR goes live).

As more news filters down, I'll make sure I pass it along....

Charles

TS2 August Event Line up!

TS2 is excited to launch a new series of events in August that are focused on getting Partners prepared to sell Microsoft solutions. Overall, we will be hosting 40 of our “traditional” events as well as 4 “Technology Week” pilot events (Dates an locations to be announced shortly). For those coming up in August, see below to register and attend the event!

Partners – Attend a TS2 event!

Join us at the next TS2 event in your area, where we will focus on exciting Microsoft technologies that will broaden your portfolio of customer offerings and boost your ongoing revenues.

Our TS2 team will discuss solutions to help you promote the following products:

·         Windows Server 2008

·         Small Business Server 2008 & Essential Business Server 2008

·         Response Point VoIP Phone System

·         Software + Services

Register now! Make sure you www.MicrosoftTS2.com to meet the team, view educational webcasts, and more!

Watch the Olympics on MSN, your Zune, Media Center PC, or Xbox!

On the eve of 08.08.08 and the excitement around the XXIX Olympiad, Microsoft and NBC Sports have teamed to deliver event coverage on a scale never seen before on the Internet, let alone on TV.  NBC and Microsoft will be streaming more than 3,500 hours of Olympics video to millions of online viewers in the United States, including LIVE coverage of every minute of competition from 25 sports. This is the largest media event ever done on the web, an unprecedented moment in the history of the Internet.  MSN is providing distribution of NBC Olympics video content --  which lives exclusively on the MSN network -- to all of our US visitors. The site itself is designed to handle more than 2.3 terabytes/second of traffic and will provide a flawless viewing experience for customers.  Silverlight 2 is the core technology behind the Olympics video player and provides the high-quality, interactive experience. The combination of this unprecedented amount of video coverage from NBC and Microsoft technology will change the way people experience live sports.

Here are all the ways you can experience the 2008 Summer Olympics from Microsoft and NBC:

· Click http://www.nbcolympics.com/video to jump right in and experience high-quality, interactive video using Silverlight.  This could even be better than being in Beijing! Get amazing, crisp HD video quality on the web that’s always optimized for your connection using Silverlight’s new adaptive streaming capability, watch up to four live streams simultaneously in the same player, and get expert commentary (hot-linked so you can go back right to the exact moment that Michael Phelps touches the wall for gold) all within a rich Silverlight application running within the browser.

· Beginning tomorrow and throughout the Games, the MSN homepage will prominently feature a dynamic Olympics module which will enable people to see results (or hide them if you don’t want any spoilers), get the latest news and see exclusive video coverage. Our partnership with NBC and the world-class editorial team in MSN will make MSN the best portal for up-to-the-minute Olympics coverage.

· Get the latest medal counts by sport or by country, or find out about all 10,000 of the athletes competing in the 2008 Summer Games using the Live Search Olympics Instant Answer

· Install the new MSN Toolbar that gives you one click access to the medal tally and many other highlights.

· Beginning August 9th, Zune Marketplace will kick off a series of daily 2008 Olympic Games videos from NBC Sports, giving viewers special on-the-go access to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. For approximately 99 cents–$1.99 per episode (with post-Games content TBD), footage will include memorable highlights from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, “best of” compilations, “best match” replays and a post-Games wrap-up feature. Users will be able to download each episode onto their Zune device for viewing whenever and wherever they go.

Additionally, XBOX users will be able to purchase and download a daily wrap-up of the day’s events from NBC Sports, with a complete wrap-up at the end of the Games. And as you saw earlier today, from Windows Media Center, head for NBC Olympics On the Go service in the Online Media strip.

This was a strong cross-company effort, with many people and teams working together to make Microsoft’s and NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games a reality.  For a behind-the-scenes look at what was involved, check out the Olympics channel on onTen and CNET’s take here, along with press coverage of Microsoft’s participation in the Games, including yesterday’s Seattle Times and today’s Seattle P-I.

Check it out, tell your friends & enjoy.

Aastra Response Point Solution - It's Here and there is a Discount for Partner Kits!

Aastra Response Point Discount Demo Program for VARs Announced

To promote the launch of Aastra's Response Point solution AastraLink RP, and provide you with a system to help you and your customers become more familiar with our product, Aastra is offering special first come, first serve limited quantity pricing of an AastraLink RP™ Startup Bundle kit through our distributor, Wesbell Technologies.

The startup bundle consists of:

Regular Price:

• 1 AastraLink RP 500 Base Unit
• 1 AastraLink RP 540 Gateway
• 1 Aastra 6751i RP Entry Level Phone
• 1 Aastra 6753i RP Full Featured Phone
• 1 Aastra 6757i CT RP Advanced Feature Phone with Cordless Handset

$ 2,399.00 MSRP

Aastra is offering this startup bundle for a price of $1,399.00, a savings of $1,000.00 over regular MSRP pricing! This is a great opportunity to obtain a demo system to help you in your sales efforts!
This offer is available to resellers whom have completed their application to become an authorized AastraLink RP™ Reseller and signed and returned the Terms and Conditions package from Aastra. If you have not yet joined the program, please visit www.aastralinkrp.com and click on "How to become an AastraLink RP VAR Partner" to submit an online application form.
Contact Wesbell Technologies at www.wesbell.com/responsepoint to set up your account and place your order today.

If you have any questions, or require further information, please contact Aastra (905-760-4165) or Wesbell Technologies (1-888-937-2355).

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Big Event This Saturday at the Microsoft Las Colinas Texas Office - Don't Miss it!

The DFW-SBS Partner Symposium and Culminis Presents: Microsoft Windows Vista and SBS 2008

Join us Saturday, July 26th to hear from Peter Gallagher, Charles Van Heusen (of Microsoft’s TS2 team and founding members of DFW-SBS), Eriq Neale (resident SBS MVP and owner of EON Consulting, author of SBS 2003 SP1 Unleashed) and Wade DeVore (owner of NetVision Consulting, TAP participant for both SBS 2008 and Server 2008, White Paper King) will all be giving you their take on both Vista and SBS 2008.

You leave with a ton of tools to help you sell new solutions as well as a ton of excitement around the new Windows Essentials Server Solutions that will be available this fall!    Oh, Did I forget to mention there will be several cool door prizes and a catered lunch too!

There are still a few spaces open so don't forget to sign up!  Register here

Agenda:

8:30 -9:00 - Welcome Reception

9:00 – 9:05 Introduction and Itinerary – Russell Clements (DFW-SBS, Culminis)
Opening remarks on behalf of the DFW SBS Partner Symposium and Culminis.

9:05 – 10:00 Small Business Server 2008 – Peter Gallagher (TS2)
This will provide a high level overview of the functionality that SBS 2008 will provide. Since it is expected that this will be a partner event, this will focus on value to the partner. Ease of installation, ease of support, integration with Vista and Office 2007.

10:10 – 11:05 Vista Adoption and Service Pack 1 – Charles Van Heusen (TS2)
This content has been provided by Microsoft / Culminis. Tools to aid in the testing, deployment and support of Vista. Improvements made to Vista with Service Pack 1. Significant latitude in this content may be taken, especially to show the value of deploying Vista for an organization deploying SBS 2008.

11:05 – 12:00 News from the Field – Wade DeVore (NetVision Consulting, TAP Participant, DFW-SBS member)
Real world deployment, migration and support feedback for your organization for supporting Vista and Cougar. Overview of enhanced functionality provided by Vista and SBS2008 together.

12:00 – 12:45 Introduction to DFW-SBS, TS2 teams, Culminis – Russell Clements (DFW-SBS, Culminis)
A fairly brief introduction of who we are, what we do, how we do it. Also an introduction of TS2, who they are, what they do and how they do it. Also an introduction to Culminis and the resources available through Culminis – especially for starting a new group, but also for building existing groups.

12:45 – 1:40 Tools for supporting SBS2008 – Eriq Neale (EON Consulting, SBS-MVP, DFW-SBS member)
What are some of the things which have changed with SBS2008? What should be in your toolbox now? Which tools can I still use to support SBS2008?

1:40 – 2:10 Panel Q&A with all speakers (Peter Gallagher, Charles Van Heusen, Wade DeVore, Eriq Neale)
Free for all discussion to facilitate questions from attendees on all topics Vista and SBS 2008.

2:15 Door Prize Drawing and Closing 

Register Here - https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=129929

SMBNation 2008 - PreDay Conference with Erick Simpson & Karl Paluchuk (IT Management Best Practices)

Well, it's hard to believe its that time of year again, but it is...  The SMBNation fall conference is right around the corner and there is already pre-day event scheduled and the registration for it has opened.  At last years conference, the PreDay event was as good as or better than the actual conference itself. 

I don't know if Jeff Middleton, Matt Makowicz, Stuart Crawford, & Arlin Sorenson will be participating in this event or hosting a separate pre-day conference, but as soon as I find out I will let you know.

This looks to be a good event.  I enjoyed the session last year.  Just be prepared for Erick and Karl to be showing new books and programs so bring your checkbooks!

For more information on the pre-day, check it out on Erick's website - MSP University

The preday is being held a

Marriott Hotel
2100 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Microsoft Certification Structure Revamped - Are you a "Master"?

Last week, Microsoft announced (See full press release here) a new hierarchy to the Certification model.    The previous model was based upon fulfilling the needs of "IT Generalist" to ensure the individual had  a solid foundation of knowledge of the internal working of the Microsoft Servers,networking, and application infrastructure.  

Under the new structure, Microsoft certifications are composed of four broad functional areas: technology specialists (technology-specific certification focused on configuration), IT professionals or software developers (job-role certifications that are general in technology focus), the Master’s training and certification program, and systems architects (dual focus on mastery of technical skills and strategy).

     Microsoft Certification Structure

•      Master Series: Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills available on a
•          particular Microsoft product.
•      Professional Series: Professional credentials validate the skill set required for a particular job.
•     
•      Technology Series: Specialist certifications train IT pros in implementation, building, troubleshooting, and  
•          debugging of a specific Microsoft technology.

The new Master-level training and certification program is designed to help IT professionals attain a “master” level of proficiency in specific products – something previously only available internally to Microsoft employees and select partners. The programs will focus on design, build, and troubleshooting skills, and will require three weeks of mandatory training per track, delivered exclusively by top subject matter experts and industry-renowned instructors. The initial plan is to roll out the program for Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, with additional server products being added in the future.

Syspine Response Point Systems are available at Costco.com!

I was surprised to find this solution available online today.  If you are looking for a great VOIP entry point solution that is simple to setup, here it is...   If I was a local partner, I'd contact my local Costco and work with them to get referrals for customers that would like someone to setup up the solutions and integrate them into their networks.

SBS2008 Public Preview is LIVE!!!!!

♦ The SBS Team has signed off on RC0!   ♦

Dean Paron and the SBS Team have hit their milestone and are ready to share the product with the rest of the world!    You can sign up for the public preview today at the following site:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc184870.aspx

For details on RC0  - See Dean's Site or the SBS Team Blog.

Let the SBS Product Team hear from YOU!!!

I was asked to help get as many partners to take this survey as possible to make sure we are on the right track.  I've posted the request from Kevin Beares, our Community Lead for each of you to read...

The Windows Small Business Server 2008 WW Community Survey is live

This is the third year we have published an SBS WW Community Survey to the SBS Community.

We have learned an amazing amount of information from the people who have taken the time to tell us what they thought. Some things we kind of knew already, but other things were not as clear before we had received the feedback.

Because of the previous surveys, we have made some adjustments in our community engagement. To name a few; we really worked on putting more focus on the Official SBS Blog. Our Sustaining Engineering team runs mini betas with our MVPs before KB's and Bug Fixes are released via Windows Update. We try to get more involvement in our techbetas from our User Groups. The list does go on.

To the survey, the SBS Product Team would like to hear from the Windows SBS Community again. This survey is completely anonymous. In fact, some of you may have to sign out from Live in order to take the survey. So, if you get a PAGE NOT FOUND error message, please log out of Live and click on the link to the survey again.

We want to know how valuable your experience is with the community resources and information that is available to you today as a member of the Windows SBS Community. We also want to know what you think could be done to improve your Windows SBS Community Experience. Please take a couple of minutes to provide us your candid feedback via this survey and let us know what you think.

SBS WW Community Survey 2008

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Kevin Beares
Community Lead – WSSG

Windows Essential Server Solutions Public Preview Program is Live! Sign up Today!

Good News for Partners and Customers alike ...  You can now sign up for the preview release of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and / or Windows Essentials Business Server 2008 online at

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/default.mspx

You'll find a variety of resources that will help your customer's understand the potential these solutions will provide for their businesses as well as what they will do for your practice in the upcoming years ahead.

I hope everyone signs up and takes advantage of this program so you can start testing scenarios based upon the industries you support.

Happy Testing!

SBS2008 (Cougar) and EBS2008 (Centro) Pricing Announced Today!

Let me start out by saying "Don't Shoot the messenger", Good, bad or indifferent, I'm just trying to get the word out on the pricing and product details as they become available to me.  This information is so new, they have yet to debrief us as to the reasons for the pricing models that were selected.

Here's the details from the press release that is going out this morning.

Slated for general availability later this year, Windows Essential Server Solutions are much easier for small and midsize companies to implement and manage than separate products. In response to customer and partner feedback, Windows Essential Server Solutions provide flexible pricing and licensing that offer substantial cost savings over purchasing individual products like those included in the solutions. Examples of licensing improvements over the current Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 product include these:

• Customers will be able to purchase single client access licenses (CALs), so they will pay only for the exact number of employees using the product.
• Customers can cost-effectively purchase a mix of Standard or Premium CALs, as appropriate to the technologies that individual employees are using.
• CALs now apply to other copies of Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server on the network, eliminating the need to purchase additional CALs.

Also, Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes additional Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies with SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business, making it an ideal platform for critical business applications.

Windows Essential Server Solutions pricing* is as follows:

• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $1,089 (U.S.); additional CALs $77 each (U.S.)
• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $1,899 (U.S.); additional CALs $189 each (U.S.)
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $5,472 (U.S.); additional CALs $81 each (U.S.)
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $7,163 (U.S.); additional CALs $195 each (U.S.)

Microsoft also today announced rebates of up to $200 (U.S.) for solution provider partners configuring Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 for their clients who acquire the software and purchase Software Assurance within a certain time period. With Software Assurance, customers will receive the upgrade to Small Business Server 2008 at no additional cost when it is available, as well as access to support, tools and training. Terms and conditions of the rebates are available at http://www.SBSrebate.com.

More information about the products, pricing and beta customer feedback is available at http://www.microsoft.com/ess. More information for journalists is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions.

WPC 2008 Registration Discounts for SBSC Partners!

WPC: 2008 SMALL & MIDSIZE BUSINESS PARTNER FORUM AND SMB TRACK

Register for the third annual Microsoft Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum (formerly known as the Small Business Symposium). This year, for the first time ever, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference will include an end-to-end experience for partners focused on the small- and midsize-business market segment. We’ll feature a one-day interactive event on July 7, as well as a new small- and midsize-business track throughout the entire Worldwide Partner Conference, taking place July 7-10 in Houston.

SBSC partners can take advantage of special discount WPC pricing of USD$1395 (full conference fee is USD$1795) – details, special registration code and link to the registration tool can be found online.  Partners using the special registration code will be automatically registered for the SMB Partner Forum on July 7^th. 

The Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum, held on the first day of the conference, is a networking and learning event for Microsoft Small Business Specialists and other SMB-focused technology providers who want to strengthen their small-business practices. During the interactive one-day Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum—and through the first-ever small- and midsize-partner track held throughout the Worldwide Partner Conference--you’ll have the chance to gain insight on how to balance customer needs with your own growth objectives.

When you attend the Worldwide Partner Conference and the Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum, you can:

• Learn strategies from industry experts to help you effectively focus your time, increase your business value, and grow your business.
• Hear from Microsoft executives about the company’s direction in the small- and midsize-business marketplace.
• Interact with your peers and learn successful best practices that you can implement in your business.
• Prepare for the upcoming launch of Windows Small Business Server 2008.
• Build core skills and strategies that align with the small- and midsize-business segment.