J.J. Antequino's Blog

Did you know that BPOS is only $10 a month?

josephan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:56:00 GMT

About two weeks ago, we announced that the our BPOS suite is only $10 per user/per month.

If you would like more specifics, you can find them here:

https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40122731

FREE ASCII Reseller Event in Tampa on September 24th!

josephan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:01:00 GMT

Hey everyone! Please make sure you take a look into these ASCII Events! Microsoft will be in attendance where we will be discussing Windows 7!

Microsoft Partners Receive A Free VIP All Access Pass!

Microsoft partners have an opportunity to learn best strategies directly from other successful partners on what is working in today’s market. This single day event not only provides ways to quickly build partnerships with your peers, but showcases real life success stories from other solution providers that are making strides in today’s economy. "

The event hits home because as a solution provider I do not want to waste any time chasing things that may not work.” Leo Bletnitsky, President, Desktop Valet

Your Event Pass includes:

- Proven strategies in a single-day workshop setting

- Straight talk from successful resellers that are beating the odds

- Focus on VoIP, Managed Services, Storage, Service Automation

- Microsoft partners receive special event access for free (value $850)

- Content, networking, meals, drinks all included with access

- Event stops include Los Angeles, Wash. DC, Chicago, New York, Boston, Tampa

Tampa, Thursday, September 24th

Boston, Thursday, October 8^th

It’s easy, register and select ‘Guest of Microsoft’ to get your pass today.

Reminder: Response Point Town Hall Meeting is Tomorrow!

josephan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:01:00 GMT

Date: June 30th, 2009 (Tuesday)
Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm PDT (Redmond Time)Registration URL:
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?publisher=12&delivery=267491

Note: This session will be recording and you can find it in the PLC. If you register and can't make it, you will be sent the location where you can find the PLC on demand URL.

FREE ASCII Microsoft Reseller event in Chicago on June 25th!

josephan — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:25:00 GMT

Hey everyone! Please make sure you take a look into these ASCII Events! Microsoft will be in attendance where we will be discussing Response Point and hosting a Partner Table!

Microsoft Partners Receive A Free VIP All Access Pass!

The event hits home because as a solution provider I do not want to waste any time chasing things that may not work.” Leo Bletnitsky, President, Desktop Valet

Your Event Pass includes:

- Proven strategies in a single-day workshop setting

- Straight talk from successful resellers that are beating the odds

- Focus on VoIP, Managed Services, Storage, Service Automation

- Microsoft partners receive special event access for free (value $850)

- Content, networking, meals, drinks all included with access

- Event stops include Chicago, New York, Boston, Tampa

Chicago, Thursday, June 25th

New York/New Jersey, Thursday, July 30th

Tampa, Thursday, September 24th

Boston, Thursday, October 8^th

It’s easy, register and select ‘Guest of Microsoft’ to get your pass today.

Check out Microsoft’s top-ten 5W/50 Business Readiness web seminars on-demand! TOP TEN – NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND:

josephan — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:21:00 GMT

5W/50 Series - The Network is Slow: Troubleshooting and Tools with no Budget

5W/50 Series - SBS 2008: Better enabling the remote user with Terminal Services

5W/50 Series - Migration Concepts with SBS 2008

5W/50 Series - Introduction to Windows Server 2008

5W/50 Series - Inexperienced Users and Attackers: A day in the life of Securing SBS 2008

5W/50 Series - Virtualization for the SMB — delivering solutions with Microsoft Virtualization for the SMB consultant

5W/50 Series - SBS 2008 Migration – Common Issues and Potential Failure Points

5W/50 Series - Windows EBS 2008 Core Technical Training, Part 1: Introduction

5W/50 Series - Managing Your Business Through a Slow Economy with Key Performance Indicators

5W/50 Series - Maximizing Service Delivery Profits During Economic Downturns

Internet Explorer 8 helps feed the hungry!

josephan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:45:00 GMT

Did you know that for every completed download of Internet Explorer through www.browserforthebetter.com, that Microsoft will download 8 meals!

Now's an even better time to help your customers upgrade their browsers to IE8!

Forgetting to check out MicrosoftIncentives.com on a regular basis?

josephan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:55:00 GMT

http://twitter.com/msincentives

MicrosoftIncentives.com is your friend :) And just like your other friends, you can follow it on Twitter!

Microsoft's fiscal year is coming to a close at the end of this month, and there is still time to help save your customers money as well as put a little more in your pockets! Make sure you take advantage of the Big Easy before its too late!

Were you accessing your 2008 Servers with SBS 2003 R2 CAL's?

josephan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:48:00 GMT

Well, it's time to upgrade!

LAST YEAR, we offered this:

============================

As a benefit to our clients with SBS 2003 R2 CALs (yes, you need to have 2003 R2 licenses, not just SBS 2003), we are providing a special offer right now. For those with SBS 2003 R2 CALs, we are offering access rights to Windows Server 2008 servers (you will need to purchase your Windows Server 2008 server licenses) added to your SBS 2003 R2 domain until May 31, 2009. That’s right, we are allowing you to add Windows Server 2008 servers to your SBS 2003 R2 domains and use your SBS 2003 R2 CALs to access them until May 31, 2009 without needing to either purchase Windows Server 2008 CALs or to have SBS 2008 CALs. At that point (May 31, 2009), you will need to decide if you wish to continue to have Windows Server 2008 servers in your SBS domain. If you do, then you will need to either add Windows Server 2008 CALs to do so or upgrade your SBS CALs to SBS 2008 CALs to do so.

This means that we are giving a 12 month (June 2008 – May 2009) licensing reprieve to those with SBS 2003 R2 CALs who want to use Windows Server 2008 servers in those SBS 2003 R2 domains. Without the introduction of this special offer, anyone who wanted to introduce a Windows Server 2008 server to their SBS 2003 R2 domain today would need to purchase Windows Server 2008 CALs at that time since SBS 2008 is not available yet today. Now they will not need to purchase those Windows Server 2008 CALs today to introduce those Windows Server 2008 servers into their SBS 2003 R2 domains and will have until May 2009 to either upgrade to SBS 2008 CALs or purchase Windows Server 2008 CALs.

Now for those of you with Software Assurance on your SBS 2003 servers and CALs, there will be no decision to make in May, 2009 because your SBS 2003 R2 CALs will automatically receive SBS 2008 CAL rights as soon as SBS 2008 is released, so you’ll be good to go whether you upgrade your SBS Server to 2008 or stay at SBS 2003 R2. It’s all included in your upgrade protection rights granted in your Software Assurance benefits.

(From Eric Ligman's blog: https://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/06/23/8641477.aspx)

===========================

Since we are now into the month of June 2009, it is time for you to make that decision to upgrade your entire SBS 2003 R2 install to SBS 2008 or downgrade those 2008 boxes to 2003.

June Sales Offers Update from Microsoft – SMB Edition

josephan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:43:00 GMT

Hello Microsoft Partners-

Here is a summary of sales offers designed for small and midsize organizations for June 2009. Review offer end dates to ensure your customers do not miss out on the opportunity to participate. Please be sure to check www.MicrosoftIncentives.com for all the latest information on Microsoft sales offers.

Key Offers

Offer	Description	End Date
Microsoft Office Open L 20% Discount	· 20% off Open L for Office Pro Plus in Commercial, Government and Academic· 20% off Open L for Office Small Business for Commercial and GovernmentResellers – contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing and availability.	7/3/2009
The Big Easy Offer 3.0	· When customers make a qualifying purchase, they can earn partner subsidy funds that can be used with a Microsoft Partner of their choice to help with the implementation of their Microsoft solution including software, hardware and services.· See details for products and volume license options.Visit www.microsoftincentives.com/BigEasy for more information.	7/3/2009
The Simplify and Save Offer	· 15% off the entire duration (all 3 years) of an Open Value agreement, for all products & Open Value benefits on the order (Software Assurance as well as any new License and Software Assurance) when a customer consolidates two or more expiring agreements into a new Open Value agreement· New! Single agreement renewals from Open with SA or Open Value are now eligible for this promotion’s 15% discountResellers – contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing and availability.	7/3/2009
Open Value Level C 10% Discount	· 10% off new Open Value Level C agreements, available exclusively through Microsoft Value-Added Resellers, for customers with 250 or more PC’sResellers – contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing and availability.	7/3/2009
Exchange Server Standard Discount	· 20% off License only (Exchange Standard Server and Exchange Standard CAL) or 35% off License with Software Assurance (Exchange Standard Server and Exchange Standard CAL) in Open and Open Value· Promo part numbers until 6/30/2009· Standard part numbers 7/1/2009 – 7/3/2009 (SKU list to follow soon)Resellers – contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing and availability.	7/3/2009

Other Active Offers

Resellers – contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing and availability of the following promotions:

Offer	Description	End Date
Expression Professional Promotion	· Up to 25 percent savings on Expression Professional Subscription license and Software Assurance packs.	6/30/2009
Forefront Security Suite Promotion	· Up to 30 percent savings on Forefront Security Suite per-device and per-user monthly subscription licenses.	6/30/2009
Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 CAL	· Up to 50 percent savings on ILM 2007 user CALs when acquired with Software Assurance.	6/30/2009
ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition	· Up to 15 percent savings on ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition processor license and Software Assurance packs.	6/30/2009
No Better Time: Save on Windows 7 Today	· For a limited time, receive a 15% discount on Open Software Assurance or Open Value Software Assurance attached to new PCs equipped with Windows Vista Business. This offer will allow you to save on Software Assurance today, while giving you the rights to Windows 7 when it is released. · Software Assurance purchases must be made within 180 days of a new PC purchase.	7/3/2009
Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with MSDN	· Up to 50 percent savings on Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with MSDN Professional Subscription license and Software Assurance packs. · Up to 34 percent savings on Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with MSDN Premium Subscription license and Software Assurance packs.	6/30/2009
Visual Studio Step-Up Promotion	· Up to 30 percent savings on Software Assurance step-up licenses from Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with MSDN Premium to Visual Studio Team System 2008 Architecture Edition with MSDN Premium, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition with MSDN Premium, or Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Edition with MSDN Premium.· Up to 30 percent savings on Software Assurance step-up licenses from Visual Studio Team System 2008 Architecture Edition with MSDN Premium, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition with MSDN Premium, Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition with MSDN Premium, or Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Edition with MSDN Premium to Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite with MSDN Premium.	6/30/2009
Windows Software Assurance Attach Program	· Microsoft has extended the time period—from 90 days to 180 days—for customers to attach Software Assurance at full price to Windows desktop operating system licenses that were acquired with new PCs through an OEM.· Products Included:o Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Professional N, Windows XP Professional Blade PC Edition, Windows Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Blade PC Edition operating systems	6/26/2009

Questions?

· Visit www.MicrosoftIncentives.com· Contact your Microsoft specialist or Microsoft Authorized Distributor· Send e-mail to askMSI@microsoft.com· Or Tweet us @msincentives

I heard it through the Microsoft Vine.

josephan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:43:00 GMT

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Facebook "statuses" and Twitter.... but that's not to say I don't think they can provide valuable and real-time information.... I just don't need to know that you "had a burrito and it tasted good!" That being said, there are some times when I would like to informed as to where my loved one is and that they are ok.

Enter Microsoft Vine (www.vine.net):

The Microsoft Vine Beta connects you to the people and places you care about most, when it matters. Stay in touch with family and friends, be informed when someone needs help. Get involved to create great communities. Use alerts, reports and your personal dashboard to stay in touch, informed and involved.

Live Online Web Seminars for Partners in June

josephan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:31:00 GMT

These Live Online events offer you the opportunity to enjoy the rich experience of an In-Person Learning from the convenience your home or office.

Primary Product	Event	Start Date	Description
Forefront "codename" Stirling	FOR42PAL: Forefront Codenamed "Stirling" Value Proposition	6/8/2009	Stirling is an integrated security suite that provides comprehensive protection, simplified management and integrated security across client, servers and edge. Ever wonder what the value prop and how to communicate the Stirling suite value prop to you customer? This session will walk you through the customer ready deck that can use to communicate the value prop of Stirling Suite.
Azure Services Platform	CSD08PAL: What is Azure?	6/10/2009	What exactly is the Azure Services Platform and what does it allow me to do? This session covers the basics including architecture and function, as well as new opportunities the platform provides. Learn too how customers are thinking about cloud computing and how you can join the conversation. Recent updates to the service will also be covered.
SQL Server 2008	SQL76PAL: Emerge Stronger with Business Intelligence & SQL Server 2008	6/11/2009	Please join us as we present the partner opportunities on SQL and BI, specifically tailored for the current economic climate. You’ll learn how to Emerge Stronger from the economic downturn by focusing on SQL 2008 upgrades and by helping your customers reduce costs and take advantage of existing systems and data. You’ll learn about how to grow your services business with comprehensive IT offerings and the tangible benefits on BI today.
Forefront	IDA17PAL: Microsoft Forefront Identity and Security Solutions: Sales Training for Partners	6/23/2009	This session will help set the stage for your success in reselling, recommending, implementing, and servicing Microsoft Forefront identity and security solutions, as well as help you understand the opportunities and benefits of attaching Forefront technologies to Microsoft platform infrastructure.
Windows 7	WVC42PAL: Trigger Start Services	6/30/2009	A number of services were changed to only start when required, or triggered to do so by an event (such as a device being plugged in). This capability is called Trigger Start Services. This session covers the infrastructure and investments made to enable the “Trigger Start Services” feature in Windows 7, its advantages, and overview of how Microsoft’s partners can take advantage of it.

MicrosoftIncentives.com? Never heard of it.

josephan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:19:00 GMT

Believe it or not, there are quite a few partners out there who are not familiar with this site.... and if they haven't seen it, they may be leaving money on the table! If you have attended a Licensing Bootcamp or gone through MS101 type events, this is probably old news... but for those partners who have not... Check it out today!

MicrosoftIncentives.com is actually a site that we would like YOUR CUSTOMERS to visit frequently. Why? Because when they do, your customers will be able to find ways to save money and increase their returns on their software invesments. On this site are valuable offers, special financing, and incentives that are sure to intrigue them... and once they are intrigued, who are they going to turn to?

You! Their trusted Microsoft advisor!

Orlando Magic.....

josephan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:44:00 GMT

I still believe in you! I know you were just sandbagging it tonight :)

You know... make it look like you can't hit any three's or field goals....

In Game 2 the Lakers will just leave you guys open... but they'll be in for a big surprise right!?!

Windows 7 Rocks! Bing.com Rules!

Bing Bing Bing!

josephan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:25:00 GMT

As a Microsoft employee, I hear the "I hate Vista" messaging often..... I frequent a number of technology blogs and will always read (but never respond to) the comments about any Microsoft related topic.

Last year, all I would read is the "Apply/Google are the best, Microsoft... not so much"..... but more and more, I see a number of technology "professionals/amateurs/geeks" rushing to Microsoft's defense.... not just because the whole "Microsoft Sucks!" mantra is tiresome.... but because these guys are EXCITED about Microsoft's technolgy on many fronts!

Windows 7 is a great operating system... Project Natal for the XBOX is amazing....

And now BING.COM is here! And those same "geeks" I mentioned are giving it rave reviews!

The biggest problem we have is that people are so programmed to "google".... that it's going to take alot to make people "bing"

Bing.com offers relevant searches, great preview engines, and a great user experience...... What do you think it would take to reprogram yourself and your customers to try out Bing and really give it an honest shot?

Please do not say Free XBOXes for everyone :P

Webinar Services for Microsoft Partners

josephan — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:30:00 GMT

We now offer two flexible service options designed specifically for Microsoft partners. With either the full-service or self-service option, you can easily combine Live Meeting video, audio, and interactive tools including polls and live question and answer, to deliver customized and engaging webinars that bring your solutions to hundreds of prospects at once.

Self-Service:

Deliver webinars using a hands-on, step-by-step approach. Learn best practices for planning, promoting, presenting, and post-event activities for a successful webinar event. The self-service option is available globally to all partners and includes:

• A cost-effective, do-it-yourself approach with best practices guidance

• Step-by-step guidance in planning your webinar

• Marketing resources to help with promotion and presentation development

• Instructions on how to setup the Live Meeting event registration system

• Training on the Live Meeting features best suited for webinars

Full-Service:

Leverage comprehensive event management services for a successful end-to-end experience for presenters and attendees. Focus on content and delivery while your dedicated event manager facilitates the logistics and details of the event. The full-service option is available in select countries today and includes:

• Assurance for a smooth event and the efficient use of your time

• A dedicated webinar event manager to guide you through the entire process

• A branded registration system designed for you and customized for your lead generation requirements

• Facilitated, personalized Live Meeting training and rehearsal for your presenters

• Technical troubleshooting throughout your event so you can focus on the presentation

For more information, go here:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40073316