Windows Vista, your next operating system.
As we prepare to end retail sales of the Windows XP operating system this is a good opportunity for a quick update on the Windows Vista operating system. First Windows Vista is ready to go to work today supporting nearly all of the leading business applications. Plus Windows Vista offers faster searching, better security, easier management, and uses less power than Windows XP.
Need more information?
Top questions about Windows XP >
Windows Vista Team Blog >
Mark the date: June 30, 2008
This is the last day when Windows XP will be generally available. If you’re in the process of assessing your migration to Windows Vista but still need to purchase new PCs with Windows XP, you may be eligible to downgrade to Windows XP after the End-of-Sales date. It all depends on the type of license you buy. Take a minute to answer the five questions on this page to better understand your options.
How to embed this questionnaire.
Do you have customers or partners that might be interested in more information about the Windows XP End-of-Sales timeline? Give them direct access to this questionnaire by simply embedding the code string below into your Web site or blog.
What if you came to a TS2 event and got solutions to sell to your current customers and for new potential customers? Would you come to one of our events? Or do you come for 100 level technical content that is already on line and available to you? Let's say you got information on the competition and what sets Microsoft apart from them, how to handle common objections that are out there, business value to your customers. Would that be the TS2 event you need Partners? Why do I ask you say? Well I want to be able to help you grow you Partner practice. I am not sure giving you product overviews and product feature sets helps you drive growth in your business or your capacity to sell Microsoft products and make real money on the services that come with them. What would be the perfect four hours with us at one of our events? My job is to help you grow, I am not sure I am doing that to the best of my ability and want your thoughts. Please feel free to comment on this blog or mail me directly at mmars@microsoft.com with your thoughts! Thanks TS2ers!
Partners - Learn new ways to drive your business at June TS2 events!
Attend an upcoming TS2 event to learn more about Windows Server 2008, Small Business Server 2008, and the Partner opportunities in Software + Services. We’re also presenting a special IW Practice Builder event in select cities to help you learn about the IWS competency, and how it can help drive your business and additional revenue. Register at www.MicrosoftTS2.com and be sure to meet the TS2 team while you are at the site, view webcasts, and for more in-depth event information!
Partners,
If you are looking for a tool that will help you determine the right Microsoft Technology for your customers, this is it! Download this beta and check this out! This WILL help you win the deal and get the services revenue your are looking for!
The BETA is now available!
https://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=2307&InvitationID=MP31-GT76-X98X&SiteID=297
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs. It offers easy inventory, powerful assessment and actionable recommendations for Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Microsoft Application Virtualization (formerly SoftGrid), System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Windows Vista, 2007 Microsoft Office, and SQL Server. The popular Windows Vista Hardware Assessment readiness tool has now been replaced by the MAP toolkit platform.
This automation tool helps IT professionals and consultants like you establish a clearer understanding of your infrastructure, desktop and virtualization needs through network-wide assessment of your assets including desktops, laptops, servers, applications and network devices. Actionable recommendations are provided through the auto-generated migration proposal reports and documents.
In addition, the new MAP user interface also offers a "resource center" where users can download other relevant tools and useful resources such as white papers and technical guidance from Microsoft and other sources from the IT community.
Target Audience
- Customers: IT Architects, Infrastructure Specialists and Desktop/Application Administrators.
- Partners: System Integrators, Value-Added Partners and IT Consultants in the Enterprise and Midmarket
Key Benefits
- Quick Assessment of Your Existing infrastructure and assets
- Adaptive Guidance and Actionable Proposals that provide specific recommendations that will help simplify your planning and deployment of Microsoft technologies
- One-Stop Shop for All Your Planning (or Pre-Sales) Needs
New Features
- Hyper-V virtualization assessment
- Discovery of SQL servers
- Desktop security assessment using the Security Center technology
- 64-bit installation support (i.e. you can now install MAP on an inventory machine that has a 64-bit OS)
This newly launched site hosts many stories from real small businesses who are benefiting from running Windows Vista on their PC’s. This interactive site also includes the option of submitting your own story - with the possibility that your story (partner or business) may be filmed for future use on the site.
Check it out at www.windowsvistaexperience.com
Proven Solutions. Empower their people to work more efficiently, minimize costs, and create a competitive edge.
Money Saving Offers & Rebates. Increase your margin via the Open Value VAR Rebate and earn partner subsidy funds on qualifying purchases made by June 27, 2008 with The Big Easy.
Competitive Financing Options. Get paid upfront from Microsoft Financing and help your customers delay cash outlays, spread out payments and manage their budgets.
Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. Write off 50% of depreciable business purchases, including software and hardware purchases.2
1. Download the Scenario.
Visit the Big Easy Partner Site to download the scenario marketing materials. Customize the materials with your logo and send to prospects and customers.
2. Sell Software Purchases.
Make follow-up phone calls and arrange meetings to sell software purchases of qualifying products along with your products and services.
3. Redeem the Big Easy Offer.
Be sure that you or your customer redeem the Big Easy Offer by July 31, 2008 at www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy. Microsoft will then send the customer a subsidy check made out to the partner of their choice, which they can spend on additional services and products. Checks must be used within 90 days of the issue date.
See how Microsoft Financing makes good sense for as little as $50 a month3!
1 ) Offer open to qualifying U.S. commercial and government organizations purchasing through eligible Microsoft licensing programs. For this information and minimum/maximum purchase requirements and other restrictions see full terms & conditions of the Big Easy Offer.
2 ) The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides incentives for businesses. For more information on the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179227,00.html. Your specific situation may be different. Contact your financial accountant or tax advisor for more specific details.
3 ) Microsoft Financing SmartPay promotion, full program details http://www.microsoftincentives.com/#162.
4 ) These examples are provided solely for informational purposes. The actual partner subsidy dollars earned through the purchase of Microsoft software under The Big Easy Offer may vary from the amounts estimated in the examples. Prices based on Estimated Retail Prices (ERP). Reseller pricing may vary. Customers and partners should refer to the terms and conditions of the Big Easy Offer for a full understanding of the Partner Subsidy dollar amount paid out under different purchasing situations and to validate the amounts indicated in the examples. To calculate your savings visit: http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/Calculator/default.aspx. If you buy one of these products along with another eligible product group in this offer, you could get even more in subsidy dollars.
5 ) Example is for customer purchasing 10 Microsoft Office Professional 2007 via the Microsoft Open Value Subscription licensing program with the Up-to-Date Discount with ERP pricing for first year of $900 and The Big Easy partner subsidy promotion savings of $850. To calculate your savings visit: http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/Calculator/default.aspx. For information on Microsoft Open Value Subscription and the Up-to-Date discount can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/buy/software/open-value-subscription/more-for-less.aspx.
6 ) Example is for company purchasing Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Premium Edition for 25 employees via standard pricing of the Microsoft Open Value Subscription licensing program of $1170 first year payment. The Big Easy partner subsidy promotion savings of $600. To calculate your savings visit: http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/Calculator/default.aspx.
7 ) Example is for company purchasing two Microsoft Windows 2008 Standard Edition with Hyper-V virtualization technology with 100 Client Access Licenses (CALs) and a one Microsoft SQL Server Standard 2005 processor license via standard pricing of the Microsoft Open Value licensing program of $5710 first year payment. The estimated Big Easy partner subsidy dollar amount earned through this purchase is approximately $2,228. To calculate your savings visit: http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/Calculator/default.aspx.
Set and Manage Your Communication Preferences
Get the partner-related information you want from Microsoft
1) Sign in to the Microsoft Partner Program portal with the Windows Live ID (Passport) used to enroll in the program;
2) Select "View Your Membership Account" and "Membership Center";
3) From "Your Individual Account Page," choose "Edit Profile"*;
4) Scroll down to "Your Communication Options", and select your contact preferences for the areas listed;
5) To save your preferences, click the checkbox and then select the "Update" button at the bottom of the page.
* Individuals who are the Global or Local Administrator for their organization will have a slightly different experience. In the grey bar near the top of the page, select "Administration", then "Manage Your Individual Profile", then follow steps 4 and 5.
Trouble accessing the Microsoft Partner Program portal link?
You may be signed in with a Windows Live ID (Passport) account not associated with your Microsoft Partner Program membership. Sign out of any other Live ID-enabled sites, and then sign in with the credentials used to enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program. If you still can not open the link, please contact our support team. You will receive a response within 24 hours (Monday-Friday, Pacific Time).
This one comes from our good friend Eric Ligman who drives the www.mssmallbiz.com site! Thanks for Sharing Eric!
"In my Microsoft expands its Small Business sponsorship in NASCAR post on May 23rd, not only did we announce the NASCAR Sprint Cup Team #00 Microsoft sponsorship as well as the Partner sponsorship opportunity where Partners can join in this sponsorship with us, we also announced the new tuningITup.com site on the Microsoft Small Business Center. On this new page, we have several resources included for Small Business customers as well as Microsoft Small Business Partners in order help both “tune up” their businesses to reach top performance just like the tools used to tune up a high-performance car’s engine.
Another addition to this site to help drive interest and traffic to the page (thus driving people to see more about Small Business Specialist Partners and solutions), we are providing an Xbox 360 Elite System + NASCAR 08 game bundle giveaway on the site. By going to the tuningITup.com site, not only will they be able to access all of the tools provided, they will also be able to enter into the Xbox drawing by clicking on the Xbox 360 giveaway icon located there.
And speaking of “Tuning IT Up,” below are a couple pictures from Dover this morning of the Microsoft SBSC #00 car coming in after its first practice run for a little “tuning up” of its own before Sunday's debut race at Dover International Speedway:
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Eric Ligman
Microsoft US Senior Manager
Small Business Community Engagement"
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
[Today's post comes to us courtesy of Dean Paron]
After extensive development and private evaluation, I’m pleased to announce that a public preview of Windows Small Business Server 2008 RC0 is now available.
Windows SBS 2008 is the next major release in the Windows Small Business Server product family, and it offers a wave of new features for technology consultants and small business owners. There are too many updates and changes to list in one post, but here are some highlights:
- A new setup and administrative experience that has been re-designed to make initial deployment and day-to-day management significantly easier
- Many new management features such as extensible monitoring reports, and tools to manage internet domain names, data folders, certificates and more
- A revamp of the Premium Edition to include both SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition technologies and a 2nd copy of Windows Server 2008
- A new server backup wizard built on the Windows Server 2008 block-based backup technologies, which allows you to back up your server in minutes rather than hours
- A redesigned Remote Web Workplace with new features such as custom links, logos and user to computer mapping
- Built-in anti-virus and anti-spam support with 120-day trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Windows Live OneCare for Server
- Integration with Microsoft Office Live Small Business to simplify setup and management of professional Web sites and extranets
- And of course, updates to Microsoft’s newest server technologies: Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008, Windows Server Update Services v3, and Windows SharePoint Services v3
To learn more about the product and to enroll in the public preview program, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/cc184870.aspx.
We look forward to your feedback.
Regards,
Dean Paron
Group Program Manager
Windows Small Business Server
Visit the Windows Server 2008 Sales Accelerator to get training resources and great sales tools to help you accelerate your server business today. PLUS everyone who participates by June 30th, will be eligible for OEM SalesCenter vouchers** valued at up to $75 and a chance to win an Amax Cube Case Windows Home Server**!
Here's are the details from the press release that went 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.
When your customers purchase a PC preinstalled with a qualified version of Windows Vista Ultimate from now through June 30th 2008, they will be eligible to receive a US$50 Rewards Check redeemable exclusively through your business! Learn more and tell your customers about it today!
Get an Extra US$50 in Sales with every PC Preinstalled with a Qualified Version of Windows Vista Ultimate through the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Program*
That’s right. When your customers purchase a PC preinstalled with a qualified version of Windows Vista Ultimate between April 7th and June 30th 2008, they will be eligible to receive a US$50 Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Check redeemable exclusively through your business!
The US$50 Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Check can be used to purchase any goods or services excluding Microsoft software and hardware, and can be redeemed up to 10 times per customer. So why wait? Tell your customers about the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Program today!
It’s important that you understand the offer and are able to articulate the process your customers will need to take to receive the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Check. Customers must follow each of the steps below.
Between April 7th and June 30, 2008 customers must acquire a PC preinstalled with a qualified version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Not all versions of Windows Vista Ultimate will qualify so be sure to review the eligible part numbers available from www.localpcbuilder.com/UltimateRewards.
Customers will need to submit a completed Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards coupon available for download at www.localpcbuilder.com/UltimateRewards. NOTE: Partners should print and keep coupons on hand to distribute to purchasing customers at time of PC purchase.
Customers will need to submit the following proof of purchase for each PC purchased preinstalled with a with a qualifying version of Windows Vista Ultimate:
- The original front page of the OEM Windows Vista Ultimate Manual. Examples of what these look like are found at www.localpcbuilder.com/UltimateRewards.
- A copy of the sales receipt or invoice that shows the date, store location, Windows Vista Ultimate purchase, and PC purchase. Download the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards coupon.
Customers must mail the completed Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards coupon and all required proof of purchase in the same envelope within 30 days of the date of purchase to:
Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Promotion
PO Box 750643
Promotion number 497-08-503
El Paso, TX 88575-0643
Take advantage of our ready-to-use marketing materials and inform your customers about the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards Program today.
To Partner Marketing Materials: These materials have been created with resellers in mind. Use them to discuss the value of the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards program. These materials are:
Through Partner Marketing Materials: These materials have been created with your customers in mind. Use them to communicate directly with your customers the value of the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards program. These materials are:
Two new flyers are also available on the OEM Customizer under Windows Vista SP1. Use these flyers to advertise directly to your home and small business customers the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards program!
Don’t wait. Tell your customers about the Windows Vista Ultimate Rewards program today.
View the official terms and conditions.
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 7th.
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.
Virtualization is one of the hottest technologies on today's IT landscape. It is estimated that more than 75 percent of Microsoft customers are currently using or evaluating virtualization in their IT infrastructure.
Microsoft offers a rich set of technologies to enable virtualization solutions across server workloads and desktop applications, and enables IT to manage virtual and physical servers in a familiar, common environment that reduces system complexity and improves operating efficiency. The sessions in this series provide partners with an overview of the Microsoft’s virtualization server, desktop, and management offerings which partners can leverage to help customers control costs, improve availability, and drive agility.
Here is the link https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/search_adv.aspx?ssid=65ce4c19-7416-49c9-bd30-0cb05203a176&isMetaTagRefreshed=true and short descriptions of the Web Casts! Check these out!
Building New Revenue Streams with Windows Server 2008 - Terminal Services
- 1 Hour
- Building New Revenue Streams with Windows Server 2008 - Terminal Services Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services can help you to better serve your small and medium sized custmers by enabling them to better connect to key applications from anywhere, while helping them protect critical data by removing it from laptop hard drives. This session will cover in detail and with demonstrations the new features of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (TS Gateway, TS RemoteApp(TM), TS Web Access
Essential Tools to Win Virtualization Projects – Microsoft Virtualization Solution Accelerators
- 1 Hour
- Essential Tools to Win Virtualization Projects – Microsoft Virtualization Solution Accelerators Are your customers ready for Virtualization? Use the newly released Microsoft Virtualization Solution Accelerators, a collection of free automated tools and technical guidance, to help you win more virtualization projects during pre-sales and complete them in less time. Presenter: Baldwin NG - Senior Product Manager Baldwin Ng is the Senior Product Manager for the Microsoft Solution
Managing Virtual Infrastructures with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007
- 1 Hour
- Managing Virtual Infrastructures with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 Microsoft has several new virtualization technologies that are launching in the coming months. Want to learn more technical details about these technologies? This webcast will provide a technical overview of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, and SoftGrid Application Virtualization. Topics will include an architectural overview of all products, specific feature
Virtualization (Formerly SoftGrid) Overview
- 1 Hour
- Microsoft® Application Virtualization improves end user productivity and reduces the associated risks Presenter: Jameel Khalfan
Microsoft the Complete Virtualization Story
- 1 Hour
- Employing Virtualization technologies across the IT infrastructure is a major step towards a creating Dynamic IT environment. From reducing the utility expense in the data center to avoiding extensive application compatibility testing for desktop deployments, virtualization significantly improves the efficiency of IT operations. From streamlining backup to rapid disaster recovery, virtualization is a cornerstone of a robust business continuity strategy. And from rapid
Windows Server 2008 Virtualization and Licensing Update
- 1 Hour
- Windows Server 2008 Virtualization and Licensing Update Understand what is new with Windows Server licensing and pricing for 2008. Learn general licensing rules and requirements, virtualization rights, and new product updates for Windows Server 2008. Get up to speed with Windows Server licensing in order to understand how best to sell Windows Server 2008 to customers. Presenter: John Cullen - Product Manager
https://partner.microsoft.com/40058151
Keep up with the latest 2008 Worldwide Partner Conference information. And stay abreast of opportunities to network with thousands of other Microsoft partners and expand your business opportunities. Subscribe to the Worldwide Partner Conference RSS feed to receive updates and announcements—delivered instantly to your RSS reader.
What Is RSS?
What is RSS? Really Simple Syndication (RSS) technology enables you to automatically receive content from different websites in one place, so you don’t have to scour a range of resources to find pertinent information. When you subscribe to an RSS feed, you can save time because multiple news feeds are delivered to a single page through your RSS reader or aggregator, along with any other feeds to which you’ve subscribed. Learn more.
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