The Source

Beta availability of Lightswitch development tool (aka Kittyhawk)

richard — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:07:55 GMT

Lightswitch can be viewed as a way to build business applications for the desktop, the Web and the cloud. It's a tool that relies on pre-built templates to make building applications easier for non-professional programmers. LightSwitch allows users to connect their applications to Excel, SharePoint or Azure services. Applications built with LightSwitch can run anywhere Silverlight can.

Access to the beta code is available using your MSDN subscription resources.

Windows Azure Platform Technical Briefing

Tommy K — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:52:21 GMT

Windows Azure Platform Technical Briefing

Tuesday 29th June 2010 Microsoft Reading

This small and informal briefing is designed to help you get any Windows Azure, and related cloud questions, answered. The event is aimed at CTOs, senior technical architects and system designers, and will cover the full Azure platform and its capabilities, features and commercial details.

For more information, or to book a place, please email ukdev@microsoft.com and put “Migrating Business to the Cloud” in the email title

Windows XP SP2, Server 2000 end of support - July 13th 2010

David Overton — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:27:09 GMT

Just a quick reminder that customers will no longer be supported by Microsoft on Windows Server 2000 or Windows XP SP2 in a months time.

Reminder: End of Support for Windows XP SP2, Windows 2000 Server and Professional on July 13, 2010
Support (including new security updates) ends July 13, 2010 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows 2000 Server and Professional. Migration to the latest OS or installation of the current service pack is recommended.

Windows Azure Platform Technical Briefing - 29th June 2010

David Overton — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:26:54 GMT

On Tuesday 29th June at the Microsoft offices in Reading we are hosting a small and informative briefing on Windows Azure. This briefing is designed to help you get any Windows Azure or related cloud questions answered by Microsoft. The event is aimed at CTOs, senior technical architects and system designers, and will cover the full Azure platform and its capabilities, features and commercial details.

For more information, or to book a place, please email ukdev@microsoft.com (the link should automatically add the subject line of "Migrating Business to the Cloud").

Thanks

David

Tecnology webcasts

richard — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:56:09 GMT

Don't miss out on these great webcasts! - Check out our upcoming and on-demand webcasts below for hot updates, new product information and valuable Partner related topics. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to your partners via 1:1 communication. Partner Learning Centre (PLC) links are provided for your convenience.

Application Platform University:

Dynamics:

Customer Care Accelerator for Dynamics CRM CTI Overview

Healthcare:

Building your Healthcare Physician Practice Solutions on Small Business Server 2008 Premium Partner Readiness Webinar

Microsoft Online Services:

SQL Server 2008 R2:

Plan SQL Server 2008 R2 infrastructure with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.0

System Center:

Trusted Advisor:

Microsoft Customer Opportunity Insights Tool - Helping you get more from your customer base

Virtualization:

Virtual Server Performance Degradation: "What the Frag is Going Wrong!?"

Windows 7:

Windows 7 Best Practices from Microsoft IT

Windows Server 2008 R2:

Past, Present, and Future of Windows-Based NAS: A Growing Market for Highly Available Solutions

UIA training for ISV developers

Tommy K — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:36:17 GMT

Creating Accessible Applications with the User Interface Automation (UIA) Framework (Free course)

This course will discuss and demonstrate how to develop accessible applications using the User Interface Automation (UIA) framework. Primarily a developer-focussed course, it will include coding demonstrations (using C#). However, it may also be of interest to a wider audience who is interested in understanding the capabilities of UIA.

The course format will be instructor-led, with a combination of slides and coding demonstrations scheduled for 22^nd June 2010 at the Microsoft Technology Centre, Microsoft UK Campus, Reading

Agenda

The workshop will cover the following areas:

· Introduction to Accessibility & Assistive Technologies

· Why make applications accessible?

· What is User Interface Automation (UIA)?

· UIA and Windows applications

· UIA and Web (Silverlight) applications

· Testing UIA

To register interest, please email Stephanie Cook i-stcook@microsoft.com

Partner Training Sessions

Tommy K — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:36:40 GMT

SQL Azure (Level 100) - June 10^th at 11:00 – 13:00

Durable data storage is a key component of any cloud computing offering. The Windows Azure Platform offers many options, which can be used alone or in combination. Windows Azure itself offers ready-to-use and lightweight storage in the form of tables, blobs, and queues. Another choice for storage is SQL Azure, a true relational database in the cloud. In this session, we’ll explore the SQL Azure, how it’s different from classic storage and sees usage and benefits

Target Audience: Architects, Developers and Database administrators

Click Here To Register

CRM 4.0 in the Financial Sector (Level 200) - June 17^th at 11:00 – 13:00

This event will focus on the extensibility and level with which Dynamics CRM can be customized to fit various industries. This Event will primarily focus on the financial sector and help manage companies of all sizes. This industry demo will provide an opportunity to maintain a clear view of customers enabling financial advisors, financial planners and insurance agents to leverage their clients’ profile and portfolio information to identify cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, improve customer retention and overall portfolio performance. This vertical solution delivers on results driven management of lead and referral tracking, comprehensive contact relationship features, improved productivity with Outlook integration, and business analytics consisting of portfolio tracking and robust reporting capabilities

Target Audience: Pre-sales, Technical consultants and Field Consultants

Click Here To Register

SharePoint 2010 – Search (Level 200) - June 24^th at 11:00 – 13:00

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 offers all of the enterprise search features and functionality that are in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and provides many new enterprise search capabilities. This session summarizes the new enterprise search features and functionality in SharePoint Server 2010. With these new capabilities, search administrators can configure an optimal, secure search infrastructure that enables end users to find information in the enterprise quickly and efficiently.

Target Audience: IT-Pro, Consultants

Click Here To Register

Exploring the value of the Microsoft Partner Network

richard — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:17:15 GMT

The Microsoft Partner Programme has evolved. We are proud to introduce the Microsoft Partner Network, a community born from our continued commitment to serve the needs of our partners and to help them reach their full potential.

We recognise that each one of our 32,000 UK Partners have different needs. These Live Series events are designed to help you understand more about the ongoing transition, and to bring to the surface the very specific opportunities and benefits for you, depending upon your organisations primary focus.

The following Live Series will cover:

Microsoft Partner Network vision and strategy.
Overview of relevant benefits.
Transition process, timescales, implications and opportunities.
Partner Q and A.

For ISV Partners

9:30 - 10:30am

More information and register

Exploring the opportunity of the Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2010

richard — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:15:49 GMT

WPC 2010 is the must attend event of the year for partners worldwide to learn about Microsoft's roadmap and best practices for the year, plan your business, connect and network with other partners and Microsoft employees, experience the latest product innovations and brainstorm solutions. This conference will be invaluable to your business and an opportunity not to be missed. WPC will take place July 11-15, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
This Live Series is designed to explore the value and potential of the Worldwide Partner Conference, and to provide a forum for partners to ask our experts questions.

https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40134296

Learn SQL - A Technical Readiness Solution on SQL Server 2008 R2

richard — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 06:54:56 GMT

Microsoft Technical Advisory Services

Learn SQL Learn virtually.. Implement practically..

The Technical Advisory Services Team is proud to announce "Learn SQL - A Technical Readiness Solution on SQL Server 2008 R2". We would like you to think about : -

Do you want to ramp-up your SQL Administrator team and be ready for the next generation of Database Solutions experience.
Do you want to cut short your learning curve?
Are you paying a large amount to learn?

If the answer for any of the above questions is YES, then come and join "Learn SQL' with Microsoft Technical Advisory Services Team.

Objective:

To enable our Gold Certified partners to use the latest Microsoft Technologies
Focus of this readiness course: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

What it gives you:

Knowledge about Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Increased confidence in using the technology
Hands-on experience with this technology
Sufficient time to practice the concepts and ask questions

Benefits:

Stay ahead of the field
Any number of people can join from your company
Learn with us and do it yourself
Get session recordings and reference materials during the course
Interact with Microsoft Subject Matter Experts & learn from the BEST

Fee:

There is NO FEE associated with this course

(As a part of the Gold Certified Partner Contract, you get a benefit of 40 advisory hours. Each of the session will be scoped on the basis of these advisory hours and based on the discussion with you, the advisory hours will be decremented from the 40 advisory hours.)

Delivery:

The entire delivery would be done over Microsoft LiveMeeting

Duration:

Flexible - as per your requirements (Approx Time - 2 weeks)

Session Content :

SQL Server 2008 R2 (Infrastructure Track)

SQL Server 2008 R2 (Developer Track)

Design & Deployment

Upgrading and Migrating to SQL Server 2008 / R2
Database Design Considerations
SQL Server Consolidation

High Availability

SQL Server High Availability Solutions
SQL Server Replication

Manageability

Managing SQL Server and Databases

Maintenance

SQL Server Performance Monitoring
SQL Server Performance Troubleshooting Concepts

SQL Server 2008 R2 - Business Intelligence

SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services
SQL Server 2008 R2 Integration Services
SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services
Power Pivots with DAX with Parallel Data Warehousing
SQL Server 2008 R2 - Report Builder 3.0

SQL Server 2008 R2 - Developer

T-SQL Features
Data-Tier Application in Visual Studio 2010
Master Data Service
SQL Azure

How to Register :

Step-1:

Email your partner account manager with the following information. Once you have done this a technical consultant from Technical Advisory Services team will contact you to discuss your requirements and register you for the course.

(NOTE - We will work with you to draft the sessions based on your requirements i.e. if only few sessions are in line with your requirement, we will customize the modules based on your needs.)

Company Name:
S. No.	Contact Name	Contact Number	Email address	Best time to call
1.
2.	(Add more rows for multiple attendees)

Note: Registration is subject to the advisory hours left and your current contract status

Step-2:

We will conduct a Kick-off session to explain the course material, class logistics and action items. We will also address any queries that you may have. Participants can post their questions directly to the presenter. We will work on the action plan for the delivery of sessions for your team.

Note : We will conclude each session by sharing the recordings, PowerPoint slide decks, important reference material and session feedback form.

For more information, or to schedule a class, send an email to sarishg@microsoft.com

Windows Embedded now released

richard — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:12:18 GMT

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/Microsoft-Announces-Windows-Embedded-Standard-7-RTM-604260/

"Microsoft announced the release to manufacturing April 27 of its Windows Embedded Standard 7, which allows manufacturers to utilize Windows 7-based components for the creation of specialized devices such as industry-specific handhelds. The company had originally released a beta of the platform under the name Windows Embedded Standard 2011 in September 2009."

SQL Server 2008 R2 Live Meeting for ISV's

richard — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:24:42 GMT

Do you want to find out more about SQL Server 2009 R2 announced this week and the potential positive developments for Microsoft ISV's? If so then this session run by Tony Young is for you, it will introduce you the major new editions, pricing & features of SQL 2008 R2 and is aiming to help your decision process when considering porting your applications to this exciting new platform.

Join the meeting

Make sure the Office Live Meeting client is installed before the meeting:

I am connecting from inside the Microsoft network
I am connecting from outside the Microsoft network

AUDIO INFORMATION

To join a meeting from your phone, dial in using the following information:

Phone: +18883203585 [English]

Phone: +14257063500 [English]

Find a local phone number for your region

Conference ID: 37105717

Passcode: Passcode is not required.

Note: If you have an account on this corporate network, use your PIN to join. Have you set your PIN?

TROUBLESHOOTING

Unable to join the meeting? Start Office Live Meeting and join the meeting with the following information:

Meeting ID: 0874dea644d34fc58c35c0c5e7c59619

Entry Code: 3439

Location: meet:sip:tonyou@microsoft.com;gruu;opaque=app:conf:focus:id:0874dea644d34fc58c35c0c5e7c59619%3Fconf-key=3439

If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support:

NOTICE

Office Live Meeting can be used to record meetings. By participating in this meeting, you agree that your communications may be monitored or recorded at any time during the meeting.

Training: SharePoint 2010 self-paced training

Joanna Carpenter — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:07:27 GMT

Ignite Online: Now Available on the Partner Learning Center

Partners can upgrade their skills to SharePoint 2010 through a series of self-paced modules of SharePoint 2010 technical training –including demos, presentations and hosted hands-on-labs now available through the Partner Learning Center! With two different tracks, both IT professionals and developers can take advantage of SharePoint 2010 Ignite to get ready to deploy and support implementations of, or build custom applications on SharePoint 2010. Share the links below with your partners today!

SharePoint 2010 Ignite Online for IT Professionals

SharePoint 2010 Ignite Online for Developers

Self-paced Azure Technical Training

richard — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:16:48 GMT

A FREE, self-paced, interactive, Azure learning course - starts May 10^th

We are piloting a new way for developers and architects to increase their understanding of the Microsoft Azure Platform - a FREE, self-paced, interactive, Azure learning course. It will run over a 6 week period, starting May 10th, and you can take part at your own pace, without ever needing to leave the comfort of your home or office.

During the course you will get involved via interactive Live Meetings sessions, watching on-line videos, working through hands-on labs and researching and completing weekly coursework assignments. There will be mentors to help you.

For more details and to register, visit http://bit.ly/isvregisterukazure2010 . If you have any questions about the course and its suitability, or want to give us feedback about it, please email ukdev@microsoft.com.

Azure Event - May 13th, register now!

richard — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:01:03 GMT

We would like to extent to you an early invite to the Partner Business Briefing: Migrating Business to the Cloud.

By joining us on 13 May 2010 you'll be able to hear Bob Muglia and David Chappell provide valuable insight into Microsoft Cloud Services and the opportunities it brings to your business.

Microsoft's Server and Tools Business, of which Bob Muglia is President, delivers technology innovation, that helps IT pros and developers create highly-optimised and agile infrastructures.

David Chappell is Principal of Chappell & Associates in San Francisco, California. His speaking, writing, and consulting, helps people around the world understand, use, and make better decisions about new technology.

Agenda Thursday 13 May 2010, 9.00am - 12.00pm

Microsoft Cloud Services
Learn about the five dimensions of the Cloud, one of the biggest technology opportunities in decades.

Mark Taylor, Director Developer and Platform, Microsoft UK

Cloud Platforms Today: A Perspective

An independent perspective on Microsoft's Cloud platform, and where VMware, Amazon, and Google, fit into the story.
David Chappell, Principal of Chappell & Associates

The Cloud in Action
Partners already using Microsoft Cloud Services illustrate how they have been working with the three key Cloud services scenarios.

Cloud Services Momentum
Understand the market opportunity and expected momentum of the Cloud with Microsoft Online Services.
Bob Muglia, President of the Server and Tools Business, Microsoft Corporation

Cloud Services Panel
Our panel of experts, including Bob Muglia and David Chappell, answer questions from the audience.

Places for this event are strictly limited, so we advise that you take advantage of your exclusive early invite to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Register now. If you need help registering please email ukplcsup@microsoft.com or call 0870 8509442.

Channel Development Resources

richard — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:55:05 GMT

Some interesting resourcs that may help you create overseas channels:http://channeldev.msdev.com/

May 2010 Azure Training for ISV Partners

richard — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:38:48 GMT

Mo. 24.05.10 at TVP: 44WW8 - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032450143&Culture=en-GB

Tue. 25.05.10 at TVP: 44WW9 - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032450145&Culture=en-GB

Wed. 26.05.10 at London: 44WW10 - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032450150&Culture=en-GB

Thu. 27.05.10 in Yorkshire: 44WW11 - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032450151&Culture=en-GB

Fri. 28.05.10 Live Meeting follow up session: 44WW12 - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032450152&Culture=en-GB

Agenda:

Delivered through workshop style presentations the workshop will focus on three key services - Windows Azure, SQL Azure and .NET Services. The Windows Azure Platform is an internet-scale cloud services platform hosted in Microsoft data centres, which provides an operating system and a set of developer services that can be used individually or together. Azure's flexible and interoperable platform can be used to build new applications to run from the cloud or enhance existing applications with cloud-based capabilities.

Workshop Outline

· Module 1: Windows Azure Platform overview

Module 2: Introduction to Windows Azure
Module 3: Building services using Windows Azure
Module 4: Windows Azure storage
Module 5: Building applications using SQL Azure
Module 6: Introduction to .NET Services
Module 7: Building applications using the .NET Service Bus

At the end of the one-day workshop delegates will get access to self-study hands-on labs and also have the opportunity to ask questions to subject matter experts via a Live Meeting session on Friday 28th May.

Why you should attend Worldwide Partner Conference

richard — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:34:42 GMT

Exploring the opportunity of the Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2010

Thursday 6th May, 11am

More information and register

You should attend this event if:

You have been to WPC before and want to understand more about this year's event.
You are new to WPC and have not attended before.
You are considering attending but have questions, reservations or challenges.

What's new in SQL Server 2008 R2? (BI and Data Management)

David Overton — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:19:04 GMT

Live Series - What's new in SQL Server 2008 R2? (BI and Data Management)
By Carla Symonds in The Live Series

Live Series - What's new in SQL Server 2008 R2? (BI and Data Management)

27^th April 2010 - 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Summary:
This will give an overview (level 200) of all the significant features in SQL Server 2008 R2, such as PowerPivot and Stream Insight and Master data Services. As well as seeing these in action we'll be discussing what the likely partner opportunities are. The session will conclude with an introduction to the new editions of SQL Server

Register Now - https://training.partner.microsoft.com/learning/app/management/LMS_ActDetails.aspx?UserMode=0&ActivityId=579598

SQL Server 2008 and R2 - beyond BI - Live Meeting today

David Overton — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:17:52 GMT

I know this is a little late, but there is a Live Meeting today on SQL Server Data Management that may be of great interest to you.

Live Series - There's more to SQL Server than BI - Growing a SQL Server Data Management practice
By Carla Symonds in The Live Series

Live Series - There's more to SQL Server than BI - Growing a SQL Server Data Management practice
13^th April 2010 – 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Summary:
In this session we want to show what the opportunities are in data management as distinct from Business Intelligence, e.g. consolidation, upgrade and migration. This will be based on new features in SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 together with an overview of what is involved and what technical and sales resources are available to support you with this.

Register Now - https://training.partner.microsoft.com/learning/app/management/LMS_ActDetails.aspx?UserMode=0&ActivityId=579602