Partner Perspectives

If you're thinking of making the move there is increasingly more information to let you know how good the experience will be on your existing hardware. eWeek commented that you probably don't need to upgrade unless you need the eye candy but you can get a more scientific opinion with the free Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta. I just ran is and it looks like my Tecra M4 is going to have to shed some music (5gb) or get flattened as I don't have the 15gb free space needed :) Basic spec requirements are at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx

Posted by: Steve

I just posted this over on my own blog but thought it was good enough to post here too - a series of webcasts with a lot of promise, not least the upcoming two that talk about an integrated IT platform (aka stack) and include Rob Helms from Directions on Microsoft.

In addition:

• Microsoft Webcast: Get a Head Start on Windows Vista
• Microsoft Webcast: How to Align IT with Business Goals (Part 1 of 2)
• Microsoft Webcast: Better IT Management Through IT Governance (Part 1 of 2)

Could be worth a scan.

Posted by: Steve

Partners (Mike Jones) asked for PTS-TV to be downloadable, the the powers that be said "nada" but Alex made it happen. You can now have James, Dave and Mark resident on your PC :)

More coming tomorrow - this time SQL with Christian.

Posted by: Steve

John has posted a good piece on the fact that many customers have Sharepoint Services but just don’t know it. Lets turn all their lights on and help them make the most of what they have. Read more over at:

John Westworth : Dej Vu and Windows SharePoint Services

Posted by: Steve

One week on from James Akriggshowing you have to find stuff more easily with Windows Desktop Search, Dave Sayers is ready to grace your screens talking about security. I won't steal any of his thunder but as always, remember to tune in til the end to get the outtakes. Dave also has a great article on Patching Pains on PTS-Press.

Oh and following feedback from Mike at Compass Hill, we've now made the videos available to download too. Very Channel 9 :)

Final oh - we need your input on what you'd like to see in future videos. To date we've had the following:

1. MOM
2. Storage
3. Scorecarding
4. Virtualisation
5. More of Sparky
6. More on what resources we have for partners
7. More outtakes

Any additions?

Posted by: Steve

If you want to keep track of the games on your PC the Office team have put together an Excel World Cup Tracker template. Great for tracking that office sweepstake!

[UPDATE: Steve] Our bCentral site also has an Outlook World Cup fixture list as a free download. This is the best one I have seen yet with details on the TV channel for the game, teams in action and links to further info. Sweet!

Posted by: Nicola Y

Our PTS Business Intelligence and SQL Server Superhero, James Senior, is offering a great opportunity to get your hands on the Customer Technology Preview version of the SQL Server Migration Assistant for Sybase. Visit James’ blog to find out how you can benefit from a special package of resources and services.

You need to get your application in by 19 May, so apply today!

Posted by: Madeleine

Here is a very nice little offer from Interquad, a Gold Certified Learning Solutions Partner. This special offer is for partners who are looking to achieve the Network Infrastructure competency. Until the end of June you can save over 60% on a five day instructor led course. Together with our second shot exam offer it’s a great time to look at brushing up your Network Infrastructure skills.

Posted by: Nicola Y

We’re pleased to announce the launch of an Ignite Sales Tour for Small Business. You may be familiar with the current Ignite Tour where we’re travelling around the country in the evening (it’s all above board) and talking about Flexible Working, Business Efficiency and Collaborative Business as s series of solution led approaches to selling.

Here’s the blurb on the Small Business version and of course you can get more info at the Ignite web page.

Small Business Server with a focus on Flexible Working and Collaborative Business solutions - This session is aimed at partners who service small business customers and are either selling Small Business Server and would like to expand their offerings, or who would like to move into this market . This session will give an overview of SBS, Collaborative Business and Flexible Working solutions, show attendees the opportunities for selling services around these areas, and give the next steps for a partner to successfully grow their business in this market. This session is not a technical session and so attendees should be people within the partner organisation responsible for Sales.

Posted by: Steve

As promised, the third video from PTS-TV studios is now Live. Check out James Akrigg talk about the Winter Music Conference, debunk the techie stereotype and talk about search helping him deal with his 1500 email's per week. You can also see James’s PTS-Press article where he gives even more detail on search.

Don’t forget to send us your feedback, good or bad and share the link. Oh, and don’t forget the out-takes at the end of the video :)

Posted by: Steve

Later today we’ll post the third PTS-TV video starring James Akrigg and some interesting furniture moving and Peter Hook from New Order. You’ll also hear about search technologies, and how Windows Desktop Search is something you’ll want to talk to customers about.

We’re shooting the next round of interviews in a few weeks so if there are particular topics or people you’d like to hear more on, send us feedback using the Comments link .

Posted by: Steve

It’s been a little while coming but we hope you enjoy it – PTS-TV is available today with two videos to launch the first edition. We have a PTS-TV introduction from Katie Ledger, who then goes onto interview Mark Deakin on Unified Communications.

Be sure to watch right until the end to see some hilarious outtakes and remember to let us know what else you’d like to see covered.

We have more videos coming your way each week so be sure to share them with your friends and connect with the PTS team.

View PTS-TV here

Posted by: Alex

The return from Easter has led to a flurry of great posts - James Senior, PTS for BI, has posted some great links to free Business Scorecard Manager training.

Posted by: Alex

Orange have announced a flat rate for business Windows Mobile device users on Orange – see Mark’s post for more info.

http://blogs.technet.com/markdea/archive/2006/04/11/424923.aspx

Posted by: Alex