Fred Pullen's Blog

Mobilizing the Microsoft Stack! (Get a free* Windows Mobile device!!)

fpullen — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:49:00 GMT

Registration is limited, so sign up today! Here's the invitation, with links at the bottom:

Mobility is HOT! Business owners are trying to maximize the return on their investment in each person they hire. More than 2/3 of all workers spend nearly 40% of their time away from a desk and employers need that time to be productive. Microsoft is investing significantly, teaching each of our partners how to technically integrate and articulate the value proposition of our server stack for workers when they leave their desk. Now is the time to invest in learning to address your customers most critical need of mobility.

Resources available to you when you attend this course:
• Microsoft Partner Event kit with co-funding to run your own mobility event in your area
• Evaluation Windows Mobile devices to experience for yourself or for your customers the value of Microsoft mobility technology
• Technical support staff to answer your technical questions on integrating mobility in the IT architecture
• Over 10K wireless carrier sales people driving business to you to implement mobility solutions
• Opportunity to purchase Windows Mobile devices at discount prices
• Increase opportunity for profit though the Wireless Carriers “Master Agent” programs and new services business

Upon completion of this readiness series, you will have a better understanding of how to technically integrate Windows Mobile devices with the Microsoft server technology of Windows, Exchange, CRM, Office, LCS and SQL. Further, you will be empowered by Microsofts multi-million dollar US investment in driving awareness through our Enable Your Mobile Workforce Customer Campaign.

Earn a Free* Windows Mobile 5.0 Device.
Attend one of the “Mobilizing the Microsoft Stack” partner readiness events and deploy a mobility solution for one of your customers within 60 days of attending the event to receive a Windows Mobile 5.0 device** to keep at no charge.*

*Proof of performance must be submitted to Fax# (503) 306-6119 and must include all of the following: Customer Reference Letter highlighting the Customer Pain Point, Server Technology Deployed and the number of Windows Mobile devices sold; Receipt for server software (qualifying servers include Exchange Server 2003, Small Business Server 2003, SQL 2005, CRM 3.0, Live Communication Server), and a minimum of 5 Windows Mobile 5.0 devices dated post event attendance. Device quantity limited to one per partner attending the Mobilizing the Microsoft Stack event series. Limited time offer. Supplies limited. Must be a registered partner with MSPP to participate.

**Connected devices, connectivity and over-the-air synchronization solutions may require separately purchased equipment and/or other wireless products (e.g., WiFi card, network software, server hardware, or redirector software). Service plans are required for Internet, WiFi, and phone access. These products and services may need to be purchased separately. Features and performance may vary by service provider and are subject to network limitations. See device manufacturer, service provider, and/or corporate IT department for details.

Date	DOW	State	City	Attendee Registration URL
10/02/06	Monday	Washington	DC	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308713&Culture=en-US
10/02/06	Monday	San Francisco	CA	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308007&Culture=en-US
10/03/06	Tuesday	Downers Grove	IL	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308009&Culture=en-US
10/03/06	Tuesday	Malvern	PA	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308714&Culture=en-US
10/04/06	Wednesday	Southfield	MI	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308010&Culture=en-US
10/04/06	Wednesday	Dallas	TX	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308011&Culture=en-US
10/04/06	Wednesday	Phoenix	AZ	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308743&Culture=en-US
10/05/06	Thursday	Tampa	FL	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308715&Culture=en-US
10/16/06	Monday	Irvine	CA	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308012&Culture=en-US
10/19/06	Thursday	Waltham	MA	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308716&Culture=en-US
10/25/06	Wednesday	Raleigh	NC	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308717&Culture=en-US
10/26/06	Thursday	Iselin	NJ	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308718&Culture=en-US
11/03/06	Friday	Denver	CO	http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032308008&Culture=en-US

SBS 2003 Partner Group Tour, Denver, 9/21!

fpullen — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 02:15:00 GMT

The 2003 SBS Road Show is under way! Come meet the SBS development team and get lots of great information around SBS. Details and registration at http://www.msreadiness.com/il_abstract.asp?eid=5008925.

See Windows Vista

fpullen — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:00:25 GMT

Are your customers starting to ask about Windows Vista? Send them to www.SeeWindowsVista.com.

There are numerous videos showing how Windows Vista can help enage customers, manage a business, and more!

Microsoft Across America Demo Trucks

fpullen — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:10:27 GMT

Here’s a great article on our Microsoft Across America demo trucks, helping this truly become a Land of Opportunities for Microsoft Partners! If you’re organizing a large event and would like to leverage this resource yourself, check out http://www.MicrosoftPartnerEvents.com.

Save 20% on Small Business Specialist Exams!

fpullen — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:57:57 GMT

For a limited time, you can save 20% on the cost of Microsoft Certification Program exams 70-282 or 74-134. Passing one of these tests helps qualify you to be a Small Business Specialist. You can also participate in the Second Shot Free Exam Retake and save 25% on the practice test for exam 70-282.

Click here for details.

Action Pack will include Vista & Office 2007!

fpullen — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:56:03 GMT

It was just confirmed: Starting in July, Action Pack subscribers will receive the Beta 2 versions of both Windows Vista and Office 2007.

Gain first-hand experience of the new look and feel, features, and functionality of the 2007 release of Office 2007. Explore Windows Vista: more secure, more reliable, and easier to use than any previous version of the Windows operating system. Renew or subscribe now to receive the betas. Download Windows Vista Beta and Office 2007 Beta before your July Kit arrives.

The Action Pack is one of the best benefits of being a Registered Partner, so sign up today!

Get Windows Vista Beta 2 Today!

fpullen — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 03:50:00 GMT

Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for you to install, test, and enjoy!

Download it today from the Windows Vista GetReady site. And don't forget the Windows Vista Product Guide, with more than 300 pages of Vista goodness!

Microsoft Gear-Up

fpullen — Tue, 30 May 2006 00:12:00 GMT

In March 2006, enhancements to Software Assurance benefits started offering customers 24x7 business-critical support, improved deployment and manageability, greater cost savings, and more technology protection. Software Assurance benefits are designed to help customers realize the full value of their software investment throughout each stage of the software lifecycle, whenever they need it.

If you haven't checked out this site lately, please do!

Want the 2007 Office system Beta 2?

fpullen — Thu, 25 May 2006 08:11:24 GMT

It’s now available for download!

The 2007 Microsoft Office system preview site has details.

The Windows Vista Product Guide: It's Baaaack!

fpullen — Thu, 25 May 2006 07:56:00 GMT

The Windows Vista Product Guide is now freely available in Microsoft Word format!

Click here to download it as .xps or .doc.

You should also check out the Windows Vista Home Page for additional information. It’s an exciting time!

Update Terminology

fpullen — Mon, 08 May 2006 12:14:04 GMT

If you can’t describe the basic differences between a Critical Update, a Hotfix, an Upgrade, and a Security Update, then you may want to check out this KB article. It’s a quick read, but will clarify Microsoft’s update terminology for you and your customers.

RMS & SQL Server 2005

fpullen — Wed, 03 May 2006 23:27:26 GMT

I had a great question today, asking if Windows Rights Management Services is supported on SQL Server 2005. I just received the answer from a Technical Product Manager:

Is the RMS Server supported with a SQL Server 2005 database?

Yes, RMS is supported with a SQL Server 2005 (or 2000, SP3 or above) database. There is a SQL Server update that must be applied in order to reconcile an issue involving error codes (the patch adds an error code required by RMS to one of the SQL Server tables). Once this update is applied, the RMS Server will function normally. The update can be found at the following KB link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913372

Windows Vista FUD

fpullen — Wed, 03 May 2006 22:06:00 GMT

In the “Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt” category comes Gartner’s report claiming that Windows Vista won’t be widely available until Q2, 2007. If you have customers who are concerned about this, you may want to read Ed Bott's response and this Computerworld article. Like us, you probably get questions all the time about Microsoft, so it’s important to have a good sense of perspective.

For example, in March everybody was claiming that Windows Vista’s launch date had slipped. But was this really true? While Microsoft is still on track to RTM all versions in November—and distribute them to enterprise customers—Windows Vista won’t be broadly available to consumers until January. Microsoft Partners, including system builders and retailers, need more than a month to fill their product channels. This makes perfect sense, and is worth passing along if/when your customers ask you about it.

Microsoft Dynamics Resource Directory

fpullen — Wed, 03 May 2006 18:47:34 GMT

Questions about Microsoft Dynamics? Looking for information on Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0? Want to know where to go for white papers, marketing materials, sales information, or technical resources?

Download the Microsoft Dynamics Resource Directory below! This is a one-page PDF document highlighting Microsoft Dynamics resources for Microsoft Partners.

File Attachment: MSCP62_chart_032306final.pdf (580 KB)

Xbox 360 TS2 Event Giveaway!

fpullen — Mon, 01 May 2006 13:05:00 GMT

Win an Xbox 360!

One lucky Microsoft Partner who attends a TS2 Event during the month of May will win an Xbox 360!

Check the official rules for details.