Microsoft West Region Partner Community Area : Hot Topic

Linked In - Big Easy Logo

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:42:37 GMT

Missed today's Big Easy Live Meeting? let me know and i'll send you the deck and handouts. Plus, they mentioned a neat way to let your customers know about this offer, associate yourself with the group. go to

www.linkedin.com/e/gis/133944

while there, please go ahead and get linked to me too :-)

New eBook by Stuart Crawford

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:22:15 GMT

I have recently published a new eBook on what IT Professionals need to focus on in the second half of this year and going forward into 2009.

Please feel free to share this eBook with your colleagues, friends and whoever would benefit from this...

Cheers

Have an awesome day!

Stuart

Stuart R. Crawford

Vice President, Business Development

IT Matters Inc.

530, 1000 8th Ave SW

Calgary, AB T2P 3M7

Canada

Phone: 403.710.4357

Fax: 403.503.0876

EMail: scrawford@itmatters.ca

Web: http://www.itmatters.ca

Access at my Skydrive

http://cid-e0867f061b7c8e88.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Microsoft%20Special%20Offers

FREE Pre-sales Technical Support

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:29:02 GMT

Did you know that there is a skilled team of partner technology specialist solely dedicated to providing technical and competitive sales assistance for partners? This motivated team will provide FREE Pre-sales technical support for any Microsoft deal over $5k. Partners must be registered at a minimum to be eligible and also are required to share information about the new sale in order to qualify.

· Technical Sales Support: Accelerate your close rate with assistance with configurations, reliability, feature capabilities, readiness, product demonstrations, scalability, interoperability, and migration.

· Competitive Sales Assistance: Overcome customer objections and positively position Microsoft technologies against the competition by providing white papers, discussion guides, case studies, customer-ready presentations, IT competitive comparisons, and business incentive funds.

· Business Value, Licensing, and Pricing: Assistance with comparison proof points, TCO, ROI, cost/value, performance, and licensing.

Keep this handy:

· Call 1-800-426-9400 between 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST

o Select option 1

o Enter extension 82973 for non-Dynamics products

o Have your Microsoft Partner Program ID readyFor issues or questions with TPTS service, send mail to partresp@microsoft.com

Enabling Mobility on SBS 2003

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:33:22 GMT

From one of our SBSC partners:

1 – Open HTTP & HTTPS (ports 80 & 443) on the firewall and point towards the server.

2 – Install a third-party SSL certificate. For future compatibility when migrating to Exchange 2007 without ISA, I use http://www.comodo.com/msexchange/, otherwise I use http://www.dotster.com/other/ssl/123.

a. Follow http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2007/08/21/how-to-install-a-public-3rd-party-ssl-certificate-on-iis-on-sbs-2003.aspx until you reach the Title “Transferring the SSL Certificate to the Default Web Site”

b. If you are not running with ISA then continue with Transferring the SSL Certificate to the Default Web Site.

c. If you are running ISA then install the certificate on to the two listening ports in ISA and leave the self-generated certificate on the Default Web Site.

3 – Exchange SP2 should be installed (done if R2 has been installed).

4 – Enable RPC over HTTP on Exchange

5 – Run CEICW and enable Outlook Mobile Access.

6 – Check Active Directory Users to make sure Mobile Services are enabled if not add users to Mobile Users.

7 – Enable Direct Push on the server

a. Ensure that SP2 for Exchange Server 2003 is installed on the server.

b. Open Exchange System Manager.

c. Expand Global Settings.

d. Right-click Mobile Services, and then click Properties.

e. Verify that the Enable Direct Push over HTTP(s) check box is selected.

8 - Install the Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Admin Tool on SBS

If you are trying to get familiar with the Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Tool on your Small Business Server computer to take advantage of the new Mobile Security Features that will be introduced in the Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging & Security Feature Pack, you will need to follow the steps below to get the web interface functioning properly on your Small Business Server computer:

a. Download the Mobile Admin pack

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e6851d23-d145-4dbf-a2cc-e0b4c6301453&DisplayLang=en

b. Backup the metabase in IIS (right click the servername in IIS -> all tasks -> backup/restore -> create backup)

c. TEMPORARILY set the default website to “all unassigned” (if it is not already)

d. Run MobileAdmin.exe that you downloaded in step 1.

e. You can also run OWAAdmin.exe at this point too for web based admin of OWA.

f. Reset IIS back to the way it was before step 3, if applicable

g. Open the properties for the ExAdmin virtual directory under the default website -> directory security -> Edit for Secure Communications and uncheck “Require SSL”

h. Restart the IIS Admin service

i. You should now be able to browse http://servername/mobileadmin and also select users to manage.

Note this interface allows 2 options: 1) Wipe the device and 2) delete the partnership. “Wipe the device” is self explanatory - we remove all user-specific information from the device and return it to factory default (like a hard reset). So what is “delete the partnership” you ask? Well, when a device synchs with Exchange it pushes some information to Exchange so that the server knows about the device. This information is referred to as a “partnership” (not to be confused with an ActiveSync partnership -no relation). You can remove this partnership information by using the “delete” option on the MobileAdmin page. When would you want to “delete” a partnership. One scenario is if only one user cannot synch with Exchange when previously he/she could. It may be that this “partnership” is confused. Simply “delete” the device partnership on the MobileAdmin page and then resynch with the device. After deleting the partnership, resynch with the device. You should see a new partnership appear on the MobileAdmin page and hopefully the device synchs successfully.

9 - Define and enforce security policies for mobile devices

a. On the server, open Exchange System Manager.

b. Expand Global Settings.

c. Right-click Mobile Services, and then click Properties.

d. Click the Device Security button.

e. In the Device Security Settings dialog box, configure the device security policy for Windows Mobile devices.

f. Enforce, Minimum 4 Characters, 20 minutes of inactivity, Wipe after 3 failed attempts, refresh settings every 1 hour

g. If you do not want to apply the policy to some user accounts, click the Exceptions button, and then add the user accounts to the exceptions list.

h. Click OK.

10 – Double check and fine-tune installation by following

http://www.petri.co.il/configure_rpc_over_https_on_a_single_server.htm

New CRM Online Offer for Eligible Partners

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:25:49 GMT

A significant offer was announced at WPC in Houston this year for the new CRM Online product! Eligible partners can purchase the Professional Plus version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for just $19 per month, per seat – this represents a 60% discount for you! All Certified (including Partners who have signed a CSA agreement), Gold, and SBSC Partners are eligible. Availability will begin in August for North America.

Call to Action: Go to the Partner Portal for more information about the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Offer (https://partner.microsoft.com/CRMforPartners). Sign up now with no obligation to purchase here: http://offers.crmchoice.com/CRMForPartners

Weekly Partner Live Meetings Are BACK!!!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:17:53 GMT

We’re back!! August 1^st kicks off the new fiscal year for the Microsoft Weekly Partner Live Meetings for the West Region. Mark your calendar with a recurring reminder TODAY!!

Every Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Join the meeting @ https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join?id=7FHDJC&role=attend&pw=NWPartner
Toll-free: +1 (866) 500-6738, Participant code: 675400

The August 1^st meeting will focus on how to increase your sales. Join us for a lively, interactive discussion, and open panel on how to best integrate licensing into your sales discussion. Whether you are a reseller today or have possibly considered it, only sell managed services, don’t understand licensing, or are a licensing expert; you should join this call to get tips from the experts at Ingram Micro. Bring your tough(est) questions, difficult sales situations, all questions whether simple or complex; we’ll address them all. Don’t have any questions, listen in and get some great ideas on how to increase your sales today.

Security Software Advisor (SSA) Jumpstart Promotion 2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:01:51 GMT

Promotion open to partners new to SSA

Time Limited SSA Promotion for New Partners: SSA Jumpstart

If you’re a new partner filing your first SSA claim, until September 30 you’ll be eligible to receive—at the end of the promotion—an additional bonus payment of 50% of the amount of the filed claim. You’ll also receive two Microsoft Learning exam vouchers to help you qualify for the Security Solutions competency. The vouchers qualify two Microsoft Certified Professionals to take any of the following exams for no charge:

∙ Exam 70-351– TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring

∙ Exam 70-557– TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuring

∙ Exam 70-640– TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

∙ Exam 70-647– PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

	Download FAQ
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/competencies/securitysolutions/40073109

Northern CA Research $$ Offer

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:34:54 GMT

I just received this offer from SBDC Technology Advisory Program [SBDC_Technology_Advisory_Program@mail.vresp.com]

Do you have 9 or more employees? If you do, then

You are invited to participate in a research project led by the world famous Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). We're looking for 15 interested small business owners or managers to participate in a 2 hour focus group.

We realize that your time is important. Each participant will receive:

$100 cash
Chance to win a Garmin Nuvi 200W GPS unit ($250 value - 1 in 15 chance to win)

If you:

Work in a small business with 9 or more employees
Are a business owner or technology purchasing decision-maker, and
Have an interest in cutting edge technology solutions for small business

Then we'd like you to join us and share your vision for a better technology future.

To be considered for this research, please reply now to this email with a phone number where you’d like to be reached. Only 15 participants can be included.

OV VAR Rebate Extended

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:13:32 GMT

Given the overwhelming response by partners, the OV VAR Rebate will be extended through December 26, 2008. I encourage you to continue purchasing Open Value. IF you have not yet enrolled in the program, enrollment is now open again.

Kindly note the following:

1.) Partners that enrolled before June 27, 2008 will now be eligible for rebates on Open Value Sales from June 28, 2008 to December 26, 2008.

2.) Partners that enroll between June 28, and December 26, 2008 will be able to participate in the OV VAR Rebate Program for Open Value sales for the period June 28 through December 26, 2008, provided they opt in prior to December 26, 2008.

3.) The products involved and corresponding payout categories remain the same, with the exception of the addition of PerformancePoint Server to the Green Category (30%), and the deletion of OneCare from Open.

Mappoint Partner Needed in NorCal

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:50:30 GMT

please contact me if you have any experience in Mappoint - suzl@microsoft.com

Consolidation of Hyper-V Resource Links

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:31:31 GMT

Websites

Microsoft Virtualization Home Page

http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/default.mspx

Virtualization Case Studies

http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/case-studies.mspx

Virtualization Solution Accelerators

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/cc197910.aspx

Windows Server 2008 Virtualization & Consolidation: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/virtualization-consolidation.aspx

Hyper-V FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-faq.aspx

Optimized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI and much more): http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/enterprise/default.mspx

Virtualization TechCenter:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/default.aspx

How to Install Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V RC

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-install.aspx

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Performance Tuning Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sysperf/Perf_tun_srv.mspx

MSDN & TechNet Powered by Hyper-V

http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2008/05/20/msdn-and-technet-powered-by-hyper-v.aspx

MSDN & TechNet Powered by Hyper-V Whitepaper

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/C/5/6C559B56-8556-4097-8C81-2D4E762CD48E/MSCOM_Virtualizes_MSDN_TechNet_on_Hyper-V.docx

Blogs:

http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/default.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/

http://blogs.technet.com/jhoward/

http://blogs.technet.com/roblarson/

http://blogs.technet.com/virtualworld/

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/

http://blogs.technet.com/mapblog/

http://blogs.technet.com/stbnewsbytes/

Webcasts:

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032368894&CountryCode=US

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032372420&CountryCode=US

Discount for TechNet (all geos) and training info (No. CA)

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:45:51 GMT

Discount on TechNet Plus Subscriptions
The $100 discount for a TechNet Plus subscription ends on June 30th. Send me an email douggg@comcast.net for ordering details. At TechNet Plus subscription includes full-versions of all Microsoft business software (Microsoft desktop and server operating systems, Exchange, SQL, and Office software), for evaluation. This are no time limits/expiration dates on the TechNet Plus software. You will also receive 2 technical support calls or incident vouchers. For complete details of what' included visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788692.aspx Remember, the discount expires Monday June 30th.

Prometric/Microsoft testing
If you need to take a Prometric/Microsoft exam Pac IT Pros test center will be open at Diablo Valley College. ATC building, (by the Planetarium) in room ATC-108
Wednesday - June 25th from 5-10 pm and Monday June 30th from 5-10 pm. You can either pre-register on Prometric's web site or register on site.

Pass IT - Get Microsoft certified for the cost of the exam.
I have selected 3 dates for exam Microsoft MCTS Pass IT class:
Tuesday June 24th at Microsoft in San Francisco, noon until 2 pm.
Wednesday - June 25th at Diablo Valley College - Pleasant Hill (Walnut Creek) 5-10 pm - Class will be web cast - Testing from 5-10 pm.
Monday - June 30th at Diablo Valley College - Pleasant Hill (Walnut Creek) - 5-10 pm - Testing from 5-10 pm.
June 30th is the deadline for taking the exam.

Register now, so I can send you the study material.
http://www.pacitpros.org/component/chronocontact?chronoformname=Class.Registration.47

Class details:
I realize we are all working IT Professionals. If you are like me you know the material to pass the exam, but have no time to prepare for the exam or to take it. If you are pursuing any Microsoft IT Pro certification you will need to have passed this exam. As a fellow IT Pro I'm trying to make passing of this exam as painless and time efficient as possible for you. This is a pass the exam class for IT Pros, not an intro to Vista. If you've been supporting XP or Vista for over a year you'll be able to pass the exam with the class and studying 2-3 hours on your own.

The skills you are being testing on can be found at the bottom of this web page
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-620.mspx

The cost for the exam prep class, study guide and study material is just the cost of the two exam vouchers, (2 x $125) or $250. (This is NOT the Second Shot promotion, that offer ended last month.) The vouchers are good for the Vista or 70-620 exam only and expire on June 30th. The exam vouchers can be used any Prometric test center or used right after the class at our Prometric Test center. Pass the exam and Microsoft will reward you with a 40% discount on every Microsoft exam before June 30th.

To register for the class visit
http://www.pacitpros.org/component/chronocontact?chronoformname=Class.Registration.47

Have any questions, send me an email douggg@comcast.net or call at 925-258-6600.

Doug Spindler
Pacific IT Professionals
www.pacitpros.org

The Schutz twins are here!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:04:26 GMT

From Robyn:

Mike and I are ecstatic to announce that the Schutz twins, Bryce and Zachary, have finally arrived. They nearly made it to full term, and were 5lb 4oz and 5lb 15oz respectively.

I will miss seeing everyone at WPC but look forward to working together once again when I return in October.

Robyn

Do my SBS 2003 R2 CALs allow me to access a Windows Server 2008 server in my SBS Domain?

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:57:30 GMT

please ck out Eric Ligman's blog for this important article

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/06/23/8641477.aspx

Connected Partner - Connected Customer Live Meeting

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:53:02 GMT

http://cid-e0867f061b7c8e88.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Microsoft%20Partner%20Files

Here is link to the slide deck Kim Shek presented today. If you would like to listen to the Live Meeting email me at suzl@microsoft.com and I'll send you the invite.

Back from Vacation! Robyn Out!

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:04:54 GMT

Robyn is officially out on maternity leave until mid to late October. Please contact me for any PacWest items. I'm "officially" back from vacation and plowing through my emails. Response may be a little slow the next few days.

Big Easy is Retroactive!!

Thu, 29 May 2008 17:01:52 GMT

Please be sure to let your customers know - BE A HERO - that the Big Easy offer is retroactive to Feb 1, 2008!!

Partner Resources - Handy Guide

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:32:49 GMT

http://cid-e0867f061b7c8e88.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Microsoft%20Partner%20Files

looking for a spreadsheet listing all the different resources available to you as a partner, check out this link and click on CPE Resource Guide for Partners

SBS Services Rebate Extended

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:33:48 GMT

Go to http://www.sbsoffer.com/ for details on the SBS Services Rebate which has been extended to June 30, 2008.

Calling for Nominations (QPB)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:01:24 GMT

Outstanding achievement in Microsoft's partner community does not go unnoticed by the Northwest Area SMS&P Team. Winners are highlighted in a press release and in several local area publications. At each partner briefing we recognize excellence in service in the following categories:

Best Practices or Excellence in Competency
Customer Satisfaction & Experience
Marketing Excellence
Small Business Excellence
Teamwork
Winning on Value (Competitive wins)

To nominate your company, simply download the template in a Microsoft Word (http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/5/0/6504ce8b-9b23-48aa-aa8e-d0f73ecbae8a/Partner%20Award%20Submission%20Template.doc) or PDF Format (http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/5/0/6504ce8b-9b23-48aa-aa8e-d0f73ecbae8a/Partner%20Award%20Submission%20Template.pdf)

and email it to nwptr@microsoft.com at least two weeks prior to the QPB for consideration. The deadline for nomination is two weeks prior to the briefing near you, which are on the following dates:

April 29^-Boise, ID (co-hosted by ExecuTrain of Idaho)
Please click here to register.
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032374848&Culture=en-US
May 20- Bellevue, WA
Please click here to register.
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032374377&Culture=en-US
May 21- Portland, OR
Please click here to register.
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032374378&Culture=en-US
May 28- Mountain View, CA
Please click here to register.
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032374379&Culture=en-US

Don't skip Vista, Forrester study says

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:08:45 GMT

This story appeared on Network World at
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/041708-windows-vista-quick-migration-advised.html

Don't skip Vista, Forrester study says

Migrations should start sooner rather than later, research firm says

By John Fontana , Network World , 04/17/2008

New Skydrive location!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:22:31 GMT

can't find your way to my Skydrive? The name has been updated to better organize the files available.

http://cid-e0867f061b7c8e88.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Microsoft%20Partner%20Files

Find our Live Meeting recordings from Cold Calling 101, Managed Services, and Microsoft Incentives and Offers at this location!

Winery? North Bay/SF Bay Area

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:27:25 GMT

are you a platform partner who has some winery customers in the North Bay - if yes, please email me at suzl@microsoft.com.

Thank you

Important Worldwide Partner Conference Update

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:30:54 GMT

A few important WPC pieces of information:

· Alumni pricing ($1,395) is only available until Monday, 4/28.

· A partner can transfer the alumni registration rate to another individual in the same company by emailing the registration team with the new attendees name and their email alias. Contact CRG@WWPartnerConference@microsoft.crgevents.com

Looking for Enterprising Platform Partners

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:35:24 GMT

Are you interested in adding The Dynamics ERP Competency to your portfolio to better serve the needs of your clients? If your clients are interested in adding to or replacing their current financial management solution – please consider this. To learn more about the requirements of your firm please visit the Microsoft Dynamics Path to Partnership:

https://members.microsoft.com/partner/dynamicspathtopartnership/

If you are interested in becoming a Dynamics partner – OR if you have any clients who would be interested in having a business assessment meeting with one of our Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partners – please contact Roger below.

Please contact: Roger Demers

Channel Development Manager, Microsoft Corporation

West Region, US SMS&P

701-281-6688-W

701-261-1801-M

rdemers@microsoft.com

Worldwide Partner Conference Sign Up Info

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:08:00 GMT

You are cordially invited to the 2008 Worldwide Partner Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. This premier partner event will include keynote presentations from top Microsoft executives, breakout sessions and hands-on labs training led by Microsoft as well as industry experts along with global partner to partner networking opportunities and much more.

The Worldwide Partner Conference has sold out for three years in a row! By registering today, you can reserve your place at this event (avoiding waitlist) and directly impact the content presented at the conference. How? Once you have completed registration you will be able to use a session preference tool to view session abstracts and vote for the breakout sessions that are most appealing to you and your business (session preference tool closes early May). By incorporating your feedback about the sessions you want to see in Houston, we are destined to have the most collaborative Worldwide Partner Conference to date.

This is a "can't miss" event for any Microsoft partner who wants to compete and grow in today's marketplace! Register today!

What: The 2008 Worldwide Partner Conference

When: July 7^th – July 10^th

Where: George R. Brown Convention Center

1001 Avenida de las Americas

Houston, Texas 77010

Take the following steps to register:

Go to https://partner.microsoft.com/global/trainingevents/wwpartnerconference
Complete Registration
Use Session Preference Tool to select preferred sessions

If you have any questions about registration process or Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008, please contact the Registration Team using the information below.

Best Regards,

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Registration Team

Resources:

United States Telephone: (888) 538-8014
Worldwide Telephone: +1 (206) 695-1964
Worldwide Fax: +1 (206) 441-6369

E-mail: WWPartnerConference@microsoft.crgevents.com
Event Website: https://partner.microsoft.com/global/trainingevents/wwpartnerconference

Find the latest WPC news by subscribing to the new WPC RSS Feed

Business Favor - Regarding WWPC Attendees

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:21:42 GMT

Last year I nominated Joanne Black, author of "No More Cold Calling", to speak at the Denver WWPC. This year they have changed the nomination process, you, the partners will vote. Be sure to do this and if you're inclined, please vote for one of Joanne's sessions - they will be great!!

Topics are: The Truth About Your Sales Funnel, Fill Your Pipeline with Hot Prospects, and Recession-Proof Selling.

Thank you,

Suzanne Lavine