Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – November week 3

We’ll start this week with a great article and interview about the new storage features in Windows 8 and how they impact on Hyper-V 3, so if you want to find out more about VHDx files, Storage Pools and Spaces and how to use them to Cluster Hyper-V virtual machines click here.

Last week I blogged about the release of System Centre Service Manger 2012 Beta, there are some really cool new capabilities that are available, specifically the new Service Catalog and Service Request Management feature that Microsoft started talking about and showing examples of last year.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – November week 1

We’ll start with System Centre Configuration Manager 2012 and the announcement of the Release Candidate to find out more and download click here. For really useful information about installing the release candidate, adding roles, configuring discovery, boundaries and client settings check this blog out.  I’ve mentioned it on this blog more than once, but one of the key changes to Configuration Manager 2012 is how software can be delivered and the whole idea of the process being user centric.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – October

System Centre Virtual Machine 2012 is a fantastic addition to the System Center suite of products for managing your virtualised infrastructure. There is a new interface and large number of new features for managing virtual machines, applications, and your cloud environments. Check out the basics in this video and watch out for a deep dive in the future.

One of the key changes to System Centre Configuration Manager 2012 is how software delivery will be provisioned. This change will see User Centric Application deployment, so we really need to start thinking user first. This is more than just moving are targeting from devices to users to find out more have a look at this article.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – October

How well do you know your Private Cloud, over on the Microsoft Virtual Academy you can take self-assessments covering the full cycle from understanding, planning and managing Microsoft private cloud offerings this will earn you Academy points and improve your ranking. Sticking with Private Cloud have you ever tried to get the Cloud concept over to a non-technical person, if so this should prove helpful.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – October

We’ll start this week with news that Microsoft has launched a new hub for all Private Cloud architectural resources, so if you’re looking for all things Private Cloud this would be the place to start looking.

A couple of upcoming events to tell you about, next week at 16:00 on the 13th of October Microsoft are delivering a webinar on “How Partners Can Make Money Selling Microsoft Private Cloud Solutions” to register click here and on the 19^th and 20^th of October Microsoft will be presenting “Journey to the Cloud” at this years’ IP EXPO – The UK’s Largest Enterprise IT Event where IP Networks, Virtualization, Cloud, Wireless, Storage and Security work together. For more information check this out.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update – September

Whilst doing a demo of Systems Centre Service Manager this week a question came up that about showing the primary user of a computer that has certain software installed. I was pretty sure you could create a view to do this but had to look it up, and here is the result. Staying with Service Manager I also came across this useful PowerShell script to auto close resolved incidents have a look at this article for the details.

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Microsoft Datacentre Security & Management Update August 1

We’ll start this week with Windows 8 and the new version of Hyper-V this article takes you through some screen dumps but the link at the end allows you to watch the video if you want.

How good is your knowledge on Microsoft Private Cloud, well if you fancy winning a X-Box 360 for answering 6 questions click here. Whilst were talking private cloud Microsoft have launched a new website, It’s a comprehensive source for information relating to private cloud and virtualisation solutions, as well as other solutions based on Windows Server, System Center and Forefront.

If like me you’ve downloaded the beta of Systems Centre Virtual Machine Manager 2012 you will find this site useful for the supporting documentation.

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Tech Select event was well received

Our recent Microsoft Tech Select event at Newbury Racecourse was very well received with everyone who attended agreeing that what they learnt on the day will help them in their everyday activities. The session gave resellers the opportunity to hear about the latest developments around the Microsoft Partner Network and the enhancements we have been making to the Tech Select programme itself. They also took away vouchers that are redeemable for approved Microsoft courses with Q&A Training, which will help them to further advance their accreditation.

Tech Select is a strategic initiative that bridges the gap between vendor development programmes and your business needs. It enables you to maximise the impact of vendor investments in channel development so that you benefit directly from the time and effort you put into increasing your knowledge and taking products to market. It helps you to sharpen your competitive edge and accelerate profitable growth. If you’d like to know more about the Microsoft Tech Select programme – or any of our other Tech Select initiatives – please contact the Tech Select team by emailing techselect@computer2000.co.uk.