Webcast – TS2 WOW: Advanced WSS Customization in SBS

Title: TS2 Wednesday on the Web: Advanced WSS Customization in SBS
Event Date: 11/23/2005
Presenter: Ron Grattopp
Event Time: 3:00 PM Eastern, USA & Canada (DST) = GMT – 05:00
Duration: 60 minutes

Description: Windows Sharepoint Services is one of the key value adds in SBS. Join Ron and learn from Mike Cocanower, President of IT Synergy in Phoenix, a proven expert (and SBS MVP) how you can customize this feature to enhance your revenue opportunities and customer sat. This is a guaranteed money maker.

Register: http://www.msreadiness.com/wscart.asp?eid=3234

KB Article 906798 – Installing WSUS on OEM SBS

You cannot install Windows Server Update Services 2.0 on a computer that is running an original equipment manufacturer version of Windows Small Business Server 2003

Article ID: 906798
Last Review: October 27, 2005
Revision: 1.1

SYMPTOMS
You cannot install Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 2.0 on a computer that is running an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003.

CAUSE
This problem occurs because the mini-setup for the OEM version of Windows Small Business Server 2003 adds the domain name in lowercase letters instead of in uppercase letters.

RESOLUTION
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;906798

APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition

Microsoft Partner Managed Services Handbook

It’s finally here!

Microsoft Partner Handbook – Implementing a Comprehensive Managed Services Solution
Version: 1.0
Date Published: 10/26/2005
Download size: 871 KB
Pages: 96
Download URL: Download here

Table of contents excerpt:

• Introduction to Managed Services
• Deciding to Build a Comprehensive Managed Services Offering
• Developing an Operations Process for a Comprehensive Managed Services Offering
• Developing a Comprehensive Managed Services Marketing Plan
• Selling the Comprehensive Managed Services Marketing Plan
• Building the Comprehensive Managed Services Process
• Providing Comprehensive Managed Services Support

Free VMware Player

Most folks have heard of VMware and Virtual PCs, and if you’ve ever been to a Microsoft event or webcast, no doubt you’ve seen them in action. But a lot of people have never tried them out. So if the cost of VMware of Virtual PC has been holding you back from getting your virtual learn on, now you have no excuse:

Free VMware Player
Run any virtual machine on a Windows or Linux PC
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
Release date: 10/19/2005
Download size: 28MB (Windows version)

• Run any virtual machine. Run virtual machines created by VMware Workstation, GSX Server or ESX Server. VMware Player also supports Microsoft virtual machines and Symantec LiveState Recovery disk formats. (Woo-hoo!!)
• Access host PC devices. Use host CD/DVD drives, network adapters, and plug-and-play USB devices. (USB! Sweet!!)
• Copy and paste. Copy text and files between the virtual machine and the host PC.
  Drag and drop. Drag and drop files between a Windows host PC and a Windows virtual machine.
• Multiple networking options. Virtual machines can share or obtain new IP addresses or be isolated from the network and host.
• 32- and 64-bit host and guest operating system support. Run a wide variety of virtual machines containing 32- and 64-bit operating systems simultaneously on the same physical PC. Compatible 64-bit guest operating systems include select Microsoft Windows, Red Hat, SUSE, and FreeBSD distributions.
• Adjustable memory. Tune virtual machine memory for optimal performance.
• Configurable shutdown. Power down or suspend the virtual machine when closing VMware Player.

It’s worth the download for the USB support alone!!

Office 2003 Add-in – Outlook Calendar Views

The Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Calendar Views Add-in makes it easy for you to view your Outlook Calendar appointments through a filter that is based on Outlook labels and categories.

For example, you can create a view that shows you only the appointments on your calendar that are labeled Must Attend, or are categorized as Important. You add filters by using the Calendar Views toolbar, which opens in your Outlook Calendar after you install the add-in.

Note: This add-in is for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 only.

File Name: OCVSetup.msi
Version: 1.0
Date Published: 10/10/2005
Language: English
Download Size: 735 KB
Download URL: Download it here

Webcast – The Road to Partner Business Success is Paved with SBS

If you weren’t able to attend SMB Nation, then you missed some pretty awesome content. Fortunately, our buddy Ron Grattopp has another great webcast lined up for Microsoft Partners that brings some of that world-class content right to you!

Title: TS2 Wednesdays on the Web: The Road to Partner Business Success is Paved with SBS
Event Date: Wednesday 10/26/2005
Presenter: Ron Grattopp
Event Time: 3:00 PM Eastern, USA & Canada (GMT – 05:00)
Duration: 60 minutes
Registration URL: http://www.msreadiness.com/wscart.asp?eid=3056

Description: Come hear and learn from the “pros” (i.e. founders of 3 highly successful partner businesses) how you can – Attract new small business customers and deepen existing customer relationships with SBS 2003 – Build a successful business around SBS 2003 by providing a complete, affordable network solution and value-added, managed services – Leverage valuable resources from the Microsoft Partner Program to ensure your success. They will share specific strategies that you can leverage as you build your business and share other “real world” tips on what to do and not do to enhance your chances of success.

Enterprise IT Pros Finally Get A SBS Clue

“Wizards??? We don’t need no steenkin’ wizards!” says the Enterprise IT pro when first faced with SBS. And though the SBSer’s always yell “Use the wizards”, they never listen, do they kids? Nope.

Well, today Microsoft finally provided the definitive SBS whitepaper for Enterprise IT Pros:
“Introduction to Windows Small Business Server 2003 for Enterprise IT Pros”
Download here: SBSITPRO.doc (441KB, 30 pages)

To quote Microsoft, “If you are an Enterprise IT Pro who is installing or supporting Windows SBS 2003 for the first time or who just wants to know more about it, this paper is for you! This paper begins with a brief survey of the Windows SBS 2003 design philosophy. It then continues with the Top 10 must-know facts that Enterprise IT Pros unfamiliar with Windows SBS often miss, it highlights the Top 10 cool features of Windows SBS, and then it concludes with a quick look at some of the standard scenarios that you’re likely to find in many Windows SBS installations.”

‘Bout time’ says I. 🙂