Microsoft TS2 Event - Cincinnati

Presenter: Peter

Server 2008 Compelling Features

• Powershell - scripted maintenance routines
• Hundreds of scripts already available
• All management features, including GUI, overlays for PS scripts
• MyITForum.com
• Deployment is based on image copy from media to drive.
• Assign Roles (server services) / Features (specific components)
• Server Core - extremely minimal install of the server OS / features
• Native IP v4 / v6 support
• Web Services
• IIS 7.0
• Modular component deployment
• Windows Sharepoint Services
• Extended supportability and feature sets
• Sharepoint today = email 7 years ago
• Windows Media Services
• Virtualization
• Presentation (Terminal Services)
• Server (Virtual Server 2005 / Windows Server Virtualization / HyperVisor)
• Desktop (Virtual PC)
• Application (SoftGrid)
• Allow multiple versions of applications on same machine with no compatibility issues
• Basically application publishing
• Full SoftGrid still available as Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack
• Hyper-V (BareBones VM Host)
• System Center  Virtual Server Manager
• Terminal Services Gateway
• Remote Web Workplace for the enterprise
• Tunnel RDP over HTTPs to an internal gateway that proxys the connection to the end point.
• Security
• Network Access Protection
• Make sure patches / av / security up to date before machines get to your corporate resources
• Read-only domain controllers
• Only passwords allowed are stored on remote server
• One way replication, read-only copy.
• Users must be added at source
• With bit-locker and RODC, secures remote access

Citrix - Meh...

Vista Service Pack 1

• Holy crap, what a bitch fest

MS Online Services

• Predictable IT costs
• Peace of mind for security and reliability
• Low run rates
• Partner Opportunities
• Expand reach
• new customers
• new segments
• new scenarios
• Grow revenue
• new services
• recurring revenut
• upsell to online suite
• Increase Velocity
• increase capacity
• scale
• increase margins

Small Business Server 2008

• SBS 2008 Premium requires 2 boxes.
• 1st MUST be 64-bit. 2nd can be 64 or 32-bit.
• Optionally, ignore 2nd OS license and install SQL on primary box (which must be 64-bit)
• SBS may support Hyper-V.
• 75 CAL limit (concurrent)
• Single home network only - single NIC only (teaming OK)
• IIS is no more. Will be rolled into ForeFront.

Links

• TS2 Event Site
• http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/acrossamerica
• https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/partneressentials

Notes

• Average IT Budget - 70% maintenance / 30% new purchases
• 80% closure rate for Competitive Sales Assistance
• Dynamics under same management structure as Office in Redmond. Increased integration down the road.

Action Items

• Find someone to partner with that can do VOIP. Integrating with MS technologies critical.
• Get "fantastic 40 templates"
• Check out the Big Easy Offer
• Check out Open License subscriptions - low monthly fee for licensing
• Check on Small Business Specialist smbizspecialist.com

 

"Other thoughts"

• When presenting, don't ask the question if you don't know what the answer is going to be. Presenter is 0 for 3 on rhetorical questions 10 minutes into the presentation.
• Definitely a high level of Asperger's Syndrome in the room. Small Business consultants are some serious geeks. "Well actually...."