http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog Comments on and within the UK SMB Community (Formerly 'UK SMB Girl') Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:27:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Testing... one, two... two, two... Hello again! Yes, I tried and failed miserably in resisting the urge to blog again. So, here I am, having spent a few months settling down over here in Sydney and now I'm plugging back in. I've caught up with a few of the usual suspects over here, ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/366 Thanks for reading! http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/365 A year or so ago, Microsoft released a 20-minute Guide to selling SBS which I seem to recall was only available in the UK. When it was announced on t'Internet, Microsoft Partners worldwide found it of use because the principals behind selling IT to a business is pretty much the ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/359 If you haven't done this before, it's well worth a go to help you find out a little more about yourself. Based on your individual responses, the MBTI instrument produces results to identify which of the sixteen different personality types best describes you. Your personality type represents your preferences in ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/358 I am a marketing collateral hoarder. I admit it. But it really comes in handy when I need an idea and I know I can find it in the pile of 'ideas' that sit on my desk. Most of the hard copies have been replaced by RSS feeds but there's ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/357 After installing a copy of Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 on their machine, a customer found that their version turned out to be something different. It seems that the machine was originally bought as an Office Ready PC (you can read about the programme here.) had been installed with a FPP (Fully Packaged ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/356 The Manchester SBS Group is up and kicking and due for a new launch on the 27th March.  Click here for more details on how to attend.  Question: Is it/ will it be a SBS user Group or is it like the rest in the UK and a Small Business Specialist/IT Pro Group?  Good ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/354 Dell Small Business 360 are hosting a free online course that will help you understand what's available to assist you with your small business data back up solutions. "Market research firm IDC reports that storage capacity is rising 60 percent per year and many small businesses need to upgrade their capacity ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/353 Become a Windows Mobile Specialist or a Windows Small Business Retail Mobile Specialist by studying a series of courses developed specifically around the features and benefits of Windows Mobile. Also available are online sales tools, and mobile device news. Very useful if you want to train a new recruit up on ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/352 I presented yesterday at my penultimate presentation in Farnham which was a lot of fun. Lots of questions were asked, so here's some answers to some of those asked. Not sure what version of Microsoft Office you have? Open up any of your Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc...), click on ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/350 I was having a chat with Gareth today who helps run the Kent Group and over the last few months, they've really taken some serious steps towards achieving a respected and professional organisation that will help support small businesses in the local region. The Kent gang didn't do this overnight, it's ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/347 In the last few weeks before I leave, I want to make sure that one of the products that underpins the Small Business Community is understood properly by the Channel. I have had numerous meetings with the server teams at Microsoft to help understand where SBS stands in their market and how ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/346 For many years now, companies have been using short videos to help convey a message to their audience. It may be to announce a company's 'new look' or get a feel for what the company is about. I like watching these types of videos - I get to understand what I am ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/345 There has been shed loads of information out there regarding this Wednesday's launch of Windows Server 2008. Here are to name but a few: Wayne Small's Blog (more information on Wayne can be found here) Susan Bradley's Blog (more information on Susan can be found here) Windows Server Division Weblog David Overton's Blog Matt McSpirit's Blog (particular ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/344 I've posted before on the Microsoft Action Pack but a Partner contacted me recently to get clarification on who is allowed to apply and use them. Firstly, what is a Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS)? It is a kit that contains new software releases, as well as updated sales and marketing materials ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/342 Mark Russinovich will be taking a live interactive discussion on adopting Windows Vista into a desktop infrastructure, and will discuss what Windows Vista SP1 means for you. You can submit questions during the event or in advance to vrtable@microsoft.com where a panel of experienced professionals (including members from the Windows product team) ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/339 A few things came up today which I wanted to post as reference: Microsoft Office Accounting I caught up with the product manager Gareth Arnold to find out what's going on with regards to launching the product through the channel. It looks like boxed copies will be made available at late March/early ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/338 With the recent announcements of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, they'll be plenty of people swayed towards the bright lights of something new and shiney. However, the launch is expected in the second half of 2008, there's plenty of time to look to what is currently available and understand ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/336 Usually when I post it's because I've seen something at work or on my travels that motivates me to pass on the information or share an idea or two with you. Starting a post like this one is a little trickier because it's got less to do with work and more ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/335 Each presentation I take as part of these events always comes with a few surprises. Many are one-woman-bands who are looking to for inspiration and answers on how and where to start in business. This time, there were a fair few who were comfortable with IT but still, and worryingly, ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/333 Catch a load of some recent screenshots of what the new version of Windows will look like. Long Zheng makes some comments on these latest images of Windows 7 M1. Windows 7 Video Wikipedia Article When I heard about Windows 7 (Codename 'Vienna') I heard it was going to have a pretty different interface ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/332 The spring 2008 sessions of the 'What's stopping you?' event has kicked off again starting in Crawley last week. Again, another great audience who were keen and kept the presentation interactive (yesss!). Already, I have met plenty of businesses who need help from local Small Business Specialists and so it's been ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/329 Today was a really rubbish day. Because of the stupidity of some strangers, something I depend on was damaged and as well as feeling pretty violated I had to spend the day sorting out a problem that took a matter of seconds to cause. Here's what I woke up to this ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/325 Do you want to add Windows Mobile devices to your network? Is your network based either on the Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS) server software with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or on Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2? If so, you can use the step-by-step instructions in this ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/324 Part 1: http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/238  The articles below are specific to Windows Vista Service Pack 1. You can use this information to evaluate and deploy Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Overview of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Notable Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Enterprise Guidance for Application Compatibility Testing and Windows Vista SP1 Release ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/322 Like Steve, I attended one of Microsoft's CRM launch events today and found out something interesting: If you have Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Small Business Edition and want to upgrade to version 4.0, there is no equivalent edition as such. There are three editions within the CRM 4.0 family: Workgroup server - includes ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/320 A few bloggers (including Andy and myself) posted their thoughts about the level of awareness concerning what a Microsoft Small Business Specialist is. Hats off to Emma Cockburn, Jennifer Brinton and the web team at Microsoft for listening to the feedback from there and from the Small Business Roundtable last ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/318 Charles Van Heusen recently posted the latest information on Small Business Server. Check it out here. Also, David Mackie talks about the practicalities of deploying SBS 'Cougar' in the real world and questions the integration of System Centre Essentials 2007 - well worth a read. Thinking of migrating from SBS 2000/2003 to ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/317 If you're a Microsoft Small Business Specialist, you can now download the most up to date logo from here. http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/316 Here's a few more UK Community bloggers to add to your RSS feeds if you're interested. More proof that the UK flag is flying high: Dave Whyte from 101 Digital Services Paul Murana from Accendo Solutions Dave Baker from DS Baker IT Good going guys! :) http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/315 Microsoft have extended the SBS Offer I previously posted about now until the end of March 2008. The offer covers both OEM and BIOS locked options of SBS. http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/314 Microsoft Office Running Start Tool has been released to serve as a handy shortcut to vital questions and resources so you and your colleagues can get information regarding Office 2007 to help themselves. The tool is available to anyone who is using the Microsoft 2007 Office System. The downloadable SharePoint and ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/312 Chatting with a few UK Partners last week about whether they are installing Vista with positive results, many said they were waiting for SP1  or they (or their customers) were "stubbornly sticking to XP" or have "actually asked for downgrade". In balance, I got a large number of Partners who have successfully installed Vista and are ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/311 Since 6th December 2007,  the Microsoft eOpen website provides those with Volume license agreements access to product downloads and purchase of Media Kits. The thinking behind this is to reduce the deployment lead-time (available 24/7 for downloading and ordering) as well as fulfilment costs. This means that you won't need to ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/310 "For organisations considering the deployment of either Windows Vista or the 2007 Office system - or both, this interactive training session has been specially designed for Technical decision makers, IT implementers and Infrastructure architects, to show how straight-forward  deploying these technologies can be. The session will update participants on the proven ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/309 "We now have Exchange 2007 and AD installed and I have been asked to look at Winfax. I think Winfax is quite old now and think that Exchange will allow for faxing of some kind? Do you know much about fax and Exchange and how easy/ good a system there ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/308 Hat doft (or curtsey) to Tim for this one. I've still not gotten into Twitter despite everyone else blogging and raving about it. But how cool is this app for all those Twitterers and Twitter wanna-be's? Think I might have to check it out... ... and yes I can see the Facebook logo in the ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/307 "...by installing Office 2003 Service Pack 3, the ability to open and save older legacy file formats will be blocked." More on this on Viral's post. Office 2003 SP3 - The Facts and Fiction http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/306 Mr. Upcroft is back up and kicking and looking for feedback on how Aussie Partners would like to see Centro Windows Essential Business Server planned and launched. Click here read his message. Maybe he'll finally start blogging? Aussie Partners, be nice to him as he's sorely missed over here in the ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/305 It's not something that's on my wish list to Father Christmas but I'll be interested to know if there is a Tech Guarantee programme due to be introduced for SBS 2003 and Windows Server 2003. Something like this would help get customers using great technology now without them choosing to tread ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/304 Some of the feedback from Partners who attending the Small Business Forum last month was that although OEM was the license of choice for now, there was a clear willingness to want to understand how to better adopt volume licensing. It's not always the easiest to understand and those who have ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/303 Eileen posted recently about one of the latest Microsoft Partner Marketing promotions that is available to Partners now.   Here's the deal: You can order 200 FREE postcards or 1,000 FREE emails which you can personalise with your logo and contact details to your target customers or prospects with this campaign. If you ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/302 Agenda 09:30 - Registration 10:00 - CRM Market Update - Brad Wilson General Manager Dynamics CRM Worldwide 10:40 - Break 11:00 - What's new in CRM 4.0 - Jason Nash & Reuben Krippner 12:00 - Showcase customer evidence 12:30 - The Power of Choice - Hosting with CRM 4.0 13:00 - Lunch and ISV Partner solution networking 14:00 - ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/301 Did you know Dell promotes themselves in the US Small Business Community? There have been some recent changes close to home in the UK so it will be interesting to see how our Community responds in the New Year. Now whatever you feel about Dell, I like the fact that they are ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/300 Lots if you've subscribed to a fair number of Microsoft blogs! Well here's one more. The Service Pack (SP) will now form part of your automatic updates, but for those who have disabled this and want your own copy to do with what you will, here's the direct download link. Don't ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/298 Mike highlighted this one and because lots of you fedback to me that you want to understand the opportunities regarding security on products such as Exchange or SharePoint, I thought you might want to download it and check it out for yourself. The toolkit includes nine VMs which demo four scenarios: Secure ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/297 ... is when others do it for you. The only way I'll prove it is if you click on the link at the bottom of this page once you've read my post... Find something that involves your target market and reward them; create a buzz, a bit of spin, and something ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/296 It's been nearly a month since I read what I consider to be one of the most powerful posts to come from one of who I consider to be a very respected peer and good friend. Ironically, it was published in response to a post that came from another respected ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/293 I found a good post from Moloy Tandon regarding how you can license Microsoft Small Business Server 2003. One of the challenges we are facing is how we can change people's perception of how to license SBS (and I don't mean everyone to go to volume licensing on server OS). On ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/291 Here is the situation regarding Microsoft Office Accounting so far in the UK... Currently the product is only available from Microsoft as a download in three different versions  (www.msofficeaccounting.co.uk): Express -which is a free version available to anyone to download for free Professional - 60-day free trial or £149.99 (exc. VAT) for a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/292 Lots of vendors like to think of their mobile technology in the same way Martini promoted their drink; 'Any time, any place, anywhere' Partners usually cringe when vendors go bounding off to end-users saying how this is always the case (we'll forget that in some areas of the world there isn't a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/290 Matt Hester has created a screencast to show you the built-in monitoring tools within WS2008 that help find out who is having a nose into your Terminal Services gateway. Also, How the TS gateway in the TS server role of WS2008 allows authorised remote users to connect to TS resources without a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/289 David has posted on a whole series of nationwide free developer events for customers and Partners. More information on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) can be found here. Microsoft supports more than 500 developer user groups around the World. Find out more about Developer User Groups and online communities in the UK. Also check ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/288 I found another blog feed which I think others who need some marketing inspiration can sign up for. Mike Heald keeps an eye on the Aussie Partners in this World but the messages are relevant to all of us. Add him to your RSS feeds and you'll see what I mean! p.s. Mike, ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/287 Note: I'm updating this page regularly as I get new information so keep an eye on it...  Thanks to everyone who attended the Small Business Forum last Thursday, we had a great turnout and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I'm still wading through all the emails that I've received so ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/286 After popping back to visit the parents at the weekend we decided to drop into BlueWater to get some lunch. I wouldn't normally suggest going to a huge shopping centre in a dug out chalk pit weeks before Christmas but I wanted to go and have a look at a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/285 Thanks to everyone who let me know my blog fell over temporarily. Obviously the Small Business Forum that took place on Thursday overwhelmed it a bit too much so I've coaxed it back into action with a bit of TLC as well as a version upgrade. Phew! http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/284 Hello, Just a personal post to say that I am getting excited. With only a matter of days to go until our Small Business Forum on Thursday I'm hoping everyone remembers to turn up. Looking at the attendee list we have 170 delegates attending and I've asked lots of people from ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/283 I've finally discovered what FUD means. It wasn't top of my list of things to do but as I was browsing my blog feeds one of the posts spelt it out for me. F = Fear U = Uncertainty D = Doubt I don't like FUD, it's something I hate being a prisoner of ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/282 I've had a slim yellow book in my bag which talks about getting good people to stay since the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference back in Boston (2006!) which I got when I sat in on a seminar with my friend Matt. Finally, a few days ago I got to reading it and ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/280 Some years ago, I joined my parents out in Chicago on the last leg of their holiday. I'd never been there before so I was particularly fascinated (and slightly disturbed?!) by the American Girl shop - we don't have anything like that in the UK and if we did I would ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/281 I've been fortunate to have a job which allows me to move up and down the Channel from the end-user right up to those in control at vendor level such as Microsoft, HP, and Symantec. I get the opportunity to engage with lots of different people and spread what, when ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/278 I was writing another post when I realised that I was going on a lot about Business Contact Manager. I've spoken to a few hundred people in the last few weeks and the pens get scribbling away when I tell them all about something that they didn't know they had. ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/279 Not long to go until the Small Business Partner Community gets to see what Westcoast are up to with regards to supporting this market. Hopefully you'll see us being perfect swans (calm and graceful on top but paddling like billio underneath) as we present six workshops based around customer and ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/277 For those who have already trialled the software or are interested in finding out more about HP's version of Microsoft Home Server, you can check out some live online demonstrations to help understand it better. Dates, times, and experts: Thursday November 8th 4pm-5pm (PT) Rick Doherty Friday November 9th 1pm-2pm (PT) Rob Enderle Tuesday ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/276 I was on the way up to Nottingham last week when I listened to an interesting article on Radio 4. It talks about the 'tyranny of choice' and is an interesting example of how large companies such as Asda have realised that having 88 different types of butter on the ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/275 Looking through the delegate sign-up list for the Small Business Forum there are lots of questions around licensing, particularly volume licensing. Thanks to those who have submitted questions, I'm collating them and getting answers ready for the event. I could probably put a whole day together just to focus on ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/274 Did you know that it's easier to peel a banana from the bottom up? Never tried? So how do you know whether what you've been doing up until now is the easiest way of doing it? ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/273 I attended the UK & Ireland MVP Open Day today which was really interesting. To sit in a room amongst a group of passionate people from lots of different backgrounds and professions was pretty impressive and quietly I felt very overwhelmed. What inspired me the most was a presentation on ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/272 The Mr. Busy Campaign will be bidding SBSCers in UK and Ireland a hurried goodbye as he gets replaced by three new campaigns. Here's what the Mr. Busy campaign achieved: 101 Partners took part in the campaign within five weeks 24,000 end users were reached 98% of Partners told Microsoft that they would like ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/271 Great news! Microsoft Corp. have finally allowed one of the greatest tools that bridges the gap between the techies and the sales teams. Vijay announced it on his blog after the much anticipated Worldwide SBSC PALs meeting. Thank you to Nigel Postings and Chris Parkes for taking the feedback the Community has been generating ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/270 Something that Microsoft discussed in the Community event today was a programme that has been developed to support local businesses with the assistance of Irish SBSCers. About the programme: "With substantial financial support available through FÁS, and provision of the programme by industry leading business training and technology consultants, delivered on-site in ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/269 Sitting in Microsoft Ireland's ISV and SBSC Community day having a really good chat with some fantastic Partners. The presentations so far have been really interesting and it'll be my job to tie it all together at the end of the day. What's interesting for me is that this event has ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/268   I'm in Glasgow airport after another good day with Partners and Microsoft and I've just popped into the book shop to browse the shelves. I have a bad habit of buying books and not reading them until some months later. Reminds me of those delegates who go home from events ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/267 I've sat on this post for a while in various forms and my opinions and observations welcome your comments because I know that I am not alone in this way of thinking. Note: when I say SBSC, I mean 'Small Business Specialist Certification'. As many of you know (both UK and WW), ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/266 There are a series of one-day events running from November until March 2007 specifically for women wanting to find out more about working for yourself. Although I'm not keen on women-only events (are men not allowed to know the same things as us?), I know from presenting at previous events ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/265 Certain you installed SBS 2003 correctly? Would like an extra pair of hands to double check on your behalf? Why not download a copy of the SBS 2003 Best Practices Analyzer which examines the server and collects configuration information from many sources including: Active Directory Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Registry Metabase After running the program, you'll ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/264 Vijay Singh and Gareth Brown are our SBSC PALs for the UK. They have a worldwide SBSC PAL meeting coming up at the end of the month (24th) so if you have a something you would like say or comment on about the Microsoft SBSC Programme then get your comments ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/263 Three Small Business Server webinars have been arranged to cover some of the topics Partners have been asking for. These are LiveMeetings so you can combine it with your day job so hopefully you can manage to fit at least one in. The Small Business Server OEM pre-installation kit. Agenda: Automate the build ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/262 One of the latest offers to appear from Microsoft which is available to all Gold, Certified, and Registered Partners who are signed up to the Microsoft Action Pack Programme or currently enrolled in Empower for ISVs. Usually, in order to qualify, you have to pay to take the 70-282 exam ('Design, ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/261 I had a chat with a new friend of mine within Microsoft at the weekend and we got onto the topic of blogging. We were deciding whether blogging was always appropriate and what motivates someone to start one. Within my presentation of 'Daring to be different' I talk about how blogging has ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/260 Bill Wells may have left working for a Small Business Specialist but he's still very proactive in the Community. He's teamed up with Jonathan Cox of the Pavey Group to talk about underwriting your business to manage risk better. What's more, Ed Probert will be back on board to answer ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/259 Get yourself booked onto our Small Business Forum which takes place on November 29th at Microsoft's Thames Valley Campus. Spaces are limited (unless you're happy to sit on laps?!) so get yourself booked on now. First come, first served. Full details are available by clicking here. We'll be updating it with a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/258 On the whole, another good day today for Microsoft's 'On the Road' events. I would say that the Thames Valley audience was far more animated despite London's question about downgrade rights (hot topic!) cropping up again. Good to see that the SBSC meeting prior to the main event was well ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/257 I went along to Microsoft's Cardinal Place today to sit in with a few familar faces (you know who you are!) and listen to the team talk about a number of OEM topics such as Windows Server 2008, Office Ready PC, and combatting illegal licensing. One of the Partners wanted to ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/256 About time too as well! A training and assessment requirement will take effect from November 30th 2007 for new and renewing subscribers. If you are going to be one of these, then you will be required to take any Microsoft e-Learning course and then pass its associated assessment with a minimum score ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/255 Here's a heads up to all Microsoft Partners thinking about licensing SBS 2003 so that you can save 15% on Windows SBS 2003 R2 (standard edition) for you and your clients (should you wish!). Offer: Save 15% on Windows SBS 2003 R2 Standard Edition License types: L only, L+SA Offer descriptions: Partners get ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/254 Promotion ends: 31 December 2007 Programme: OV Subscription Up-to-Date Discount (UTD) is a 50 per cent discount in OV Subscription for the first year invoice for any licence for the current (N) or previous (N-1) version of the selected Small Business or Professional Desktop platform products. For the OVS N-3 promo eligibility ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/251 Uses for OneNote #1342: OneNote and Powershell. Thanks to finally sitting down with Viral last night over some questionable nachos for reminding me to read his blog where I found the link. Had to show you guys, you know how much I love OneNote. http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/250 The Partner Outreach Team (headed up by another pro-community Partner David Houston) will be holding their first online event for those wishing to attend. The Agenda: Wayne Small - Patch Management (from a business & technical perspective) Mark Mulvany - Windows Mobile and Exchange for the Small Business Susanne Dansey (that's me!) - Daring ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/249 Dave posted on the latest online SBS 2003 R2 training that will take place October/November from the Microsoft team. Two things to remember if you sign up: If you sign up, make sure you turn up - in my experience, if there is a limited capacity i.e. 50 and only 25 attend, ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/248 Built for resellers to help drive their businesses and would probably be a good one for Microsoft Small Business Specialists to join in on. Between now and the end of 2007, every copy of Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 sold will allow you to choose from one of the following: Claim ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/247 Here's a heads up on what's going on in the in the land of Microsoft and where they'll be whilst on the road: Microsoft Technical Roadshow for the Channel Technical level: 200 Subjects covered: Vista, Office, Windows Server, Centro, Small Business Server Small Business Specialist pre-session events are available on the following dates: Wednesday 10th ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/246 If you caught any of the World Cup rugby over the last week and sat through the ad breaks, you may have been treated to Cadbury's new advertising campaign. It's not what you would typically associate with the company and is aimed cleverly at who they perceive will be watching the ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/245 I've decided, 'thank you' and 'sorry' are expensive words... During my run today, I spent time thinking about the week ahead and what I needed to do. Taking time out on my own to run or simply sit by the river gives me my space to focus and clear down a ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/244 I deleted my Facebook account and the rugby is on all day. Going for a run and I'll be back to post on a few ideas I've had this weekend later. :) http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/243 My colleague Cat from our Licensing Team came along to listen to me present last night and see what the London IT Pro Group was all about. Rather than take a back seat, the Group was good enough to get her involved and so the discussion of why is licensing ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/242 Ed Probert has talked about it before at the Small Business Symposium and recently broadcasted on LiveMeeting with Bill Wells back in July. Alex Stanier talked last night at the London IT Pro Group about an Insurance policy with the rest of the Group and I know other Partners have been ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/241 In the last few days I've had some good meetings. Interestingly, both featured DemoShowcase which is a set of 24 predefined customer scenarios which you can customise in a virtual machine environment. After chatting to the London IT Pro Group, I showed them how easy it is to talk about how five ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/240 On Tuesday (28/08/07), Microsoft announced the plans for the third service pack (SP3) for Windows XP as a roll up of all the hot fixes and patches including security updates, out of band releases, and hotfixes. This is standard practice to release a service pack as a release nears end-of-life. There are no new ... http://www.uksmbgirl.co.uk/blog/archives/239