Office Communications Server - Terry Stein - It's an IW World, and I'm Just Living In It!

8/12/2008

Hmmmm...the best job at Microsoft? Interesting question because there are just so many of them. One of the things that I most enjoy about working at Microsoft centers around impact.

Remember when you were growing up and people would ask what you want to be when you grow up? Many of us would reply with answers that amounted to vocations that put us in a position to help other people, or maybe even save the world. In my mind, there's nothing better for me than being in a position at a company that allows me to make a difference in people's lives; to do something that has visible impact into the way others live.

Microsoft provides so many of these types of opportunities; the chance to make a difference in someone's life...the opportunity to change the world!

I'm lucky enough to be in such a position. About 2 weeks ago, I moved into a new role on my existing team that will allow me to work with a technology that is relatively new for Microsoft, rapidly changing in the industry, and will change people's lives.

It's the world of unified communications, or UC, as some people call it. I get the opportunity to work with Microsoft partners, not just in Heartland Area as in the past, but across the entire 18-state Central Region.

I'm going to help our partners learn how to sell and deliver our UC solutions, so that we have the ability take this new technology to every customer. Yes, it will change lives for those who embrace it.

You've probably seen the demonstrations by now where we allow people to easily communicate with others through either instant message, video or audio call, or generating multiple party conferences all at the click of a couple buttons. It's very cool stuff!

So, you're wondering how it plays out as a business benefit? Imagine if you could reduce your travel time to other offices for meetings because you can now video conference using a simple webcam, microphone, and an Internet connection. If you've checked the price of airfare lately, you'll know that it wouldn't take long at all to pay for the solution.

How about easier communications? Most people have multiple phones, multiple e-mail address, and so on. I have one Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phone number that people can reach me on because when that number rings, it simultaneously rings my work phone and my mobile phone. I answer whichever is more convenient. If I don't answer, the call goes to voice mail, which then lands in my E-mail inbox and I can listen to the voice mail later or forward it to another colleague to listen to.

Do you spend time on your laptop at home sitting on the coach so that you can be in the same room as your family...and you count it as "quality time"? Maybe that happens because you're behind on e-mail from being on the road all day, or in meetings. I take advantage of speech enabled messaging by calling my e-mail server and having it read my e-mail to me over the phone while I'm commuting to and from the office. I can reply, forward, or delete the message using voice commands and never take my hands or eyes off the task of driving.

It's going to be fun...and yes, I have the best job at Microsoft.

Posted at 12:51 PM by e58b593761c46a209d7d0846408e67d6 | Category: Exchange ; Office Communications Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

5/21/2008

So You Wanna Build a UC Practice?

Last Wednesday, I had the honor of presenting to the partners in South Central about our Unified Communications solutions. I'm super excited about the direction that we're headed with our Unified Communications solution, and I've spent the better part of the last 12 months working with many of the partners in the Heartland Area to help them get OCS deployed in their environment so they can better understand the value of the solution.

I have a very strong belief that it's much easier to articulate the value of a solution if you work with it regularly. When you understand how it benefits you, your story to the customer is much more credible.

If you're interested in learning more about Microsoft's UC solution, the webcast is available on-demand here.

Posted at 11:16 AM by NORTHAMERICA\terrys | Category: Office Communications Server; Selling IW to Customers | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

5/20/2008

Upcoming Partner Competency Changes

You've probably heard that some changes are coming soon regarding competencies and specializations within the Microsoft Partner Program. These changes are effective beginning May 30th, 2008. There are lots of details on the partner portal by clicking here, but here are some of the high level details.

Business Intelligence, Unified Communications, and Hosting Solutions are now breaking out into their own competencies.

Business Intelligence

The new competency consists of the Business Intelligence Platform specialization (currently the Business Intelligence specialization within the Microsoft Data Management Solutions competency) and the Performance Management specialization (currently within the Microsoft Information Worker Solutions competency).

Your transition to the new Business Intelligence competency will happen automatically. The next time you sign in to the Microsoft Partner Program after May 30, 2008, your membership status will reflect the changes. If you are active in the Performance Management specialization, you will be listed as active in the Performance Management specialization within the Business Intelligence competency. And if you’re active in the Business Intelligence specialization, you’ll be listed as active in the Business Intelligence Platform specialization within the Business Intelligence competency.

Business Intelligence Platform and Performance Managements are the two specializations under the Business Intelligence competency

Since Performance Management specialization is moving away from the Information Worker Competency, you will maintain your IW Competency through your anniversary date if this was your only specialization in IW. If you have other IW specializations, you will continue to maintain your IW competency as long as those specializations are maintained.

There are no new or additional exams required to obtain the Business Intelligence competency.

Unified Communications

Unified Communications is the second new competency being added to the MSPP. this competency is designed to position partners to better take advantage of one of the most exciting and growing markets today and take advantage of one of Microsoft’s most important areas of investment.

The new competency provides partners with the necessary technical, marketing, and sales resources to develop and recognize expertise in streamlining communications through the Microsoft unified communications technologies, including Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Office Communications Server.

With Microsoft® unified communications technologies, you can deliver integrated, intuitive solutions that combine email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging (IM), and audio, video, and Web conferencing. All built around people, not technology.

The Unified Communications Solutions competency will include three specializations:

IM/Presence specialization, designed to showcase expertise in the planning, deployment, and management of these solutions.
Messaging specialization, designed to showcase expertise in email/calendaring migration and deployment solutions.
Voice specialization, designed to showcase expertise in implementing VoIP, unified messaging and conferencing solutions.

If you are already active in the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency, and/or or the Unified Communications specialization within the Information Worker Solutions competency, you will be automatically transferred to the new competency after May 30.

Those partners who currently have the Unified Communications specialization within the Information Worker competency will automatically move to the IM/Presence specialization within new competency.

Partners who currently have the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency will be automatically moved to the Messaging specialization within the new competency.

Partners who have obtained either the UC specialization or the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization will maintain current benefits in the previous competencies through the anniversary date.

The Voice specialization is brand new starting on May 30th and there will be no transitions to this specialization from other areas. Stay tuned to the partner portal and this blog for the new requirements when they are posted.

There are no new additional requirements to be met for the IM/Presence or the Messaging specializations.

Hosting Solutions

The Hosting Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency will become the new Hosting competency. You’ll still have access to the Microsoft platform, software, tools, and services to help you meet your customers’ needs. But now you’ll be able to leverage your activity in the Hosting competency to better distinguish your organization as a hosting expert.

All partners who currently have the Hosting Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure and Solutions competency will automatically be moved to the new Hosting Solution competency until the anniversary date.

IMPORTANT NOTE - To maintain status in the Hosting Solutions Competency, two employees or contractors must pass exam 70-501: Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments - Configuring and Managing prior to the anniversary date.

Additional Changes

Beginning May 30th, 2008, the Business Process and Integration Competency will become the SOA and Business Process Competency.

Microsoft will also be aligning partner certification requirements across the commercial agreements and the Business Solutions competency. Check the partner portal for further details after May 30th.

Microsoft will also change exam requirements for five competencies and programs. The five competencies or programs affected are:

ISV/Software Solutions
Identity and Security Access
Small Business Specialist Community
Advanced Infrastructure
Mobility

Please check the partner portal for specific impact to your organization, or work with your Microsoft field partner team to learn more.

Posted at 10:21 AM by NORTHAMERICA\terrys | Category: Competencies & Certification; Business Intelligence; Office Communications Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)