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July 31, 2009

Watch WPC09 Keynote Addresses and Breakout Sessions On-Demand

Not able to attend WPC this year? Visit the WPC09 video section to watch keynote addresses and breakout sessions on demand. And you can access important resources and presentations from WPC09 sessions. Check back regularly for new session postings.

New session videos:

Engage Microsoft to Drive Your Business: Opportunities for Win 7 and Wave 14

Driving Sales in the New Economy by Offering "Career-Focused Training"

Learning Solutions Best Practices Showcase

Turn Economic Challenges into Business Opportunities: Microsoft Online Services

Software-Plus-Services: Bringing it all together

FY10 Microsoft Dynamics Partner Strategy

Are You Stuck in Your Comfort Zone?

Certified for Microsoft Dynamics

Reducing Costs by Integrating Marketing, Sales, and Implementation Methodologies

July 20, 2009

Need Continuing Professional Education Credits for Attending WPC09?

Download a form that contains a complete list of WPC 2009 sessions and session lengths.  Print the form, complete based on your session attendance, and submit to your state Certified Public Accountant Society for credits.

July 17, 2009

Accessing Office PowerPoint Presentations from Breakout Sessions

WPC participants: If you would like to download Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentations from breakout sessions you attended, visit Schedule Builder and sign in with your Windows Live ID. Navigate to the session you attended, then click the Office PowerPoint icon, which will appear in the lower left corner of the session information tab. Note, however, that a few sessions do not have presentations.

If you didn’t attend WPC, you can find presentations together with the on-demand videos of select breakout session videos.

July 16, 2009

Congratulations to All WPC09 Contest Winners

The names of the grand prize winners for “WPC09: The Contest” were drawn yesterday. One winner received a Palm Treo; four winners each received a ticket to Jazz Fest, including accommodations at the Astoria Hotel; and five winners each received a pass to next year’s WPC.

Other contest prizes included two Velocity Netbooks handed out by the Microsoft Partner Network Team, a $1000 travel gift certificate awarded in the Windows Phone Contest, and two Lenovo IdeaPads given to winners of the Windows 7 contest.

The final round of winners will be announced at Jazz Fest on Thursday evening.

July 16, 2009

Microsoft Online Services Announces New Partner Benefits

Beginning this week, Microsoft Online Services partners qualify for up to 250 seats of Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) for internal use, at no charge. Learn how to take advantage of this new benefit.

July 15, 2009

U.S. Regional Sessions

Each of the U.S. Regions (Central, East, and West) will host a session for partners in their respective geographies from 12:30pm - 1:30pm on Thursday, July 16, as part of the U.S. partners track. Get more information about U.S. activities at WPC.

July 15, 2009

Highlights from WPC09 Vision Keynotes, Day Three

In her Wednesday keynote message, Corporate Vice President Allison Watson highlighted the most important characteristics of successful partners, congratulated and introduced several of this year’s Imagine Cup Award participants, and announced her technology A-list. As part of the A-list presentation, Todd Brix, senior director of Windows Mobile Communications Business, announced that Windows Mobile Marketplace will be globally available on July 27, 2009. Other technologies featured on Watson’s A-list were Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Amalga, Microsoft HealthVault, Microsoft Office Communications Server, and a vision of the future of technology in 10 years.

Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner enlivened the conference with a compelling review of Microsoft’s competitive strategy. He highlighted four pillars of innovation for partners’ roadmaps for the future, outlined a dynamic five-point game-plan for partner success, and put forth three calls to action for this time in history which he called, “a moment of truth.” Watch the keynotes now.

July 15, 2009

Ask the U.S. Partner Leadership Team a Question

At the U.S. keynote address on Thursday, July 16, Robert Youngjohns, president of Microsoft North America, will be joined by the U.S. Partner Leadership Team for a question and answer session. Submit your question by e-mail or through Twitter to @WPC09US.

July 15, 2009

Code to the Power of Windows 7

Developers: Take three minutes to video yourself describing and demonstrating your application idea for Windows 7, and you could win cash, software, computers, or a trip to the 2009 Professional Developers Conference (PDC 09). Get complete contest details.

July 15, 2009

Luncheon Honors WPC09 Award Winners

The Microsoft Awards luncheon, held Tuesday, July 14, honored each of the 65 WPC09 award-winning companies. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Corporate Vice President Allison Watson congratulated them as the “best of the best” and challenged them to keep the bar high and win again next year. This year’s contest saw the largest-ever field of nominees, with more than 2,000 entrants. View the 2009 Award Winners.

July 15, 2009

Backstage with Stephen Elop and Allison Watson at WPC

In a backstage discussion with Corporate Vice President Allison Watson, Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft Business Division, recaps some of the main points from his keynote address. He explains how partners can achieve more productivity with lower costs by delivering offerings such as Microsoft Office SharePoint and by embracing a software-plus-services model. Elop advises partners not to wait for launches, but to have conversations with customers now to position their organization for the gains that will come with these new technologies.

July 14, 2009

Backstage with Bill Veghte and Allison Watson at WPC

Following their July 13 keynote addresses, Corporate Vice President Allison Watson and Bill Veghte, senior vice president, Microsoft Business Division, met backstage to discuss the “single greatest…opportunity” to capture new revenue Microsoft has offered partners in recent history—Windows 7. Learn how to get ready for the RTM by ensuring your current applications are compatible with Windows 7, and by developing your own applications to make the most of the new capabilities.


July 14, 2009

Highlights from WPC09 Vision Keynotes, Day Two

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave an inspiring keynote address this morning, thanking Microsoft partners and articulating Microsoft’s commitment to a long-term, partner-centric, tenacious roadmap, including a US$9.5 billion investment in research and development. Ballmer said, “Our partners are seizing the opportunity to shape new relationships with customers, and provide new experiences and more business value.” He encouraged partners to stay optimistic, energetic, and excited for the future, and to embrace the opportunity for the most dynamic time in history for IT to drive a renewal of economic growth across the world.

In his keynote address, Bob Muglia, president of the Server and Tools Business, outlined the opportunity for partners to enable customers to change the way they do business through new functionality with Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Systems Center, and cloud-computing technologies with Windows Azure. Muglia announced the Dynamic Data Center Alliance, an initiative that makes it possible for partners to set up sample virtual environments. He also announced Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) Essentials, a new program to simplify the licensing process for smaller partner organizations, and an offer for WPC09 Partners to use Windows Azure now at no charge, prior to the commercial launch of Windows Azure at the next Professional Developers Conference. Watch the keynotes now.

July 14, 2009

Microsoft Online Services Announces New Partner Features

Three new partner features were revealed today for Microsoft Online Services. You can use the Microsoft Online Services Partner Commerce Dashboard to track your customer trials and orders, and to manage your sales pipeline. You can leverage the Microsoft Online Services Partner Sales Portal to set up customer trial services and generate customer quotes. And you will be able to use the delegated administration feature to manage customers’ accounts from a single log-on.

July 14, 2009

Microsoft Unveils Windows Azure Platform Business Model

Today at WPC, Bob Muglia, president of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft Corp., announced the business and partner model for the company’s Windows Azure platform. The platform includes a cloud services operating system, a Web-based relational database in Microsoft SQL Azure, and connectivity and interoperability with .NET Services. The Windows Azure platform delivers a rich development experience, automated service management and pay-as-you-go pricing — all backed by service-level agreements and support. Read the complete article on Microsoft PressPass.

Get more information about pricing and licensing for Windows Azure.

July 14, 2009

Find the Windows 7 Film Crew, Tell Your Story, and Win!

Look for the Windows 7 film crew at WPC09 and tell them your story. You could win instant prizes, such as notebook PCs, cameras, and other devices. The film crew will be roaming WPC at various Windows activities and locations including Windows Booth #827, and at Windows-related sessions, Hands-On Labs, and keynote addresses. You can track the film crew at Windows7WPC on Twitter. Also, stop by Windows Booth #827, get your picture taken, and finish the equation: Windows 7 + (your photo) = ___.  You’ll be added to the photo wall—and you’ll get a Windows 7 T-shirt.

July 14, 2009

Get Ready with Self-Paced Labs

In addition to the Hands-On Labs led by instructors found in Schedule Builder, you can also find self-paced labs in room #260/261. You can complete any lab in this room at your own pace.

July 14, 2009

WPC09 Golf Tournament a Success

On Sunday, July 12, more than 90 Microsoft partners and staff, including Corporate Vice President Allison Watson, enjoyed a round of golf at the annual WPC Golf Invitational, held this year at the Stonebridge Golf Course in New Orleans. Participants braved high temperatures to play the 27 champion-hole, links-style course showcasing the canals, bayous, reptiles, and waterfowl that characterize the unique New Orleans golf experience. The winning team included Jeff Laue, managing director, N3 Niche Cubed, US; David Kratz, business development manager, N3 Niche Cubed, US; Chris Olsen, director, WPG US; and Bill Gauthier, director of consulting, LE Groupe CGI, Montreal Consultation, Canada.

Thanks to all who contributed to help make this event a success. You can view photos from the tournament on Flickr.

July 13, 2009

Microsoft Office 2010 Hits Major Milestone and Enters Technical Preview

Today at WPC, Microsoft Corp. announced that Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010, and Microsoft Project 2010 have reached the technical preview engineering milestone. Starting today, tens of thousands of people will be invited to test Office and Visio as part of the Technical Preview program.

“Office 2010 is the premier productivity solution across PCs, mobile phones* and browsers,” said Chris Capossela, senior vice president of the Microsoft Business Division at Microsoft. “From broadcast and video editing in PowerPoint, new data visualization capabilities in Excel, and co-authoring in Word, we are delivering technology to help people work smarter and faster from virtually any location using any device.” Read complete article on Microsoft PressPass.

July 13, 2009

Highlights from WPC09 Vision Keynotes, Day One

Corporate Vice President Allison Watson kicked off the WPC09 conference on Monday, July 13, by launching the new Microsoft Partner Network. Watson was joined by Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft Business Division and Bill Veghte, senior vice president, Microsoft Business Division, to outline a bold roadmap of products and services the company will deliver in the coming year to help partners distinguish themselves with customers and compete confidently in the new economy. Watson said, “With the Microsoft Partner Network we’re creating a community based on our continued commitment to serve the needs of our partners and help them reach their full potential. Working together, we continue to focus on creating innovative solutions that drive profitability and sustain competitive advantage.”

Bill Veghte challenged the audience of more than 9,000 to join Microsoft in writing the next chapter of Windows. He demonstrated many of the new features of Windows 7, and when asked, more than half the partners indicated that they are currently running it. Stephen Elop illustrated the power of Microsoft Office 2010, announcing its technical preview and showcasing new features which will enhance user experience and productivity. Elop also thanked the more than 5,000 partners who have embraced software-plus-services and provided customers with custom-built Microsoft Online Services Solutions. Watch the keynotes now.

July 13, 2009

Considering the Cloud? Check out the Azure Partner Quickstart

Visit the new Azure Partner Quickstart website for partner tools, resources, and announcements regarding the Windows Azure Platform. This community portal offers a single destination for you to start driving your business with Windows Azure.

July 13, 2009

Hands-On Lab for Windows Phone on Monday, July 13, at 5 PM

Join us Monday, July 13, from 5:00-6:00 P.M. in Room 262 for the Hands-On Lab, New Windows Phone Capabilities. You’ll get the chance to learn about the new capabilities of Windows Mobile 6.5, including the new user interface and richer browsing experience. And you’ll get a first look at the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

July 12, 2009

Cloud Computing Infrastructure to Announce Dynamic Data Center Alliance

On Tuesday, July 14 at WPC, Bob Muglia, president, Server and Tools Business, will announce the Cloud Computing Infrastructure’s Dynamic Data Center Alliance. The announcement will feature a demo showing the deployment of the Dynamic Data Center Toolkit, and will be followed by a breakout session, Building the Foundation for a Cloud Computing Infrastructure, providing an overview of Microsoft’s end-to-end cloud strategy and the business opportunities involving the private cloud infrastructure. Get more details about the Cloud Computing Infrastructure Initiative.

July 12, 2009

Media and Entertainment Session on July 15

The Media and Entertainment market is experiencing large changes with audience fragmentation and adoption of digital distribution services. Join us at the Media and Entertainment Strategy session on July 15 to discuss key investment and industry solution areas, and outline the partner engagement model. Topics will include Silverlight, IIS MediaServices/SmoothStreaming, DRM/PlayRead, FAST Search, and more.

July 12, 2009

Thank You to WPC Day of Giving Participants

Thanks to all Microsoft partners and staff, as well as local volunteers, who contributed their time and talents at the WPC Day of Giving on Sunday, July 12. Volunteers gathered with student artists and art teachers from Carver High School to share their mural painting talents. Completed murals will be hung at the Carver High School for Communication and Arts as part of the school’s Wall of Hope. 

Hundreds of partners turned out for beatification projects at the Arise Academy Charter at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School. In addition to painting, landscaping, and computer lab set-up, the Windows Mobile team also presented United Way with 100 mobile phones that will be donated to a battered women’s shelter. Visit the WPC09 Flickr page to post your Day of Giving photos and to see other WPC09 photos.

July 11, 2009

Participate in WPC Contests

As thousands of partners come together in New Orleans for a dynamic and energizing WPC09, Microsoft has created “WPC09: The Contest.” Designed to build community, showcase the benefits of the Partner Program, and demonstrate the latest and greatest Microsoft technology, the contest is also a great way to have fun and win prizes. Get complete details on all WPC contests.

July 10, 2009

Ask Steve Ballmer

Geoff Colvin of Fortune Magazine will be interviewing Steve Ballmer on the main stage during his keynote on Tuesday. During the interview, you have the opportunity for Steve to answer your big-picture, partner-related questions.

You can submit your questions in the following ways:

When submitting questions, be sure to include your name, company, and where you are from, so we can recognize you on stage.

July 9, 2009

Windows Embedded at WPC

Join us in the Windows Embedded Booth (#821) during WPC for sessions showcasing the latest Windows Embedded technologies and devices. Learn what embedded means, check out the Golden-I wearable headset, learn how to build kiosks and point-of-sale terminals, see how Windows Embedded is used in Industrial scenarios, and more. Also, check out the following hands-on labs on Thursday, July 16 - Build the Next Generation of User Interface for Your Windows Embedded Standard Device and Deployment Options for Windows Embedded POSReady 2009.

July 9, 2009

Attend Windows 7 Session and Enter to Win VIP Tickets to the WPC Party

Join us Monday, July 13, at 3:30 PM in rooms 235-236 of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the session, Windows 7: What You Need to Know to Get Your Products Ready. We’ll be discussing the opportunities that Windows 7 provides for software publishers, letting you hear from ISVs directly. And to help make it worth your hour, we are offering chances to win VIP tickets to this year’s WPC Party. 

July 8, 2009

Local Business Discounts for WPC Attendees

The following New Orleans area businesses are offering special discounts to WPC attendees. You will need to download the document and print out the coupons to redeem many of the discounts, and to get more information about the participating businesses.

· Cary New Orleans Limousine Tour – Limo tour for $75/person

· Community Coffee House – 20% off retail purchase

· Crepes a la Cart - free Nutella crepe when you purchase two additional crepes

· Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant – 50% off an appetizer with the purchase of an entrée

· Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours - $6 off any tour ticket

· Grand Isle Restaurant - 15% discount on meal

· Haunted History Tours – 25% off all tours

· Hotel New Orleans Dinner and Lounge - Appetizer, entrée, dessert and a glass of wine for $16. 2 for 1 well drinks and house wine at Ray T’s Lounge.

· Houmas House Plantation and Gardens Tour – 10% off on mansion and tour ticket

· Kurt E. Schon Ltd. Gallery – free packing and shipping with any purchase

· La petite Grocery – 15% off all grocery purchases

· Limousine Livery – 40% off retail rates

· Musee Conti Wax Museum – buy one ticket and get one free

· New Orleans Magic Tours – 50% off tour admission

· New Orleans Spirit Tours - $5 off tour for up to 3 people

· Oceana Grill - 10% off

· Pelican Club Restaurant and Bar, 20% off four course prix fixe menu

· Royal Palms Restaurant – buy entrée one and get one of equal or lesser value free

· Rubenstein Men’s Store – 10%, 15%, or 20% off single sale item

· St. Joseph Plantation Tour - $5 discount on regular adult tour

· Saks Fifth Avenue, Canal Street – 15% discount on purchases

· Spa Atlantis - 10% off spa service

· White Noise Musical – 30% discount on tickets

· Zea Rotisserie & Grill – $10 off regular priced entrée

July 8, 2009

Subscribe to Internet Explorer 8 Web Slices for WPC09

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Anyone running Internet Explorer 8 can now get the latest WPC news and conversations—regardless of where they are on the Web. Get the new WPC Web Slices with a single click and keep up with news, events, Twitter conversations—even video.

To subscribe, go to the home page and click on the green leaf (shown on right). This will add WPC09 News to your toolbar—right next to the Favorites—so you can get the latest WPC news and conversations even if you are on another site.

July 8, 2009

Learning Solutions Open Office Hours

Learning Solutions Partners: Stop by Open Office Hours on July 13 and 14 in Room 274 of the Convention Center. There is no agenda, no slides, just Microsoft Learning leaders available to listen to your questions, suggestions, and feedback. Take a look at the schedule below for a list of topics and individuals who will be available.

Monday, July 13

2:30 PM – 3 PM: Delivery - Ben Watson, Sharon Harris, Jim Palmeri
3 PM – 3:30 PM: Content - Shakil Ahmed, Matthew Brown
3:30 PM – 4 PM: Program/Marketing - Morgan Carter, Phil Webb
4 PM - 5 PM: Open - Lutz Ziob, Chris Pirie

Tuesday, July 14

1 PM – 2 PM: Tele-Sales - John Schoenstein
3:30 PM – 5 PM: Certification - Bill Wall, Jim Palmeri, PrometricTime

July 8, 2009

Licensing “Ask the Experts” Schedule

Get your licensing questions answered at the “Ask the Experts” kiosk in the Expo Hall during WPC. Visit Microsoft Partner Program booth 1021 in the Expo Hall during the following hours:

Monday, July 13

5 PM –7 PM: Ask the Experts about Microsoft Online Services and Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing
7 PM – 9:00 PM: Ask the Experts about Licensing Tools (Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing, Microsoft License Advisor for Volume Licensing, eAgreements, and the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center [VLSC])

Tuesday, July 14

12 PM – 2 PM: Ask the Experts about Enterprise Partner Group (EPG) Volume Licensing Programs (Microsoft Select License, Microsoft Select Plus, Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, and Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement), and Licensing Tools
2 PM – 4 PM: Ask the Experts about EPG Programs and the Microsoft Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Royalty Licensing Program
4 PM –6:00 PM: Ask the Experts about Small- and Midsize-Business (SMB) Volume Licensing Programs (Microsoft Open License, Microsoft Open Value, and Microsoft Open Value Subscription) and Software Assurance

Wednesday, July 15

12 PM – 2 PM: Ask the Experts about Online Services, Virtualization, and the Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA)
2 PM – 4 PM: Ask the Experts about Online Services, Virtualization, and Licensing Tools
4 PM –6:00 PM: Ask the Experts about SMB Volume Licensing Programs and Software Assurance

Thursday, July 16

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Ask the Experts about Software Assurance
1 PM –3 PM: Ask the Experts about Online Services

July 7, 2009

OEM Track at WPC09

The new OEM track at WPC is going to cover 2 days and will have 6 sessions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to be ready for Windows 7. Three additional sessions will take an in-depth look at Windows 7 from both a technical and a go-to-market perspective. Find complete details on OEM activities at WPC09.

July 7, 2009

Mobility at WPC09

Mobility is facilitating a series of small group discussions where partners with common interests can meet and explore new business opportunities. These small group discussions are an excellent way to network and meet new partners, extend your business practice into new customer segments, and reach into new geographies. Attendance is on a first come, first serve basis. Please see the Mobility page for a complete schedule.

 

Don’t miss the Mobility Solutions Showcase where ISVs will demonstrate the latest in wireless applications. The showcase will take place Monday, July 13 (opening night) from 6PM to 8PM at the WPC Expo Hall (adjacent to the Windows Phone Expo Booth - #637). Please see the Mobility page for ISVs who will be presenting.

July 2, 2009

How Loyal Are Your Customers?

Attend the Theater Booth presentation on July 15 at 4 P.M, and find out how Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, I.B.I.S., Inc., is winning customer loyalty and new business by measuring customer satisfaction levels. And learn more about how the Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index can help your organization understand what drives customer satisfaction and loyalty. Participate in a CSAT Index survey today to meet your Microsoft Gold Certified Partner re-enrollment requirement.

At WPC, stop by the RSC booth and we’ll help you launch your CSAT Index survey. It will take about 30 minutes. You’ll need to have your pre-approved customer list, a Windows Live ID, and to be associated to your organization as a primary contact, a sales and marketing contact, or as a Microsoft Partner Program Administrator.