Monthly Archive for May, 2009

Attend a Live Meeting on SBS 2008 Configuration – 28.05.09

Published on May 23, 2009 in Computers and Internet. 0 Comments

A quick note of congratulations to the two new Microsoft SBSC PAL’s (Partner Area Leads) for the UK for 2009/2010, Andy Trish of NCI Technologies, and AMITPRO’s very own Steve Wright of BMS. Great appointments from Microsoft to two noted Community figures – which can only mean good things for the UK SBSC Community in the year to come!

Andy (pictured right) is immediately making himself busy by hosting a Live Meeting on Windows Small Business Server 2008 Configuration this Thursday. Full details below:-

“Are you prepared for the SBS 2008 Configuration exam 70-653? If you haven’t already taken it and you are looking for study guidance then join your peers in the first of a series of Microsoft Live Meetings where SBS MVP Andy Trish will be giving an overview of the features you’ll need to learn and guidance on exam taking for those that haven’t yet experienced Microsoft testing before.

The live meetings will be intensive so be prepared to answer questions thrown at you and you’ll be given homework to prepare for the next one with the intention of all candidates being able to complete the live meetings and take their exams prior to the end of June.  The cost of attendance is free however if you don’t have a voucher the exam cost will need to be funded by yourself but as Andy says, this is a great investment you are making in your future both for you and your customers.

Exam 70-653 will be one of a choice of exams required to be SBSC in the upcoming changes Microsoft are making in the Partner Community so get out your notepads and join in. The first event is Thursday 28th of May at 3:30 and is due to last 1.5 hours

The registration link is https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/0000000379_116/Registration.aspx?pageName=9jp66cq70v4t53q2”

3 Good Reasons to attend your local User Group Meeting

Published on May 11, 2009 in Advice for MSP's. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Image used courtesy of Leonard Lin under Creative Commons LicenseWhy attend your local Peer or User Group meeting? Here’s three reasons I’ve found for engaging with my peers and becoming part of my local user group over the past few years:-

  1. Why re-invent the wheel? Every problem you’ll face as a business owner or technician will likely have already been met and solved by one of your peers – doesn’t it make sense to learn from others rather than isolate yourself?
  2. There are hundreds of vendors with thousands of products out there – you could spend all day, every day researching, via White Papers, reviews and magazine articles, their latest and greatest offerings. Or you could visit your local user group each month and hear directly from your peers about what works, what doesn’t, and most months actually meet the vendors directly to discuss their offerings.
  3. Ever come across a project job you were under resourced to tackle alone? Are you a “one man band” or similar and can’t remember the last time you took a day off, or worry about what you’ll do if you’re off sick and unable to work? Wouldn’t it be nice to build relationships with your peers that would help you tackle this situation?

So if you have not visited your local user group recently, I’d encourage you to pop along and get involved. At worst you’ll have an evening spent talking shop with some fellow business owners and technicians over a pint!