RTM Announcement - Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.1 

Hello,

It's been a few months since I last blogged about the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.1 - formerly known as WVHA or Windows Vista Hardware Assessment.  Today, I'd like to announce the RTM release of this tool with new capabilities including desktop security assessment, Hyper-V virtualization assessment, and more.

As you know, many of the IT pros out there like you are now spending a lot of time planning for Windows Vista deployments.  But many question and challenges remain:

• Are my existing PCs compatible to Windows Vista when it comes to Hardware and Device Compatibility?
• Will my PCs have BIOS issues after the upgrade to Windows Vista?
• Which of my PCs are ripe for an upgrade to Windows Vista?  (e.g. CPU too old so it's time to replace them; or just add 512MB system memory and the PCs would be Windows Vista capable!)
• What kind of software has been installed?
• Are all of my PCs secure?  Is Windows Security Center installed?  Do they have Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware software installed?  How about Windows Firewall settings?
• What about application virtualization readiness?

The MAP Toolkit 3.1 is designed to address all of these desktop-side issues from a single tool! The MAP Toolkit is a platform of tools that combines the strength of agentless discovery and report generation capabilities from the previous generation (Windows Vista Hardware Assessment). The pie-chart below is part of an auto-generated readiness report from the MAP Toolkit and it illustrates the level of hardware readiness for Windows Vista upgrades across the desktop infrastructure.

As a matter of fact, if you view the latest MAP Team RTM blog post from yesterday, you will find that the MAP Toolkit 3.1 also havs many server-side and virtualization features including a Hyper-V virtualization candidates assessment and SQL Server discovery!!   

• Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.1 RTM Version
• Read documentation about MAP operations on TechNet
• Learn tips and see video demos on MAP Team Blog
• Join MAP Fan Clubs on TechNet Forum or Facebook

Cheers!
Baldwin Ng (Sr. Product Manager, Microsoft Solution Accelerators - Virtualization Lead)

I hope you have tried out SoftGrid (part of the cool MDOP package) - but, now we gotta start using a new name: "Microsoft Application Virtualization" - or actually "System Center Application Virtualization Management System "…

We all know the Microsoft way of doing this by now: buy the technology/product, start selling with the good old (well known) name, change the name - and some would add: then, as the very last part of the process, change the naming within the code, like "Softricity" folder names, service names etc. (as they often "forget" about this).

Nevertheless a Public Beta version is available for the NEW version 4.5 (most have 4.2 out there I guess). The Beta is available from Microsoft Connect - just sign up and as to participate in the "Application Virtualization 4.5 Public Beta".

You then ask: what’s the new stuff? First of all we of course have a lot of bugfixes, but you also have new and cool functionality worth a lot of nice words - but I’m afraid it’s gonna be another time, sorry.

However, check these links:
Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 Beta – What’s New
Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization

Hope you will like it!

Deployment insiders probably saw this coming, but the recent Beta release of Deployment 4 is a huge step in unifying the converging tools and procedures to image and automate installation of both desktops and now servers in a single console. For current BDD 2007 users, this means with very little extra effort you are ready to create images and deploy Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008 using the Deployment Workbench. Deployment 4 also integrates with the new System Center Configuration Manager 2007 features for OS deployment and task sequencing. Speaking of task sequences, the Deployment 4 has shifted focus from builds to task sequences, making deployments more flexible and aligning to the way System Center Configuration Manager 2007 performs OS deployment. And as if that wasn’t enough, Deployment 4 leverages the new multicasting functionality coming in Windows Server 2008 Windows Deployment Services. Multicasting dramatically reduces network bandwidth by instead of passing a 4 GB image individually to each targeted computer, it can pass that same 4 GB image to multiple computers simultaneously.

Deployment 4 Beta 3 combines the guidance and toolset from previous releases of Business Desktop Deployment and Beta releases of Windows Server Deployment. This release continues to support Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) of desktop operating systems using Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack and adds new deployment and task sequencing capabilities for desktops and servers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Deployment 4 also continues to provide Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support without infrastructure requirements and adds capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and pre-release versions of Windows Server 2008.< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

New Features in Deployment 4 Beta 3

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:

·         Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Deployment 4 and Configuration Manager 2007.

·         Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.

o    Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.

o    Extends the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.

·         Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, database settings.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:

·         Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC0 (to be verified after RC0 release), including support for Server Core installation options.  (Windows Server 2008 TAP customers only.)

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:

·         Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.

·         Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.

·         Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:

o    Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP

o    Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008

o    Replace scenario template

·         Ability to invoke web service calls

o    Support for web service calls from rules

o    Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Deployment 4, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.

·         Support for side-by-side installation with Deployment 4 and BDD 2007 installed on the same machine.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:

·         Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Enhanced Beta Program on Microsoft Connect

This Beta release also offers an enhanced Microsoft Connect portal including technical frequently asked questions, deployment tips and tricks, a recommended 10-step program for new users to quickly get acquainted with deployment accelerators, customer-ready Solution Accelerator informational materials, and deployment-related conference presentations.

Where to find Deployment Beta 3 

To join the Deployment 4 Beta 3 program, follow these steps:

1)     Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).

2)     Click Invitations on the Connect menu.

3)     Sign in using a valid Windows Live ID to continue to the Invitations page.

4)     Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: D4B3-RFC6-99CW

5)     Click Go.

If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.

Give us your feedback! 

Our mission is to make typically complex deployment projects as easy as possible. Based on customer feedback we have released things like the 19-page Quickstart Guide for BDD 2007 and provided the current enhanced Microsoft Deployment Connection Beta site to catalog and highlight technical implementation content. We have also provided informational content in the Beta program for those new to deployment accelerators. We are always refining what we deliver and how we deliver content based on your feedback.

Jeremy

Solution Accelerators Team

Deployment insiders probably saw this coming, but the recent Beta release of Deployment 4 is a huge step in unifying the converging tools and procedures to image and automate installation of both desktops and now servers in a single console. For current Read More……(read more)

Hi all,

For those of you who missed some of the actions and announcements at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference regarding key technologies and tools including SoftGrid, Windows Partner Solutions, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment and Windows Business Value Assessment Tool, read on…

Baldwin

Interview with Heartland Technology Solutions at WPC 2007

On Day 3 of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2007 (WPC)  in Denver, I caught up with IT veterans from the Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS) in Harlan, Iowa - CEO, Arlin Sorensen and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Larry Hedin.  Here’s what they have to say about what’s they’ve seen at WPC.

Baldwin: “Arlin, it’s good seeing you and Larry again.  A few months ago, I met you and a few peer group members of the Heartland Technology Group (HTG) during a series of product and technology review meetings on Microsoft’s Redmond Campus.  Can you tell us a bit more about the Heartland Technology Group (HTG), how it started and what the charter is?”

Arlin: “Sure. Back in 2001, I recognized that there was a general lack of peer groups for Microsoft partners that serve the SMB space in the United States and Canada.  As technology continued to morph and change, we knew that we couldn’t figure out everything on our own, so I decided to launch the first HTG peer group that same year.  The HTG peer group is an open community where technology leaders would share their own daily real world experience with those having the same challenges.  Better yet, they are all coming from non-competing markets so there are no worries and concerns about competition.  Through sharing of best practices in business and technologies implementation, we are able to stay ahead of the rapidly changing industry.  That’s how we are able to grow and grow - we are now at close to 100 company members.”

Baldwin: “Very interesting.  You certainly have a great group of technology leaders.  I always enjoy meeting them and tapping their insights.”

Baldwin: “Larry, as part of the Worldwide Partner Conference partner panel, what was your impression about the solutions and technologies that Microsoft has rolled out at this conference?  What impressed you the most?”

Larry: “Baldwin, there are two things that are very impressive - SoftGrid and Windows Partner Solutions.  SoftGrid application virtualization has really become affordable for my customers.  As part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP), SoftGrid really helps reducing deployment time down to a minimum.  It takes care of tough apps - apps that conflict with other line-of-business apps previously without SoftGrid.  It is really awesome to see how energized my sales force are when they discuss SoftGrid and MDOP with our customer base.  These technologies give partners like us greater leverage and help remove deployment roadblocks for Windows Vista.”

Larry: “I am also very impressed with the assessment tools rolled out this week as part of the Windows Partner Solutions program.  The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool is a great tool that helps my sales force quickly assess the existing PCs of my customer base and determine if they are ready for Windows Vista and Office 2007 migration. It is easy to learn and use and, most importantly, it helps accelerate my business!  Another great tool is the Windows Vista Business Value Assessment Tool (may require partners log-in).  It enables partners like us to sell the business value of Windows Vista.  Without the data-centric intelligence provided by this tool, it’s much harder to sell.  This tool is straightforward and the customization to specific market and company size is a great addition.  We can now build our sales process around the use of these assessment tools and the results they generate.  Partners should definitely download these free tools and see how they can help accelerate their sales.

Baldwin: “Arlin, what would you say would be another technology that our customers and partners should keep an eye one?”

Arlin: “Partners here are seeing and hearing the buzz about Software plus Service and how this will offer great business to us.  We too are getting ourselves prepared to get more involved in the Managed Services side of the IT business.”

Baldwin: “Arlin, Larry, on behalf of our Windows Vista Team blog audience, I’d like to thank you for your time today.  Thanks for your insights and hope you enjoy the rest of the event.”

Arlin and Larry: “Thanks for having us.”