Peer Power Blog

I don’t normally write about specific technology products, but last week Microsoft released to manufacturing a great new product called Windows MultiPoint Server 2011. This product has been revved from the previous version and I think has a great application for those of us serving small businesses. The previous version was only designed for education users – but this version – while still designed with education in mind – has a significant play for us in SMB.With Windows MultiPoint Server 2011, the licensing and purchase model has been simplified. There are still two versions as before, with similar restrictions:• Windows MultiPoint 2011 Standard – still cannot join a domain and still has a... Continue reading

So a bit of a departure on the topic today as I normally don't write about technology and certainly not products, but this one is really worth discussing. Change is coming to a small business near you - and we need to get ready and prepare for our entry into this brave new world of on premise and cloud services. Microsoft has built a product just for us - so here are some thoughts....This week marks a transition for SMB partners with the announcement of Microsoft Small Business Server "Aurora." Aurora is targeting companies on the smaller end of SMB, while the regular Small Business Server product will grow beyond the limitation of 25 users. Aurora does not come with Exchange Server and Sh... Continue reading

Level Platforms has made a couple important announcements that are important to note if you are using their platform or considering an MSP solution. The first is the announcement of full virtualization support for their Managed Workplace solution. We all know that virtualization is a pervasive technology that is just getting its feet wet but will soon be as common as the cold. So it is important to have solutions to manage those environments and now you can. Check out the details at http://www.htgmembers.com/2008-11-05%20Virtualization.pdf. Equally important, the folks at LPI announced at launch last week the ability to have comprehensive remote monitoring, management and reporting for SBS ... Continue reading

Things have been way too quiet around the upcoming launch of SBS2008 and EBS. Time for all of us to let people in our patch know about the upcoming Launch. There hasn't been nearly enough hoopla or air cover. So it is up to us as partners to set off some rockets and fireworks in our own cities and towns. And it is time to do it NOW. In less than a week, the Dream Server Launch will happen. http://www.thedreamserver.com/ Know what I am talking about? The new kid in the Windows Server Family becomes public on November 12. That is also the day that SBS2008 makes its public debut. Our own Erik Thorsell from HTG3 will be part of that launch with his great work for Robby Gordon Motor Sports. We a... Continue reading

Who the heck is Tom & what does he have to do with SBS????We all know of & have met anti-SBSers – many of whom are still harboring negative attitudes and perceptions from SBS 4.0/4.5 days. Microsoft met with several of the HTG peer groups & spoke to several of these partners & decided they needed to do something about this to dispel all the misperceptions about the product. One crazy video at a time.So what does Tom have to do with all this? Well, here’s exactly where Tom comes in to the picture. But instead of spoiling the fun, I’ll let Tom work his wizard magic on you directly…find out more about him here: http://sbsguru.spaces.live.com/default.aspx You’re one of the very first handful of ... Continue reading