Become an undisputed Cloud Champion

The team have recently launched a 12-week step-by-step course to help partners start selling cloud solutions. I know there’s lots of information available to Microsoft partners to help them transition their business to the cloud, but it’s often hard to find. When you do come across things, it can be sometimes overwhelming the amount to consume.

This course will break down these resources into 12 bite size chunks. I will send an email out every Monday (with an unsubscribe link in each if it becomes too much) as well as a invitation to a webinar on the Thursday to delve deeper into the content.

Would love to hear your stories about your success, or if you have a great cloud customer story. Otherwise any feedback on what you think about the course would be great.

Sign up at www.microsoft.com/australia/cloudchampion.

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Partner Summit 2013 Cloud Resources

We have just completed our Australian tour for the 2013 Partner Summits.
During our Business Transformation Workshops, many partners asked for a summary of resources.

Windows Azure Developer Camps 2013

Join a Windows Azure Developer Camp and leave with code running in the cloud!

SYDNEY
7-8 November 2013
REGISTER NOW >

BRISBANE
11-12 November 2013
REGISTER NOW >

MELBOURNE
14-15 November 2013
REGISTER NOW >

This is a two day “no cost” Windows Azure Instructor led Workshop where you roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with the latest Windows Azure services, development tools and technologies. Day One is an Introduction and Day Two is Advanced. Please read the agenda for each camp to determine what suits your skills and needs best.

Pre-requisites: please bring your own laptop with you and sign up for a Windows Azure trial. That way, during the workshop, you’ll be able to try out the newest features of Windows Azure for yourself.

  • Day One: Introduction to Windows Azure
    • Meet the new Windows Azure
    • Web Applications on Windows Azure
    • Cloud-Ready Data Services
    • Windows Azure Virtual Machines and Virtual Networks
  • Day Two: Advanced Course on Windows Azure
    • Windows Azure and Mobile Applications
    • Windows Azure and Identity in the Cloud
    • Windows Azure, Messaging and Integration
    • Windows Azure and Big Data

Ready Cert Go

Our training team have announced new two-stage Exam Preparation Sessions to assist with Cloud Certification. This will hopefully help you pass the exams the first time.

Sarah will shortly announcing Intensive Exam Preparation sessions designed to help you pass exams with flying colours, beginning in early December 2013. Find out more.

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Server and Tools:
Register now >

  • Day 1 – Monday 4 November (2pm)
    Exam 70-247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
  • Day 2 – Tuesday 5 November (12pm)
    Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
  • Day 3 – Wednesday 6 November (12pm)
    Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
  • Day 4 – Thursday 7 November (12pm)
    Exam 70-688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8
  • Day 5 – Friday 8 November (12pm)
    Exam 70-487: Developing Windows Azure and Web Services

Register now for the Server and Tools sessions >

Business Productivity:
Register now >

  • Day 1 – Monday 4 November (12pm)
    Exam 70-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
  • Day 2 – Tuesday 5 November (2pm)
    Exam 70-337: Enterprise Voice & Online Services with Microsoft Lync Server 2013
  • Day 3 – Wednesday 6 November (2pm)
    Exam 70-341: Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
  • Day 4 – Thursday 7 November (2pm)
    Exam 74-325: Administering Office 365 for Small Business
  • Day 5 – Friday 8 November (2pm)
    Exam 70-321: Deploying Office 365

Register now for the Business Productivity sessions >

New Horizons Windows Azure Seminar

Together with New Horizons, Microsoft have arranged complimentary training all about Windows Azure Infrastructure Services. You will learn about Windows Azure Virtual Machines, Virtual Networking, and how to manage it all. This session is a must for IT professionals in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane – but sign up now, because seats will certainly go fast!

Event Highlights:

  • Explore the capabilities and benefits of Windows Azure
  • Learn how to meet growing demands with limited resources
  • Discover the secrets to reducing IT costs while increasing scalability, & flexibility
  • Understand how to build applications across a global network
  • Master seamless public cloud – existing IT environment integration
  • Stay relevant in the constantly evolving world of Cloud Computing

Audience:

  • Network Managers
  • IT/Infrastructure Managers
  • Info. Services Managers
  • Chief Operations Officers
  • Cloud Systems Manager
  • Cloud Alliance Managers
  • Cloud Computing Architect

LOCATIONS & DATES:

SYDNEY: Tue, 18th June, 2013
Microsoft – Sydney, North Ryde, NSW (Map)
8:30am – 10:00am
10:30am – 12:00pm

BRISBANE: Wed, 19th June, 2013
Microsoft – Brisbane, Brisbane City, QLD (Map)
10:00am – 11:30am

MELBOURNE: Fri, 21st June, 2013
Microsoft – Melbourne, Southbank, VIC (Map)
9:00am – 10:30am

Register: http://www.nhaustralia.com.au/events/Event-Details?e=577

Azure IT Pro Training

Learn about the latest capabilities with the newest Windows Azure release! This Jump Start training focuses on key technical topics including Windows Azure Virtual Machines, Virtual Networks and PaaS implementation for IT Pros.

David Tesar (Azure Technical Evangelist) and David Aiken (Azure Group Technical Product Manager) show how you can use Windows Azure Infrastructure Services, such as Virtual Machines and Virtual Networks, to migrate, extend, run, manage and monitor common workloads in the cloud.

Download the course contest and sit the assessment at no charge at http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-azure-for-it-professionals-jump-start

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Windows Azure Partner Training Webinars

Please join us for this series of Partner webinars delivered by our Global Partner Services Team. You will learn about the many new features available in Windows Azure as well as the opportunities for Microsoft Partners.

You may either register for the series or for an individual session.

Session Title Objective Date & Time Registration / Download Link
WINDOWS AZURE OVERVIEW You will receive a high level understanding about all of the services that are part of the Windows Azure platform. 16 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
INTRODUCTION TO INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE You will learn about The Cloud Landscape • Types of Cloud offerings • Introduction to Windows Azure VMs • Understanding regions and Affinity groups • Creating Virtual Machines • The Virtual Machine Costing structure • Demo: Host a load balanced ASP.NET application 23 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
AZURE STORAGE You will learn about Windows Azure Storage Concepts • Using Tables • Using Blobs • Using Queues • Monitoring storage from Management 30 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
MIGRATING WORKLOADS TO AZURE VIRTUAL MACHINES How to deploy apps to VMs to Windows Azure 6 June, 2pm-4pm Webinar, slides and HOL
BUILDING HYBRID APPS You will learn the various scenarios our customers face and what tools and techniques are available. 13 June, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
SITE TO SITE VIRTUAL NETWORKS

You will learn about how to setup and configure a Vnet,build hybrid solutions using VPNs to connect to data on premises. A way to reduce your storage and archive costs with a cloud solution that can save you 60 – 80% compared to your current costs?

· A more effective, cost efficient way to manage BIG file archives and repositories (SharePoint)?

· A more effective, cost efficient way to manage the massive amount of content in BIG file shares?

· A way to replace tape as a means of offsite data protection – backup and restore?

20 June, 2pm-4pm Register now >

6 Weeks of Windows Azure Australia

Register for our 6 Weeks of Windows Azure training program to learn how to go from Cloud zero to Cloud hero. Each week will be themed around a different aspect of adopting the cloud – // Design / Build / Test / Market / Sell. And the best bit is … you won’t need to leave your office to take part as we will be delivering the majority through interactive webinars with a smidgen of really impactful sessions which will take place at various places around the country.

We are planning two tracks: Technical and Business. The Microsoft and Industry Speakers are about to be announced from Microsoft, but if you want to be involved as a speaker or as a member of the community, please let us know.