Loving the Big Picture!

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I had a great time at the Big Picture in Melbourne and Sydney is tomorrow. No event is ever perfect, but the team did a great job creating this new style of event. I really hope we continue this format in the future.

Here are some tips to get the most out of the event:

1) Review the Agenda and Sessions and if there’s a session you like, get in quick. The early sessions full up quickly. Or hang out until the afternoon as there’s plenty of room. Download the full agenda | Download the event guide

2) When you arrive, make a note of the areas you’re interested in and see which Microsoft people are in the room. If you need an introduction, please shout.

3) If you’re with a colleague, maybe split up as you’ll cover more ground.

4) Preinstall a QR code readeron your device so you can build your digital back pack.

5) Create yourself an electronic business tag using a QR code generator or Microsoft tag, especially if you don’t have any business cards handy :)

6) If you have a question or can’t find someone, please let one of us know.

Cloud is featured at the event, both in the Mission Control (how to manage your infrastructure) and the Productivity areas. Hope to see you there!

Event website is: http://www.microsoft.com/australia/thebigpicture

Pictures from the event are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/microsoftaustralia/

[Update: Tim Buntel has uploaded his slides to his slideshare]

How SaaS Changes and ISVs Business Model

David Chappell, Principal of Chappell & Associates in San Francisco, visited Australia last month to deliver his latest Cloud deck. Part of this presentation was “How SaaS Changes and ISVs Business Model”. David has also recommended some additional reading and recorded a number of short videos to help think through some of the challenges ISVs face when creating software as a service.

Video Series: How SaaS Changes an ISV’s Business, David Chappell

Further reading:

Windows Azure Conf: 14 November 2012

AzureConf Logo

November 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST (which is 3am for Aussies according to timeanddate.com)
Channel 9
Download the .ICS file and add it to your schedule

The Windows AzureConf web site will be updated continually between now and the event, so check the site regularly for session list updates or information pertaining to the event. On the day of the event, the Windows AzureConf web site will have a direct link to the Channel 9 site for the event and hopefully an on demand version for when Australia wakes up.

Get on the Platform
With Windows AzureConf coming to introduce you to creative ways in which Windows Azure can help solve your enterprise, mobile, virtualization, and web development challenges, this is the best time to sign up for a free Windows Azure account. To sign up for a free trial account and to have access to numerous free resources such as Windows Azure Web Sites, click here.

Get Prepared
If you’re new to Windows Azure development and want to get up to speed prior to the event, take a look at the Windows Azure Training Kit. The Training Kit contains dozens of excellent resources on Windows Azure Web Sites, Mobile Services, the Windows Azure Service Bus, Windows Azure Storage, and much more.

Get the Tools
To start developing applications for Windows Azure, visit the Windows Azure Developer Center. It contains a wealth of information on developing Windows Azure solutions using a variety of technologies. Whether you’re using Microsoft.NET, PHP, Node.js, or Python to develop custom web applications, or you’re a mobile solutions developer, there’s information and development resources available.

August 2012 Training Catalogue

The latest technical training catalogue has been published for Windows 8, SQL Server and Windows Azure.

Product,   Technology, Solution Training title Date Time URL
Windows   8 Windows 8   Product Pricing, SKUs and SA Overview (L200) 30/07/2012 5 – 6pm Register
SQL Server Practice Accelerator:   Business Intelligence 30/07/2012 12:30 Register
Windows   8 Getting   Started:  Windows 8 Product and Program Overview 2 (L100)* 1/08/2012 5 – 6pm Register
Windows   8 Preview Ask   the Expert: Desktop 10/08/2012 10-11am Register
Visual   Studio
Windows Azure
Ask The Expert: Software   Development 14/08/2012 12-1pm Register
SQL   Server 2012 Ask   The Expert: BI and Data Platform 15/08/2012 2-3pm Register
Windows   8 Getting   Started:  Windows 8 Product and Program Overview (L100) 20/08/2012 5 – 6pm Register
Windows   8 Product   Pricing, SKUs and SA Overview 2 (L200)* 3/09/2012 5 – 6pm Register
Windows   8 Windows 8 Customer Scenarios   (L300) 5/09/2012 5 – 6pm Register
SQL Server Practice Accelerator: Business Intelligence 10/09/2012 12:30 Register
SQL Server Practice Accelerator: Datacenter Management 24/09/2012 12:30 Register
.NET Exam Prep 70-511: TS: Windows   Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4 26/09/2012 3-5pm Register
SQL Server 2008 R2 Exam Prep 70-432: TS: Microsoft   SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance 27/09/2012 3-5pm Register
Visual Studio
Windows Azure
Ask The Expert: Software   Development 2/10/2012 12-1pm Register
SQL Server 2012 Exam   Preparation for 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases 4/10/2012 3-5pm Register
SQL Server 2012 Ask   The Expert: BI and Data Platform 10/10/2012 12-1pm Register
Windows Azure Exam   Prep 70-583: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Azure Applications 26/10/2012 2-4pm Register

Imagine Cup Invitation

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Join us for a celebration of incredible ideas and innovation at the Microsoft Imagine Cup Worldwide 2012 Finals. The finals bring together over 400 of the most talented students from 107 countries to showcase their world-changing solutions and to compete for the worldwide title.

Arrive early to meet the students and mentors at The Imagine Cup Showcase and be part of the celebration.

When: Tuesday 10th July 2012 | Showcase: 2–4pm | The World Festival: 4–6.30pm Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
Seats are strictly limited. Reserve your complimentary ticket here.