SharePoint (Online) blog for Microsoft Partners

Register now: SharePoint 2013 WCM Bootcamp

SharePoint 2013 offers new and improved capabilities for building public-facing websites. Find out how to leverage those capabilities to build modern public-facing websites during the SharePoint 2013 WCM Bootcamp on Tuesday June 11.

About this event

During the SharePoint 2013 WCM Bootcamp you will learn how to build websites using responsive web design and bring your website to live using the SharePoint 2013 content publishing capabilities. Additionally you will learn how to plan, design and build websites by making the best use of the new functionality that SharePoint 2013 offers you.

Agenda

The SharePoint 2013 WCM Bootcamp will start with a Keynote delivered by Fredrik Holm. Thereafter, we will split into two tracks, one for web designers and one for architects/developers.

The Web Design Track, Josh Stickler

Designers will begin with building the website from static HTML prototype. Then we will learn about lifecycle of a website and how Design Manager can help them support different scenarios. Following this, we will go a bit deeper into interacting with data from SharePoint and customizing the look. The we will dive a little more into JS and show how web designers can use this to work with jQuery UI widgets.

The Architect /Developer Track, Waldek Mastykarz

This track will start with the branded website which will be built during session #3 on the Design Track. We will show the branding and explain what needs to be achieved. Then we will discuss the different publishing models SP2013 offers and show some relevant good practices. We will then move to cross-site publishing including multilingual websites. The next step will be to make the website respond to feedback from the visitors through user segments. Finally we will explore some concepts that allow you to build a really intelligent website.

We will finish the day together with a recap of what we have done hoping to inspire you by showing the coolest capabilities from some of the SharePoint 013 websites that are already live today.

Important Registration Details

Space is limited. RSVP ASAP!

Office 365 sales guidance for partners now on MPN!

The latest Office 365 sales guidance for partners is now available thru MPN! If you are new to selling Office 365 or are currently selling and want to understand the new approaches that Microsoft is recommending then this content is for you:

Register now for the new Practice Accelerator for Microsoft Office 365 in May and June

Be sure you’re ready to help your customers make the move to the cloud with Practice Accelerator for Microsoft Office 365. Register now for the sessions in May and June via https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/Pages/Training/practice-accelerator-for-office-365.aspx

Practice Accelerator provides intermediate- to advanced-level training in Office 365 solutions. Practice Accelerator for Office 365 is designed for Cloud Accelerate and Cloud Essentials partners who are planning to deploy Office 365 in environments with fewer than 2,400 seats. Ideal participants for this offering are project personnel with technical backgrounds, such as those in technical project management, technical consulting, or technical support.

In addition to the presentations, demonstrations, on-demand sessions, and discussions, you are expected to practice on your own, by using existing Cloud Partner demo environments or by deploying hybrid or single sign-on (SSO) environments on your own machine with a self-created virtual machine.

Course outline

Session one (3-hour online training session)

• Introduction to Office 365
• Office 365 SKUs and plans
• Deployment phases
• Microsoft Online Services Portal (MOSP)
• Key predeployment considerations

Session two (3-hour online training session)

• Customer environment discovery
• Networking and naming services planning
• User identity and account provisioning planning
• Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Lync Online planning
• Client and end-user experience

Session three (4 to 6 hours of on-demand training)

• Networking and naming services tasks
• User identity and account provisioning tasks
• Deploying directory synchronization
• Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Lync Online preparation

Session four (4-hour online training session)

• Post-migration infrastructure optimization
• Maintenance and administration
• Additional managed service opportunities
• FAQ and handouts

About this Practice Accelerator

• Delivery format: A combination of on-demand and instructor-led online training sessions over a five business-day period. Select a language from the options listed in the “Register now” section for specific dates and times.
• Cost: If you are a Cloud Accelerate member or Cloud Essentials partner, you can register for Practice Accelerator for Microsoft Office 365 at no cost. Otherwise five partner advisory hours will be deducted from your company’s account when you register.
• What you get: Reusable tools and templates that can be used in customer engagements. Review the Practice Accelerator for Office 365 data sheet for a complete list.

SharePoint & Office 365 Deployment Planning Services; now available

Now Available! Software Assurance Planning Services – one of the most-utilized benefits – now has Office 2013 engagements available to help your customers determine how best to deploy the latest Office products.

Engagements are now available for Office 2013, SharePoint 2013, Lync 2013, and Exchange 2013 as well as engagements to explore migrating to Office 365.  Help your customers discover the benefits of deploying the latest products with qualified partners.

More information on these new planning services can be found here:

• SharePoint (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/planning-services-overview.aspx#tab=6)
• Lync and Exchange (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/planning-services-overview.aspx#tab=3)

Please visit the SA Planning Services Partner Portal for more information about the requirements and registration steps to become a qualified partner.

TechNet Masterclass - SharePoint 2013 voor architecten

Eén van de meest succesvolle masterclasses van de Microsoft University is nu geupdate: SharePoint 2013 voor Architecten. In twee dagen helemaal thuis in de nieuwe SharePoint.

Programma in hoofdlijnen:

Dag 1

• Practical SharePoint architectures
• Upgrading to SharePoint 2013
• Enterprise Content Management
• SharePoint Search

Dag 2

• Web Content Management
• SharePoint Apps
• Social Collaboration
• Workflow

22 en 23 mei a.s. is de eerst volgende delivery van deze masterclass. Zie voor meer informatie en inschrijflink: http://www.microsoft.com/netherlands/evenementen/event.aspx?eventid=266&date=20100921.

Office Ignite Sales and Technical Content Available for Partners on MPN

The Office Ignite Sales and Technical content is now available for partners with MPN credentials on the Partner Learning Center (PLC). Each session module features a video recording of the session content delivered at a recent Ignite event and the accompanying slide deck.

The Office Ignite Sales modules provide partners with the insights, resources and tools to sell the new Office to SMB and Enterprise customers.  Partners learn current best practices, selling programs and tools to sell Office, Office 365 and Exchange.

The Office Ignite Sales Modules include:

• Office 365: Partnering with Microsoft
• Overview of the Office 365 Sales Process
• Building an Office 365 Deployment Practice
• New Office: Accelerate Sales with the Customer Immersion Experience
• Selling with Microsoft - An Overview of the Sales Organization
• Accelerating Sales with the Specialist Team Unit (STU)
• Office 365 – Next Generation Onboarding
• Office 365 - Microsoft People Resources for Partners
• Office 365 - Selling to Corporate Accounts

The Office Ignite Technical modules are a mix of 300-400 level content requiring both a technical background and experience with prior versions of Office, Office 365 and Exchange.  Partners learn deeper technical knowledge targeted at IT professionals and Exchange administrators who develop, design or deploy for their organizations or customers.

The Office Ignite Technical Modules include:

• Office 365 Technical Overview
• The Office & SharePoint App Model
• Office 365 Deployment Overview
• Office 365 Identity and Access Management
• Office 365 for Mid-Market Customers
• Office 365 Security, Privacy & Trust
• Service Management in Office 365
• Office 365: Understanding Migrations (Part 1)
• Office 365: Understanding Migrations (Part 2)
• Office Telemetry: Accelerate upgrades and empower IT
• Technical Certifications for the new Office
• Office on Mobile Devices
• The New Office: Enterprise Productivity and Collaboration
• The new Exchange: Work Smarter, Anywhere  
• Grow Your Business with the new Project Online
• Exchange Online Protection Overview
• The new Lync: Deploying and Managing Lync Online
• The new Office Web Apps
• The new Visio:  Simplify, Connect and Share
• Office 365 ProPlus Deployment
• Data Loss Prevention in Exchange
• The new Word: Create, Work Together and Enjoy
• Overview of the new SharePoint Online
• The new Exchange: Archiving & eDiscovery
• The new PowerPoint: Design, Work Together and Impress
• The New Excel: Discover, Visualize and Share
• The new OneNote: Digital Note-Taking Across Devices
• The New SharePoint

Great resources to get ready on the new Office!

Learn how to provide Proof of Concepts for Project Online

With the New Office 365 available now, Project Online with Project Pro for Office 365 delivers a flexible online solution for project portfolio management (PPM). Delivered through Office 365, Project Online enables organizations to get started, prioritize project portfolio investments and deliver the intended business value—from virtually anywhere on nearly any device.

To get started with this new Office 365 Services member, we will be running an open conference call on April 12 to introduce any partner wishing to become involved with Project Online and we will hold an open Q&A session for partners to ask question about the process, the opportunity and the technology involved.

To register for this event please following this link: https://join.microsoft.com/meet/i-ianvan/TKGM60LD

The event will take place at April 12 at 16:00 CET and lasts for about 45 minutes.

What’s new in the new Office 365 Capability and Licensing update – 3 april 2013, Microsoft Schiphol

Sinds 27 februari jl. is de nieuwe versie van Office 365 beschikbaar. Deze is gebaseerd op de 2013-versies van SharePoint, Exchange, Lync en Office. Met deze nieuwe release van Microsofts online productiviteitsplatform komt een groot aantal nieuwe mogelijkheden naar de markt. Ook de licentie-structuur kent een aantal belangrijke wijzigingen waar wij u graag over informeren.

Op woensdagmiddag 3 april a.s. brengen wij u tijdens een kennissessie graag op de hoogte van de nieuwe mogelijkheden en licentie structuur van Office 365.

Wat staat er op het programma:

• What’s new in Office 365: Office client, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online en Lync Online, Project Online en Visio Online
• Office & SharePoint apps
• Office 365 Migratie bestaande klanten
• Office 365 licensing update
• Partner of Record: what, why and how
• Q&A en afsluitend een netwerkborrel

Sprekers:

• Frank van der Meer, business development manager Office 365
• Hans van der Meer, product manager Office 365
• Jeroen Jansen, partner technology advisor business productivity
• Eric Dubbelaar, partner technology advisor business productivity

We verwelkomen u graag om 13.00 bij Microsoft te Schiphol. We starten het programma om 13.15 en sluiten om 16.30 uur af met een borrel.

Deze “level 100” kennissessie wordt u kosteloos aangeboden en is bestemd voor sales en pre-sales rollen.

>> Schrijf u hier in!

Het aantal plaatsen voor deze sessies is beperkt, daarom stellen wij een maximum van twee personen per partner.

Tot 3 april bij “What’s new in the new Office 365: Capability and Licensing update” kennissessie!

Updated Office 365 Service Descriptions and Trust Center

The updated service descriptions for the new Office 365 for Business are now available on TechNet. You can find detailed descriptions of the services and features that are available with Office 365 here.

Trust Center, your number 1 location for security and privacy related questions on Office 365 is also updated with new information based on the New Office 365. You can find all information here.

To learn more about privacy and security at Microsoft, review these documents. They include the Microsoft response to questions suggested by the Cloud Security Alliance fur customers seeking a cloud provider.

New Office 365 Visio stencils

New Visio stencils for The New Office 365 are now available for download here!  Use these for customer deliverables, blog posts, and presentations.

About the stencils:

“Creating visual representations of your Microsoft Office and Office 365 architectures, including Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync is a helpful way to communicate your deployment. This Visio stencil provides more than 300 icons -- many depicting servers, server roles, services and applications -- that you can use in architecture diagrams, charts, and posters. These icons are primarily centered around deployments of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Microsoft Lync Server 2013, and Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 as well as hybrid Office 365 deployments of aforementioned technologies.”

Download here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36448.

Uitnodiging SQL Server 2012 and SharePoint 2013 – Better Together

Met de introducties van SQL Server 2012 en SharePoint Server 2013 brengt Microsoft ingrijpende verbeteringen en innovaties naar de markt op het gebied van content management, business intelligence, bedrijfskritische toepassingen en hybride cloud implementaties.

Tijdens twee interactieve kennissessie brengen wij u graag op de hoogte van deze nieuwe mogelijkheden en de voordelen van het gebruik van SQL Server 2012 in combinatie met SharePoint Server 2013.

Wat staat er op het programma

• Business Intelligence met SQL Server 2012 en SharePoint Server 2013
• Performance verbetering, High availability en Disaster Recovery met SQL Server 2012
• Licensing overview van SQL Server 2012
• Hybride Cloud implementaties SQL Server 2012 en SQL Azure
• Q&A en afsluitend een netwerkborrel

Sprekers

• Michiel Rozema, Product Marketing Manager SQL Server
• Jeroen ter Heerdt, Technology Advisor Data Platform
• Eric Dubbelaar, Partner Technology Advisor Business Productivity

Doelgroep en technisch niveau

Deze “level 300” kennissessie is bestemd voor architecten en pre-sales consultants.

Datum en locatie

Sessie 1: Woensdag 27 februari a.s. (Deze sessie is reeds VOL)

Sessie 2: Woensdag 20 maart a.s. Ontvangst om 09.00 uur. Het programma start om 09.15 uur en duurt tot 12.30 uur. (Nog enkele plaatsen beschikbaar).

Locatie: Microsoft Nederland BV, Evert van de Beek straat 354, Schiphol

Kosten en inschrijving

Deze kennissessie wordt u kosteloos aangeboden door Microsoft. U kunt zich aanmelden door een e-mail te sturen naar Eric Dubbelaar. Het aantal plaatsen voor deze sessies is beperkt, daarom stellen wij een maximum van twee personen per partner.

Wij verwelkomen u graag op de “SQL Server 2012 en SharePoint 2013 - Better Together” kennissessie!

IGNITE PLUS: Office Partner Launch & Readiness Invitation - January 22 – 24, 2013, Microsoft Campus Redmond, USA

Although this event will take place at a short notice, I still want to share this great readiness opportunity with you. We are hosting a Ingite Plus training on Campus in Redmond. This free 3-day training addresses both Sales & Technical aspects of the New Office. Read more below.

Are you ready for the NEW Office 2013 & Office 365 cloud services? Jump start your readiness by attending this exclusive premier partner pre-launch event. Register now as space is limited!

The event will be held at the Microsoft Corporate campus, in Redmond, WA, USA. Come discuss both the new technical capabilities of this release as well as partner business opportunities. The event will feature presentations, demonstrations, and ample time for discussion with experts from the Microsoft Office Division and the Microsoft Partner Network.

Technical and sales readiness topics on the agenda will include:

We invite Technical and Sales professions from your organization to join us to celebrate this exciting release and prepare for a great 2013! Register now!

Important Registration Details

Space is limited.  RSVP today!

If you have any questions or require additional assistance with your registration, please contact our registration team via email at ignitepl@microsoft.com or the following phone numbers +1 (800) 528-1668 or +1 (360) 253-2971 during the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday.

Coming soon to your Office 365 tenant: Service Update 4 – Be prepared

Within the next comings weeks, we will begin delivering a service update of new features to SharePoint Online. This service update will do two things, one of which you will see right away, the other of which will take some time.

First, we want you to have access to many of the new features from Office Web Apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) that you can see today in the preview of the next version of Office and described below.

Second, this service update prepares Office 365 for a major service update coming later this year that will deliver new features and new functionality, including broader support for mobile phones and tablets, a unified experience in the browser, social networking, and more.

All customers receive a e-mail notification prior to this update to inform you about the timing of your update. Because after Service Update 4, Internet Explorer 7.0 is no longer supported, we will also inform you if our monitoring systems still see IE7-activities within your tenant.

New features in Office Web Apps
Using web-based versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote you can view, edit, and work together on Office documents from nearly anywhere. And with the latest update, you’ll get more editing and formatting controls, co-authoring support across the web apps and expanded device support, including editing from tablets.

• Word Web App updates: See graphics, images, and layout with excellent fidelity, including new support for viewing and adding comments. Format and design documents in your browser with commonly used features from Word on the desktop, including new page layout tools, picture tools and word count. New co-authoring and comment support in Word Web App makes it easier to work together on the web.
• Excel Web App updates: Get essential spreadsheet features, such as merge cells, context menus, auto-fit columns, formula assistance, fill handle, and AutoSum. Manipulate and visualize data for deeper insights with support for high fidelity charts (including 3D), improved Query Table and Data Validation support, Slicer functionality, and Pivot Chart interactivity.
• PowerPoint Web App updates: Presentations on the web look as good as they do on the desktop, with high-resolution slides, full transitions, and viewable comments. Audio and video playback is now supported, even from a tablet or phone. Drag-and-drop support makes layout tasks easier. The ability to insert video, apply transitions and animations, or add a pre-designed theme helps you polish browser presentations. And new co-authoring and comment support in PowerPoint Web App improves collaboration in the cloud.
• OneNote Web App updates: OneNote users can find what they need more easily with the ability to search on a page or within a section. New support for ink viewing makes more information accessible from the web. Just click to type anywhere on the page and add a note, picture, or tag. Notes can now be shared as a URL, and they’re viewable through a browser on phone, PC, or tablet.

Learn about the new features.

What to expect during the service update
There are three things you may encounter during the planned maintenance period between 3-Jan-13 and 3-May-13.

1. There may be moments when administrative functions (such as granting permissions or creating new document libraries) will be temporarily disabled. These should be brief, but could last up to 30 minutes.
2. New documents that are added to SharePoint between 3-Jan-13 and 3-May-13 won’t be indexed for searching during the maintenance period. Indexing will resume on 3-May-13, and documents that were added during the maintenance period will be indexed at that time.
3. SharePoint content will be read-only for up to 30 minutes. This will only happen once.

End of support for Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 7 is not compatible with the updates to Office Web Apps. For the best user experience, Office 365 users should continue to use a modern web browser. See the Admin Task Wiki for information about support for Internet Explorer 7.

Known issues
This article lists the known issues that you may encounter because of the update.

Questions about this service update? Visit the Service Update Wiki for all the answers.

DevCamp: Build apps for Office and SharePoint, 7 & 8 February in A’dam

What if you could build Microsoft Office and SharePoint 2013 productivity solutions using standard web technologies and distribute them to millions worldwide from the Office Store on Office.com? Well, you can!

Come to a DevCamp offered by Microsoft and learn how.

About this event:

• Level 300, technical audiences (Architects / Web Developers)
• Building apps for Office and SharePoint (Office 365 SharePoint Online)
• Learn about using web technologies to build apps with the cloud app model
• Getting your apps into the Office Store

Want to learn more about apps for Office and apps for SharePoint? Visit dev.office.com.

Fees:

This event is free of charge but you must be registered to attend. Attendees are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel and accommodation. Meals will be provided.

How to Register

To sign up for a DevCamp, please click here and select an event of your choice. We will host a DevCamp on 7 & 8 February in Amsterdam. This invitation does not guarantee a seat. You will receive notification regarding the status of your registration within 5 business days after your registration is received. Please be aware that due to limited seats registration will be restricted to two individuals per company.

New MPN Competency: Collaboration and Content

With more than 125 million licenses sold, Microsoft SharePoint is one of the most popular server products in Microsoft history. The Microsoft Collaboration and Content competency, which launches in November 2012, is a merger of the Portals and Collaboration, Content Management, and Search competencies.

Partners who are active in any of the previous SharePoint competencies or the Digital Marketing competency will automatically be moved into the new Collaboration and Content competency.

If you are active in the Digital Marketing competency today and would like to be part of both the Collaboration and Content and the re-launched Digital Marketing competency, please contact your local Regional Service Center (RSC) and they will facilitate the change. You will have until your next anniversary date to meet the new Digital Marketing requirements.

New partners must meet the exam requirements detailed below.

Why did you change the competencies?

This merger provides partners with the opportunity to deliver solutions for customers that make it easier for people to work together using a single, extensible platform for intranet, extranet, and Internet applications, both on premise and in the cloud.

What’s in it for partners?

• Helps you simplify the way you manage your relationship with Microsoft. A large number of partners have multiple SharePoint-focused competencies today. Merging the competencies will simplify management of that relationship through the Microsoft Partner Network.
• Helps you deliver solutions for your customers that make it easier for people to work together, to think beyond initial collaboration deployments and realize the full business value of their SharePoint investment
• Offers a wealth of program benefits and resources, including the opportunity for a direct relationship with Microsoft.

Requirement changes

Effective NOVEMBER 2012

(The same requirements effective today for Portals and Collaboration and Content Management competencies will be in place for the Collaboration and Content competency when it launches.)

Silver competency:

Two individuals must pass one of the following exams:

• Exam 70-573: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development
• Exam 70-576: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications
• Exam 70-667: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring
• Exam 70-668: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator

GOLD competency:

Four individuals must each pass one of the following exams:

• Exam 70-573: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development
• Exam 70-576: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications
• Exam 70-667: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring
• Exam 70-668: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator

or

Four individuals must each have one of the following certifications

• MCM: Office SharePoint Server 2010
• MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010
• MCPD: SharePoint Developer 2010

What about SharePoint 2013?

Exams and certifications for SharePoint 2013 are now starting to be released (MCSE: SharePoint Certification Overview), and new exams will be added as options to the Collaboration and Content competency requirements soon. We are also releasing an updated sales assessment. Use the Collaboration and Content learning path to get an at-a-glance view of the competency exam and assessment requirements and associated training, and watch for updates.