Brian S. Tucker

Nominations now being accepted for the Systems Management Server 2003
Service Pack 3 Enterprise Customer TAP Program

What is in Systems Management Server SP3

Microsoft's Systems Management Server Service Pack 3 contains support for
the client installation on Windows Vista and Windows 'Longhorn' Server.
Service Pack 3 will also provide support for ITMU's use of multiple CAB
files while performing scans.

Service Pack 3 will also be introducing SMS 2003 Asset Advisor.  SMS 2003
Asset Advisor is based off of technology that was recently acquired with the
acquisition of Asset Metrix.  The Asset Advisor will be adding several new
WMI providers on the client machine as well as enabling some SMS_Def.mof
changes.  These client side changes are necessary to provide SMS with client
side information that it needs to run a series of software license
management reports.  SMS 2003 Asset Advisor will be introducing 35 new drill
down reports.  These reports will focus on software reporting, hardware
reporting and Microsoft license management.

The TAP program will not be accepting customers requiring language specific
versions of SMS 2003 SP3 at this time.

What is the Microsoft Technology Adoption Program (TAP)

The Microsoft TAP program is designed to provide our customers with access
to pre-release code.  The customers enrolled in the SMS 2003 SP3 TAP program
will be deploying the pre-release versions of the service pack and Asset
Advisor to their production environments.

Program Benefits:

·         A head start in the next deployment cycle, taking advantage of new
and enhanced features available in Systems Management Server 2003 SP3.

·         A dedicated Program Manager contact in the Systems Management
Server Product Group.

·         Regularly scheduled conference calls with a member of the SMS
Team. Discussions will include deployment planning, feedback, feature review
presentations from members of the Product Group, and other customer driven
topics.

·         Production certified pre-release builds of the product.

·         Program participants are kept up to date using
connect.microsoft.com

·         Onsite visits from members of the product group at key deployment
milestones in the program.

·         Support and deployment guidance from the Systems Management Server
Product Group, as well as 24x7 support for production deployment issues.

Program Requirements:

·         Prior to program participation, have a signed TAP Agreement
(sample attached) and Systems Management Server TAP Program description
(attached) on file with Microsoft.

·         Commit to providing resources for the duration of the program.

·         Provide a deployment  plan.

·         Deploy Systems Management Server 2003 SP3 client to 1000 or more
computers within 14 days of Beta availability; Upgrade server and managed
clients at any additional pre-release milestone within 14 days of
availability.

·         Upgrade to the RTM version of Systems Management Server 2003 SP3
within 30 days of RTM availability.

·         Participate in public relations activities as identified in the
TAP agreement and the Systems Management Server 2003 SP3 Program
description.

·         Have a Microsoft Premier Support contract which includes a
Microsoft Technical Account Manager resource.

·         An existing Systems Management Server installation, Service Pack 2
of Systems Management Server 2003 must be installed with SQL 2005.

·         Have a wide variety of Microsoft and third party vendor software
installed on client machines.

·         Deploy modified SMS_Def.mof files within 14 days of  milestone
builds to 2000 clients.

Participant Selection:

Priority will be given to those who validate functionality in production for
at least three of the following scenarios:

·         Deploy SMS 2003 SP3 to 2000 or more clients at each milestone
build

·         Deploy modified SMS_Def.mof files to 2000 or more clients

·         Enable new WMI provides on 2000 or more clients

·         Currently are managing Windows Vista production clients

·         Are currently using ITMU for software updates

·         Able to participate in public relations activities

Program Timetable (all dates are estimates and subject to change)

     Month of Sept/early October
    Initial Nomination period
    Submission of Nomination Surveys by or on behalf of interested
customers.

     By October 15th
    Selection
    Customers selected for the program are notified and given information
regarding initial participation.

     By late-October
    Legal Agreements signed
    If organization does not have a TAP Agreement with Microsoft, a signed
TAP Agreement and Program Description must be returned.

     November 06
    Beta
    Deployment in production environment.  Committed number of client
agents deployed within 14 days of Beta availability. Product validation and
feedback submitted.

     January 07
    RC
    Deployment in production environment.  Committed number of client
agents deployed within 14 days of RC availability. Product validation and
feedback submitted.

     March 07
    Release to Manufacturing
    Upgrade to RTM build and enterprise-wide deployment.

How to Submit a Nomination

Just followed the link provided and complete the survey.  Nominations will
be accepted now - September 29th.  Microsoft will contact prospective TAP
customers by October 17th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=377402472225

Have a Question?

If  you have any questions concerning this email or the nomination process
please send an email to smscust@microsoft.com.

More Information on:

Systems Management Server - http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/default.mspx

Systems Management Server Service Packs -
http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/default.mspx

Connect.microsoft.com - http://connect.microsoft.com/intro.aspx

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