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• Windows Azure Platform Readiness Assessment using MAP 5.5

  We launched MAP 5.5 couple of weeks ago. In the last blog, we explored on the Internet Explorer discovery scenario within the context of Windows7 deployment. In MAP 5.5, we extended the scope of MAP toolkit beyond the traditional server and desktop hardware... Posted Feb 18 2011, 02:02 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Security, Windows, SQL, Virtualization, Linux, Hardware Assessment, infrastructure, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, demo, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Online Services, ipd, PC Security, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008, MAP Toolkit, IPD Guides, Azure, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Office 2010, SQL Azure, Windows Azure Platform, windows desktop

• Migration planning made easier with MAP Toolkit 5.5

  We are pleased to announce the next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit-version 5.5- is now available for download. Download MAP 5.5 Simplify planning for migration to the latest Microsoft products and technologies with the... Posted Jan 17 2011, 06:00 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Security, Exchange, Windows, SQL, Virtualization, Linux, IBM, Hardware Assessment, infrastructure, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, demo, Deployment Tools, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Online Services, ipd, MAP Toolkit, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Office 2010, windows desktop

• Introduction to MAP Toolkit 5.0 and an overview screencast

  In the last couple of posts, I discussed SQL server discovery feature as well as Software Usage tracking feature of MAP toolkit. In this blog, I would like to introduce you to some of the technical specifics of the MAP toolkit. What the MAP Toolkit Does... Posted Sep 09 2010, 02:08 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, SQL, Virtualization, Linux, Hardware Assessment, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Office 2010, windows desktop

• Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Windows User State Virtualization – Now Available!

  The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) team has released a new guide: Windows User State Virtualization (USV). The Infrastructure Planning and Design guide for Windows User State Virtualization (USV) helps IT get started with planning a Windows... Posted Sep 01 2010, 02:33 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Virtualization, infrastructure, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, windows desktop

• SQL Server Consolidation Report in MAP 5.0

  We have announced the general availability of MAP 5.0 during worldwide partner conference (WPC). We are excited to see strong response and following to MAP 5.0. In this blog, we would like to explore "SQL Server Consolidation report", one of... Posted Jul 26 2010, 02:59 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, SQL, Virtualization, Linux, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Office 2010, windows desktop

• Use the MAP 5.0 Beta Toolkit to track software usage & licensing for Exchange Servers

  One of the newest features in development for the MAP Toolkit is the ability to track usage data for Microsoft products. With the MAP Toolkit 5.0 Beta, you can intelligently track usage to determine your licensing needs for Exchange Server 2003 and 2007... Posted Jun 23 2010, 09:46 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Exchange, Windows, SQL, Linux, Hardware Assessment, infrastructure, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Office 2010

• License Compliance using Software Usage Tracking feature of MAP 5.0

  MAP 5.0 beta 2 software is coming soon!! Have you ever assessed the software usage levels by users and devices in your IT environment? How do you manage license compliance and Software Asset Management process? Software Usage Tracking is a unique feature... Posted May 17 2010, 12:42 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Hardware Assessment, infrastructure, demo, Solution Accelerators, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit

• Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 5.0 Beta 1 now open!

  We’re happy to announce that the beta for the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.0 is now open. We encourage you to join the beta review program and help influence the development of the toolkit. To participate, register for the MAP Toolkit... Posted Mar 16 2010, 12:28 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, SQL, Virtualization, Linux, Hardware Assessment, infrastructure, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Microsoft Online Services, PC Security, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools

• IBM Hardware Pack for Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, v1.1.

  Our friends at IBM have been working hard to provide customers direct insight into IBM Hardware, and guidance for consolidated workloads for IBM System X and Blade servers using MAP 4.0. Take a look at the announcement. I am very proud to announce that... Posted Nov 21 2009, 02:04 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: IBM, Hardware Assessment, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit

• Learn more about MAP 4.0

  Check out this great article on MAP v4 This article explains the new features in MAP v4 including instructions on how users can fine tune their hardware assessments for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 to their own hardware profiles. Additionally... Posted Nov 10 2009, 10:22 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Microsoft application Virtualization, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Windows 7 Deployment Tools

• 7 Deployment Tools for Windows 7

  Today, Windows 7 is released to cities around the world. Are you thinking about migrating your PCs to Windows 7 for your organizations? To help you with deploying Windows 7 successfully and quickly, Microsoft has been developing lots of great tools and... Posted Oct 22 2009, 12:37 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Security, Windows, Microsoft, Virtualization, Desktop Deployment, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, Windows Deployment Services, Application Virtualization, Windows 7, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, MAP, Virtualization Solution Accelerators, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Desktop Virtualization, ipd, App-V, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, med-v, Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios, Desktop Deployment Tools, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Security Compliance Management Toolkit, Windows 7 Solution Accelerators, Windows Optimized Desktop Toolkit, Baldwin Ng

• Windows 7: The 10 Things to Do First for Windows 7

  Are you getting ready for Windows 7? Read the latest TechNet Magazine article, The 10 Things to Do First for Windows 7 , by Bill Boswell. Learn from the expert on how you can use tools like the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) for Windows... Posted Oct 17 2009, 01:33 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, TechNet Magazine, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, TechNet Magazine articles, MAP Toolkit, Baldwin Ng

• [News!] Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 5.0 In Development (Beta Program Now Open)

  The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 5.0 Beta Program is now open for registration. This upcoming release of MAP Toolkit will offer new areas including on potential scenarios such as helping customers address desktop migration to Office 2010... Posted Oct 06 2009, 04:04 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Linux, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, Beta Announcements, Office 2010, Baldwin Ng

• [Video Demo] Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Demo #1 – Windows 7 Hardware Assessments

  The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit makes it easier for you to determine if your existing Windows PCs are compatible for Windows 7 upgrade. Use this free toolkit to conduct a quick network-wide assessment now. 1) Download the MAP Toolkit... Posted Sep 30 2009, 01:44 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Video, Windows, Windows Vista, Microsoft, Hardware Assessment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, demo, Solution Accelerators, IT Professionals, Windows 7, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, IT Management, video demo, MAP Toolkit, IT Managers, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, Baldwin Ng

• [RTM News] Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit for IBM

  Today, the Solution Accelerators Team is pleased to announce the release of the initial version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for IBM . This release, based on the MAP Toolkit platform, was developed by IBM at the IBM Center for... Posted Sep 21 2009, 05:48 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: news, Microsoft, IBM, Hardware Assessment, OEM, Solution Accelerators, rtm, Hyper-V, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, ipd, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, RTM Announcements, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Baldwin Ng

• [News!] Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) Launching on Facebook

  The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) Facebook Group Page is now launched. Join this community site to share your ideas with other MAP users on how to use the MAP Toolkit for your IT planning and deployment projects for a variety of products... Posted Sep 10 2009, 07:58 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Desktop Deployment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, Facebook, Windows Server 2008, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Desktop Deployment Tools, Windows 7 Deployment Tools

• [Microsoft Partners] Free Web Seminar on How to Plan for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V Projects

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V Are you interested in helping your customers reduce cost in your datacenter? Considering upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V technologies.Starting this week, Microsoft will host 4 web seminars for Microsoft... Posted Aug 19 2009, 12:48 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Webcast, news, Windows, virtualisation, Webcasts, Virtualization, Hardware Assessment, Microsoft Partners, Windows Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, MDT, Hyper-V, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, MAP, Virtualization Solution Accelerators, Server Virtualization, Server Deployment, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, ipd, MAP Toolkit, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V

• [NEWS!] SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP and Solution Accelerators Available!

  SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP Announced The SQL Server 2008 R2 August Community Technology Preview (CTP) rollout continues today with the availability of the Microsoft SQL Server StreamInsight August CTP. We’re excited to announce that SQL Server StreamInsight... Posted Aug 18 2009, 11:30 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: news, Microsoft, SQL, SQL Server 2008, Solution Accelerators, SQL 2008, ctp, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, IPD Guides, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server Solution Accelerators

• [NEWS!] Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 (version 4.0.2925.0) Now Available!

  If you are experiencing remote computer connectivity issues with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit (version 4.0.2921), you should try the latest release (version 4.0.2925) available from the Microsoft Download Center. MAP Toolkit offers... Posted Aug 17 2009, 07:00 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Security, Windows, virtualisation, Microsoft, Virtualization, SQL Server 2008, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Virtualization Solution Accelerators, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows 7 Deployment Tools

• New Microsoft Tools Released to Simplify Planning and Deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

  Good news! Last week, Microsoft announced the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 products have been released to manufacturing (RTM). What it means is that you will be able to get these products on the shelves very soon. Windows 7 Sneak-Peek from MGX... Posted Jul 29 2009, 12:49 PM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: news, Windows, virtualisation, Events, Microsoft, Virtualization, Steve Ballmer, Desktop Deployment, Hardware Assessment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, Windows Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, IT Professionals, rtm, Windows 7, MDT, Hyper-V, Microsoft application Virtualization, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Virtualization Solution Accelerators, Server Virtualization, Server Deployment, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Virtualization Management, IT Management, ipd, App-V, steven sinofsky, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, RTM Announcements, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, IT Managers, Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios, Desktop Deployment Tools, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, WODS, OD

• Tips about Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit - Tip #1 for Windows 7 Readiness Assessment

  One of the most frequently-requested features for the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (or MAP Toolkit) has been the “User-Defined Assessment Threshold” that allows IT departments to customize varying degree of hardware requirements for different... Posted Jul 29 2009, 12:25 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Windows Vista, Microsoft, Desktop Deployment, Hardware Assessment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, IT Professionals, Windows 7, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, IT Management, MAP Toolkit, IT Managers, Desktop Deployment Tools, Windows 7 Deployment Tools

• RTM NEWS - Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Now Available!

  Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 releases are just around the corner. Are you thinking about deploying these new operating systems? Get a head start with Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 to help you determine readiness of your machines... Posted Jul 13 2009, 09:25 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Security, news, Windows, virtualisation, Windows Vista, Microsoft, SQL, Virtualization, SQL Server 2005, case study, Desktop Deployment, Hardware Assessment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, SQL Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, IT Professionals, Virtual Server 2005 R2, SQL 2008, anti-spyware, anti-virus, rtm, Green IT, Windows 7, Hyper-V, Case studies, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Server Virtualization, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, IT Management, App-V, SQL 2000, PC Security, MAP Toolkit, RTM Announcements, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, IT Managers, Desktop Deployment Tools, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, WPC 2009

• NEWS - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta 2 Now Available!

  The Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 launches are just around the corner. As you prepare to deploy these operating systems, consider jumpstarting your project with Microsoft® Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2. Leverage this Solution Accelerator... Posted Jul 09 2009, 10:16 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, Windows Server 2008, IT Professionals, Windows 7, MDT, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, IT Management, ipd, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, IPD Guides, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios, Windows 7 Deployment Tools, WODS

• Win Cool Prizes - Fill out the MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta Satisfaction Survey!

  We'd like to hear from you regarding your satisfaction of the MAP Toolkit 4.0 Beta program! Please fill out this short satisfaction survey before July 2nd, 2009 (5pm Pacific Time) and you may be one of the first 20 respondents who will get a free... Posted Jun 30 2009, 03:24 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, Windows Server 2008, Solution Accelerators, Windows 7, MAP, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, MAP Toolkit, Beta Program, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V

• Jumpstart Your IT Projects with Proven Guidance and Tools from Microsoft

  I often ran into customers and partners who wish they could have spent LESS time on deployment planning and deploy faster and start benefitting from the value of the software earlier. Picking the right technologies like server, desktop, and application... Posted Jun 25 2009, 10:52 AM by TechNet Blogs Filed under: Windows, virtualisation, Windows Vista, Microsoft, System Center, System Center Operations Manager, Virtualization, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Softgrid, Hardware Assessment, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, WVHA, System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft Partners, SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008, Deployment Tools, Solution Accelerators, IT Professionals, Virtual Server 2005 R2, SQL 2008, MDOP, Application Virtualization, Windows 7, Microsoft application Virtualization, Windows Vista Readiness Assessment, MAP, Virtualization Solution Accelerators, Server Virtualization, Server Deployment, Microsoft Assessment and Planning, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Online Services, IT Management, ipd, App-V, MAP Toolkit, Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides, IPD Guides, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization, med-v, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, IT Managers, Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios, WODS, OD