Cover Page>>

Executive Corner
· A Letter from Dave Sanders

T
he Portal Advantage
· Rantings: Every IT Relationship needs Effective Communication
· Introducing Culminis Connections
· Feedback is an Option

IT Hero Recognition
· IGEN and NPA

 Upcoming Events
· IT PRO Workshops
·
TechNet Briefings
· AITP Dallas to Enlist in Tactical Tank Team Building

 Focus of the Month:
 Training & Education
· Uncertified, Unlicensed, Uncontrolled
· Importance of Licensing
· Role of User Groups in Educating IT Pros
· The Impact of Instructors on the IT Pro Learning Experience
· Culminis helps with Certification


Culminis Happenings
· Culminis: Forming a Taskforce on Building Security Awareness
· Microsoft Plans to Enhance TechNet with help from the Culminis Alliance
· Culminis Implements the Microsoft® Solutions Framework (MSF)


Special Offers
· Exclusive Discount on  IT PRO Workshops - thru Culminis


 

 

 

 The Culminis Compass - August  2004

 

Microsoft Plans to Enhance TechNet with Help from the Culminis Alliance

The Microsoft TechNet team is working with Culminis on a 3-month pilot program to beta test a new TechNet Plus package specifically designed for the needs of IT professionals today.

TechNet Plus is a trusted resource that provides the guidance, tools, software and information IT Professionals need to efficiently plan, implement, and support Microsoft® technologies.  This monthly subscription service provides IT professionals with:

  • Easy-to-use media that puts the Microsoft Knowledge Base at their fingertips
  • Early access to premium content, tools and evaluation software to help IT pros evaluate, test and deploy Microsoft technologies.
  • The latest security updates, service packs and drivers.
  • Access to over 90 TechNet managed newsgroups monitored by Microsoft Support Professionals.
  • A live TechNet Online Concierge and advanced search to help pinpoint the right resources. 
  • Training materials and deployment guides to keep skills up-to-date.

Several Culminis Alliance Member Organizations have selected to provide 10 participants based on their participation in other feedback development programs.  They will provide Microsoft with information that will assist them in developing the next
version of the TechNet Subscription.  In exchange for their assistance, participants will receive a complimentary 3-month TechNet Plus subscription and have the opportunity to fully test out new offerings under consideration including:

 
  • TechNet Managed Newsgroup Support ­ - Post technical questions to one of 90+ public newsgroups related to Microsoft's IT products and technologies and Microsoft.  As a benefit to TechNet Plus subscribers, our Support Engineer will commit to answering questions within one business day if it has not been answered by the community.  If the response has been answered by the community, our Support Engineer will review the technical soundness of those responses.
     
  • Training and Learning Resources - Elearning, online mentoring, practice exams, and a searchable library of electronic books for IT professionals provided by SkillSoft and Books 24x7.

The goal is get feedback from participants via two online surveys relating to their experience around the offerings, what they liked or disliked about them, and whether Microsoft should incorporate these new offerings into the next version of the TechNet Plus subscription.  Participants will also have the opportunity to give Microsoft ongoing feedback via a beta newsgroup forum (chat with the TechNet Product team and other beta participants).  The beta program will run from August 2 through October 31, 2004.

 

 

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