Networking with Partners - Good For Business

I had the pleasure of catching up with Ryan 'Fuzzy' Spillane of Correct Solutions this week in Brisbane and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to 'chew the fat' and exchange experiences running SMB IT businesses.

Ryan and Wayne Small have a fantastic and long established business in Sydney and are the 'go to' partner that other partners turn to when things get messy. Whilst their business model is very different to ours - as some of you know its managed services or nothing at all here at Directions Technology - I certainly picked up a few great ideas from Ryan's approach to running his business and confirmed a few of my own thoughts too.

So if you are sitting on the fence about attending Microsoft WPC, APC or TechEd, maybe you need to evaluate the networking benefits of attending these events. To me, just the face time we get with Microsoft execs at these events makes it worthwhile. Not to mention its a great way to step away from the day to day running of your business and get some perspective on things. For many business owners who still work day to day on their business, this is sorely needed.

Anyway, I enjoyed my chat with Ryan so much time completely ran away with me and I found myself running late for a Penfolds Grange wine tasting I was supposed to be at. Luckily I didn't miss any of the good stuff which included two esteemed vintages, the '81 and the delicious '89.

Wine Trivia: The name Grange came from the cottage where the Penfolds family lived, a 1951 Grange is undrinkable but now worth $60,000 and the starting price for this year’s vintage is $650.

I think I need to work on boosting our revenues at Directions so I can lay down a few bottles of the 2004 vintage, released last month!

Keira McIntosh is the General Manager at Directions Technology - an Australia owned small business providing managed and reliable IT Support in Brisbane. You can also find her on Twitter and Linked In.

ICT Factor Brisbane - Getting Good IT to SMBs

I'm privleged to have been invited to present at the Queensland Government's ICT Factor conference in Brisbane later this month.

This is a great initiative designed to help businesses learn more about how they can use information technology to reduce costs, increase reach and improve efficiency. There's a full program including speakers, exhibtors and presentation from both local users, technologists and ICT companies.

Alot of the content is tailored to assist SMBs with four streams to choose from:

• Human Resources
• Retail
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Accounting & Finance

I'll be talking to Accounting and Finance business owners and leaders about smart ways to use technology to grow their businesses.

You can find out more about the event at the ICT Factor web page.

Keira McIntosh is the General Manager at Directions Technology - an Australia owned small business providing managed and reliable IT Support in Brisbane. You can also find her on Twitter and Linked In.

Count Down to WPC 09 - New Orleans

We're just over a month out from this years Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference and I have a list as long as my arm to complete before we head off. Before we leave, we have to get a couple of new recruits bedded in, review various options for new office premises, get end of financial year preparations in order and I need to finish writing by presentation for the ICT Factor Conference. Not to mention getting to grips with being Microsoft's Australian SBSC PAL for 09-10!


Last year's WPC was held in Houston, a city which left me thoroughly uncharmed (possibly something to do with having spent two weeks in New York before WPC and a week in Bora Bora afterwards). So I'm really looking forward to New Orleans - a city famed for its history, food and music.


The format of this years conference has been changed to allow for Solutions Track Breakout Sessions, Segment/Industry Breakout Sessions and Business Model Breakouts with keynotes from the usual suspects like Kevin Turner, Allison Watson and Steve Ballmer. Lets hope Allison's not making another music video this year! One special keynote that is sure to be popular with the partners is Wednesday morning's session with Jack Welch. There's also a golf tournament and the WPC Day of Giving where you can roll up your sleeves and help out with the ongoing rebuilding work in New Orleans.

Aside from getting involved with a whole bunch of PAL related activities, I'm also hoping to get more out of meeting other partners using WPC Connect this year.


If you haven't already registered its not too late!

You can find out all about WPC09 and New Orleans by checking out these links:


Info on WPC09
https://partner.microsoft.com/40018508
http://www.digitalwpc.com/



Conference Agenda
http://www.digitalwpc.com/Agenda/



Things to See and Do
http://www.neworleansonline.com/
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/

Keira McIntosh is the General Manager at Directions Technology - an Australia owned small business providing managed and reliable IT Support in Brisbane. You can also find her on Twitter and Linked In.

Microsoft Software Benefits Go Digital

Microsoft have recently announced a change to distribution of software benefits - meaning you'll be able to download software for internal use.

In some ways this a good thing, as managing physical media can get a little difficult - who hasn't wasted time trying to find the disk you need - especially if you've got behind on filing them away. Downloadable media should help you get what you need faster. Physical media will still be available to order (at a cost)

More details direct from Microsoft :

The partner community provided us with feedback to improve access and management of software benefits—we listened. We’re pleased to announce that you can now digitally access your software benefits from one, central location at any time. The advantages of the Microsoft Partner Program digital distribution solution: By directly downloading your internal-use software, you can gain access to software and updates the moment they’re made available—no need to wait for your Microsoft Action Pack Subscription or Microsoft Gold Certified or Certified Partner box shipment. Benefits include:

• Faster and more flexible: Access software immediately—24x7 availability.
• Greater visibility: View all of your software benefits summarized in a license statement.*
• Improved software benefits management: Add or remove users and manage their access to downloads, keys, and a license statement.
• Decreased environmental impact: Help reduce the amount of waste from manufacturing, shipping, and disposing of disk kits.
  *Available August, 2009.

What you need to know about this beneficial, new change:

• At launch, you’ll be defaulted to receive Digital-Only software distribution or Digital-Plus-Physical software distribution, depending on your location.* View the frequently asked questions for details.
• If you’re defaulted to receive Digital-Only software distribution, you can always order physical media (software discs)—additional fees may apply. Visit your local Microsoft Partner Program portal for information on fees and expenses.
• If you’re defaulted to receive Digital-Plus-Physical software distribution, you must wait until re-enrollment to change to Digital-Only.
• Software benefits will always be available digitally, even when you’re receiving physical media.
• Access to software keys and license statement will only be available digitally, even when you’re receiving physical media.
• Marketing and sales resources are available online—in a few weeks, you’ll receive a communication to access these resources.
• Microsoft Gold Certified and Certified Partners will still be shipped Microsoft Partner Program plaques and certificates as appropriate.
  *Certain locations will receive physical media (software discs) due to digital accessibility issues.

How to get digital access:
From this link, you can access your software benefits today. You can use a step-by-step instruction guide for assistance. How to order physical media and when you can make changes:If you aren’t automatically receiving physical media for your location, you can order it at any time—additional fees may apply. You’ll still have digital access to your software benefits.

For more information:
Check here for the latest details specific to your location and to review frequently asked questions. If you need support, please contact your local Regional Service Center.

Keira McIntosh is the General Manager at Directions Technology - an Australia owned small business providing managed and reliable IT Support in Brisbane. You can also find her on Twitter and Linked In.