Tech.Ed 2006

Tech.Ed 2006.... oh yes.... 2006!

Michael Kleef is on point for content for Tech.Ed this year in New Zealand and Australia.

Remember if you want to submit a technical paper to speak at the event do so here this month!

We are changing the way we do things this year by having a different person responsible for each technical track! Yup ultimately it is the track leaders call who speaks and what is presented in the track.

Each track lead has started to stack rank the top 16 session across each track and Michael has blogged these and is looking for feedback. The web dev ones aren't up there yet even though I have submitted them!

Things are falling into place this year and I'm hoping to make some big statements shortly about who we have coming down!

The tracks and track owners are as follows

Patterns and Practises – Nigel Watson

The Patterns and Practisestrack focuses on architecture both application and infrastructure and offers architectural perspectives on several core topics currently "hot" in the enterprise namely Services Oriented Architecture and Business Process but also around proper security architecture principles. Solutions and infrastructure architects receive guidance on infrastructure planning as well as connected systems design from industry and Microsoft experts.

Business Intelligence, Database Development and Administration – Dave Glover

Improve your technical and professional skills in the development, support and implementation of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database and Business Intelligence solutions. Learn how to get the most out of SQL Server 2005 and how you can deliver breakthrough performance, securely and reliably, with the most powerful and productive suite of tools to manage your SQL Server 2005 databases and develop new and innovative applications based on SQL Server 2005. Also featured in this track is to learn how to easily integrate, analyze and report on all of your corporate data, using Microsoft's BI platform, end-user tools and analytic applications. Take your skills to the next level by learning from experts how they have implemented Business Intelligence Solutions utilizing: SQL Server 2005 (Integration Services, Analysis Services, and Reporting Services) and Business Scorecard Manager 2005.

Major products and technologies featured: SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services, Business Scorecard Manager

Connected Systems – David Lemphers

Today's successful applications no longer reside within the context of single process or machine. They must be designed as part of a connected system of applications that is highly distributed, utilizes standard webservices interfaces, extends beyond corporate firewalls, and enables integration in heterogeneous environments. If you're a developer or an IT professional tasked with building, deploying or managing these systems, the Connected Systems track is for you. Get the latest information on Web services, business process integration, workflow, P2P, federated identity, distributed objects, message queuing and more! And, if you're looking for the latest information on server-based business process management and integration, the Connected Systems track delivers in-depth sessions covering business integration tools like BizTalk® Server 2006 and Microsoft Identity Integration Server. This track brings together the full range of Microsoft technologies used to build connected systems, from the .NET APIs to enterprise servers. Learn about the latest WinFX technologies including Windows Communications Foundation (formerly code-named "Indigo"), Windows Workflow Foundation, and "InfoCard." We also dive deep into existing .NET Framework 2.0 technologies, such as WSE 3.0, MSMQ and Remoting.

Major products and technologies featured: Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003, Windows Workflow Foundation, Active Directory Federation Services, Windows Communication Foundation

Developer Tools – Andrew Coates

Amplify your application development impact with deep technical training that covers the best of Visual Studio® 2005, the .NET Framework and Windows Mobile development technologies. Sessions include language enhancements, IDE productivity features, Visual Studio 2005 Team System (VSTS), Mobile Development for Tablet PCs, Pocket PCs and Smartphones, .NET Compact Framework, Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO) and more. Get in-depth information on building mission-critical software using Visual Basic® and Visual C#®, with practical examples of integrating these into your Software Development Lifecycle using Visual Studio Team System. Acquire the skills that you need to make an immediate impact in your organization while preparing for future versions of Visual Studio and Windows. Discover the new features that enable you to create application-level customizations, application-level task panes, and program the ribbon using Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office System (VSTO).

Major products and technologies featured: Visual Studio 2005 and associated technologies, Windows Forms, Visual Studio Tools for Office, Mobile Development

Windows Server, Management & Operations – Michael Kleef

To meet ever-growing business demands, IT operators and administrators are being tasked with increasing the security, availability and manageability of their environments. The development, deployment and upgrading of new applications and services often necessitates infrastructure changes. With uptime and availability serving as key success metrics, the power to manage this level of change is critical for business success. Microsoft's management products and platforms are designed with this fast-changing environment in mind-with powerful features to help plan, deploy, configure and monitor your critical applications, services, servers and network. Learn how Microsoft can help you increase your operational efficiency and security today with Windows Server System™ technologies such as Microsoft Operations Manager, Systems Management Server, Virtual Server, Windows Update Services and Windows Server 2003 R2, and how these will evolve in the future with Windows Server code-named "Longhorn", the foundation of the Windows Server System.

Major products and technologies featured: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server codenamed “Longhorn”, Microsoft Operations Manager, Systems Management Server 2003 R2, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Network Access Protection

Messaging and Mobility – Michael Kleef

The Messaging and Mobility Track features content on Microsoft's soon-to-be-released Exchange Server "12" (E12), Outlook® 12 and Windows Mobile™ 5.0 along with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) and Windows Mobile 2003. This track provides in-depth training around Microsoft's messaging and mobility platform with featured content on: deployment and administration of E12; security, hygiene and compliance advances in E12; script-ability and programmability of E12; new features in Outlook 12; how to integrate Office Live Communications Server into your environment; and deployment of Windows Mobile solutions that allow your organization to collaborate when away from the office. Get the training you need to maintain your current Exchange 2003 installation, from sessions that cover advances in the latest service pack for Exchange Server 2003 (Exchange SP2) including details on storage, and refreshed 'Tips and Tricks' from the pros!

Major products and technologies featured: Exchange Server 2003, Exchange Server “12”, Windows Mobile 5.0, Outlook 12, Messaging and Security Feature Pack, Live Communications Server

Office System – Penelope Lewin and Angus Logan

Learn about all of the advancements being made in the next release of Office, Office 2007! Get the training you need to successfully deploy and manage Office server systems and applications within your IT infrastructure. Gain an in-depth look at the new server technologies in the next release of Office 2007 that enable you to extend the employees in your organization to collaborate more freely and work more efficiently. Learn how to use some of the new collaboration features designed to improve productivity aswell as the full range of Office Servers that help address your business issues.

Major products and technologies featured: Office 2007, Excel Services, Form Services and SharePoint 2007

Security – Jeff Alexander

Security threats have become increasingly sophisticated, while networks have become more complex. In this track, learn how to better protect your enterprise with information from experts on architecting and managing a more secure integrated infrastructure. Learn about security functions in the Windows® platform as well as Microsoft security products that can help you protect your network. Get in-depth information and advice from some of the best Microsoft and third-party security experts in the industry to take back and implement in your own organization. The content in the Security Track challenges you to go beyond "simple lockdown" measures and helps you more proactively and effectively protect your organization from attacks.

Major products and technologies featured: ISA Server 2006, Microsoft Infrastructure, Network Access Protection, Sybari products

Web Development – Nigel Parker

Learn everything you need to design, develop and deploy mission-critical Web applications with Visual Studio 2005, Internet Information Services (IIS), and ASP.NET. This track provides you with the tools to tackle today's most pressing Web challenges, creating great applications targeting Web users. Web developers receive deep technical information to improve their current skills and learn about what is just around the corner with tools and services in this space. IT professionals learn how to effectively configure and deploy IIS and Web applications with the integration of IIS, ASP.NET and Windows Server™ 2003 R2 in their environment.

Major products and technologies featured: Visual Studio 2005, ASP.NET 2.0, Internet Information Server, Expression Web Designer, Windows Live Services

Windows Client – Nathan Mercer

The much anticipated release of Windows Vista™ is right around the corner, so it's time to learn about everything you need to deploy the next release of Windows in your IT environment. Find out how the latest Windows Vista Client technologies deliver value to your organization; discover how you can accelerate your desktop development efforts; and get tips and tricks for easier implementations. Learn more about new, powerful technologies in Windows operating systems including Windows Vista and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and get real-world guidance from our industry experts. Learn about how to design your next desktop deployment with Windows Vista to take into account application compatibility and improve overall infrastructure security.

Major products and technologies featured: Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 7.0, Windows Presentation Foundation, InfoCard, Windows XP x64 Edition.

Tags: TechEd, TechEd 2006, TechEd ANZ

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