TechNet Flash - Volume 17, Issue 4: February 18, 2015

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Free eBook download – Microsoft Azure Essentials: Fundamentals of Azure

Getting started with Azure: An overview of what to do next after signing up for an Azure trial

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Enterprise mobility: Learn 10 skills to future-proof your enterprise and your career

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SQL Server 2014

Windows Server 2012 R2

System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

Microsoft Azure one-month trial

Windows 8.1 Enterprise

System Center 2012 R2

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Windows Server 2003: Now is the time to migrate your environment

Support for Windows Server 2003 ends in less than 6 months. Now is the time to plan your move to Windows Server 2012 or Microsoft Azure. Check out this article to learn important considerations for your migration strategy. Also get free in-depth, technical resources to help you upgrade your legacy infrastructure and register for a free on-demand webinar.

Download the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

If you’re still running Windows Server 2003, it’s time to plan your migration. Experience better manageability with Windows Server 2012, enable greater scale with Microsoft Azure, or get the benefits of a hybrid cloud. Download the free Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit to get started today.

Edge Show: Understanding how and when to use Azure RemoteApp

Simon May walks you through Azure RemoteApp and how it combines Windows application experiences with the powerful capabilities of Remote Desktop Services on Microsoft Azure. Watch now.

Pre-order the new book: Enterprise Mobility Suite – Managing BYOD and Company-Owned Devices

In this scenario-based guide to enabling your mobile workforce, authors Yuri Diogenes and Jeff Gilbert step through the process of planning and designing a BYOD infrastructure and offer up best practices for protecting information in today’s connected environments.

Data, insights, and action: Industry experts discuss PASS BA Conference and why you should register

The PASS Business Analytics Conference (April 20–22, 2015) is quickly approaching. To help you get ready, TechNet Radio gathered some of the best data and business intelligence experts to chat about this year’s event.

Automation and DevOps: An introduction to Service Management Automation

Get an overview of Service Management Automation (SMA), learn about the SMA Runbook Toolkit, and discover the significance SMA plays in private cloud, Microsoft Azure, and hybrid cloud deployment scenarios.

First look: Secure single sign-in and multi-factor authentication for Office 365, your cloud, and on-premises apps

Self-service password resets with AD write-back, single sign-in to all your cloud apps, reports to see what apps people are using, and more. Learn about the updates to Azure AD and what’s included in Office 365.

Success with Enterprise Mobility: How to protect data wherever it goes

Join this live webcast on March 3, 2015, when Brad Anderson (Corporate VP) and Alex Simons (Director of Program Management, Active Directory) will examine a layered approach to security that protects resources at four levels: device, app, file, and identity. Register now.

Discover how a hybrid cloud approach can deliver the best of both worlds

Joe Weinman (author of Cloudonomics: The Business Value of Cloud Computing) will lead a webinar on February 24, 2015. Download the white paper and register for the live webinar to learn more about the benefits of adopting a hybrid cloud solution.

On demand: Learn why and how firms are adopting the cloud

If you are struggling to figure out how the cloud fits into your business or career, check out this on-demand webinar. In this introductory discussion for both IT pros and developers, Forrester Research analyst James Staten will cover key concepts, best practices, and more. View the recorded webinar now.

Enterprise Mobility Webinar Series: Addressing BYOD and the cloud

This ongoing series explores various topics related to enterprise mobility – from device management and security to desktop virtualization and more. Check it out to discover common problems and solutions, and learn about powerful features offered by Microsoft technologies. Register for the live events and view on-demand recordings.

Get certified with your Windows Server purchase

As an IT pro, you understand the value of being Microsoft certified. Now when you purchase an OEM Windows Server operating system from a participating partner, you can get a free Microsoft certification exam and eBook (valued at US$180). See the promotion page for details.

Training and Books

Pre-order the new book: Enterprise Mobility Suite – Managing BYOD and Company-Owned Devices

In this scenario-based guide to enabling your mobile workforce, authors Yuri Diogenes and Jeff Gilbert step through the process of planning and designing a BYOD infrastructure and offer up best practices for protecting information in today’s connected environments.

Application performance monitoring: End-to-end monitoring and insights for DevOps practices

DevOps expert Morgan Webb steps through Application Insights and System Center Operations Manager to explain these solutions, along with their integration with Visual Studio. Get a full understanding of Microsoft’s end-to-end monitoring options and its strategy for true hybrid cloud application monitoring. Join the conversation on Twitter with #TalkDevOps.

Events

Getting started with PowerShell Desired State Configuration

February 25, 2015
Master the basics of PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) in this introductory course. Then go deeper on February 26 with the Advanced PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) and Custom Resources training session.

Live training: Prepare your environment’s identity and access management solution for Windows 10

March 26, 2015
Microsoft Virtual Academy is launching an Enterprise Mobility Core Skills training series. It kicks off on March 26 with a session covering single-sign on, user self-service, and more. Register now.

Security and the Cloud: Register now for the live virtual event

March 25, 2015
This 3-hour streaming event for IT pros will include insights from industry analysts, Microsoft experts, and customers as they discuss what’s next for security and the cloud. Register today.

PASS Business Analytics Conference

April 20–22, 2015
Join the Microsoft BI, Azure, and Office teams at the PASS Business Analytics Conference for in-depth sessions, hands-on labs, and expert panels. Learn essential skills and get the latest best practices for integrating, analyzing, visualizing, and reporting on company data.