Last week I attended the annual Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference held from 7-10 July in Houston, USA. This event is the largest gathering of Microsoft partners with approximately 8,000 partners and a further 2,500 Microsoft staff attending.
Microsoft used the event to present their strategies and roadmap for technology to their partners from around the world, with 143 countries represented. Key announcements at the conference included details of Microsoft’s Software Plus Services offering of Business Productivity Online Suite via the “cloud” which will be offered soon. There were also rousing keynote presentations by Microsoft executives including Chief Executive Officer, Steve Balmer and Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Johnson as well as an inspiring address by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus founder of the Grameen Bank.
So how would a “consumer” product like Windows Home Server be relevant at such an event? Well when you’re part of the Windows Server family with siblings like Windows Server 2008, Small Business Server and the forthcoming Essential Business Server it’s easy! It was great to hear Microsoft executives such as Bob Kelly, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Server & Tools Division expousing the virtue of WHS as a key part of the Windows Server family.
Windows Home Server featured as part of the display of Windows Server family products in keynote presentations and on the exhibition floor, along with Vista Media Centre. The demonstration on the show floor featured a HP MediaSmart Server connected to an XBOX 360 showing the integration features and media sharing, whilst a very simplistic demonstration it did draw a good degree of interest from conference attendees. The WHS booth was supported by a couple of Microsoft employees who were WHS enthusiasts as opposed to members of the WHS team. There were also a limited supply of copies of the “Mommy, Why Is There A Server In The House?” book available, until stocks ran out on day one - needless to say I grabbed a supply for us to use as prizes in future WGS competitions - so stay tuned.
Microsoft’s Sean Fitzsimmons, a Technical Account Manager, from Houston was busy at the Windows Home Server booth
More than 30 copies of Windows Home Server software were given away after presentations by Microsoft and their partners in the Windows Essentials Server Theater. In addition 5 HP MediaSmart EX47 Servers were given away to those completing an entry in a competition which involved wearing a WHS badge and centred on the Essential Server Solutions exhibit area. There was also a $120 discount off the HP MediaSmart Server systems at www.hpshopping.com for attendees who decided to try out Windows Home Server - note a discount code is needed to obtain this discount which runs through to 19 July.
Next years Worldwide Partner conference will be held in New Orleans. Who knows what features Windows Home Server will have by then.
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