Techsynopsis: Corporate IT Summarized

Deal: Microsoft TechNet Plus @ $249 = Lots o' Licenses

Cost: $249 (Usually $349)

Microsoft is offering a $100 discount off of the normal price of $349 for a 12-month single user TechNet Plus subscription.

Sign Up here for the TechNet Plus Direct subscription, using promo code TMSAM03.

From the TechNet Plus Overview site:

Allows an individual immediate access to full TechNet Plus resources including software for evaluation, technical content, tools, utilities, two Professional Support incidents and other support resources. Content is available online through the TechNet Plus benefits portal—member-only site. (It does not include media shipments). Each TechNet Plus Direct is licensed to one individual only.

You will get access to unrestricted evaluation copies of virtually all Microsoft products, including Windows Vista and Office 2007, as part of your subscription.

TechNet Plus License Terms (this is a Single User subscription)                         

Rational ClearCase to Team Foundation Migration & Sync Tool Released

Cost: $0

Synopsis: Just as the tag line says. new ClearCase -> TFS migration and synchronization tool provides the ability to migrate ClearCase data to TFS, and it also provides a service that will keep items in sync between TFS and ClearCase.  These features  make the process of migrating from ClearCase to TFS much simpler, and far more automated.  It enables you to make a onetime switch and preserve your data and history or it allows a longer term coexistence by allowing different people or teams to use ClearCase and TFS while ensuring that all of the data and history is available to all users.

A quick summary of the features of the tool:

• Supports migration of base ClearCase VOBs
• Migrate a snapshot of source control to TFS
• Migrate files to Team Foundation Server while preserving history
• Migrate branches to Team Foundation Server retaining the branching structure/hierarchy
• Bidirectional synchronization of data between TFS and ClearCase

DOWNLOAD

Alert: Cisco Raising SMARTnet Pricing Oct 1st!

Cost: 5%-12% Increase

Synopsis: Prices for your SMARTnet maintenance are set to increase October 1st, 2007. There are steps you can take to mitigate this increase. If you have not already, please consolidate your SMARTnet.

1. Audit your current environment using the multitude of inventory tools available (if you need help call your reseller, as always I prefer Softchoice as we focus on utilization discovery and maintenance management (800) 268-7638)
2. Determine and discuss the criticality of the device with your reseller for proper sizing.
3. Renew early, and if it is a fit, optional multi-year contracts.

For more information on what Cisco SMARTnet is, please see below.   

Toshiba Recall: "THNX SONY -BF TOSHIBA"

Cost: Time

Synopsis: It looks like the Sony scare is not over. Toshiba has announced today that they will be recalling more laptops, including those listed below. To some this is good news, "yay! free batteries"; for those with IT departments to run...not so much. Please see the list below, and replace batteries as needed. Visit the recall page to place your order.

Computer Models	Accessory Batteries
Portege M300 Portege M400/M405 Portege S100/S105 Qosmio G35 Satellite A50 Satellite R10/R15 Satellite R20/R25 Satellite U200/U205 Tecra A2 Tecra M3 Tecra M4 Tecra M5 Tecra M6 Tecra M7 Tecra S3	PA3191U-4BRS PA3191U-5BRS PA3356U-2BRS PA3356U-3BRS PA3475U-1BRS PA3476U-1BRS

Computer Models	Accessory Batteries
Satellite A100/A105 Tecra A7	PA3399U-2BRS PA3451U-1BRS

Windows Vista SP1: Don't Hold Your Breath!

Cost: Time

Synopsis: WindowsConnected has been helping Microsoft spread the word that SP1 is not slated for release in 2008. They however did say that it was "in testing", with a limited beta that will release within the year.  The words from Microsoft are as follows.

“There will be a Windows Vista service pack and our current expectation is that a beta will be made available sometime this year. Service packs are part of the traditional software lifecycle — they’re something we do for all Microsoft products as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, and providing early test builds is a standard practice that helps us incorporate customer feedback and improve the overall quality of the product.

Service packs are just one example of the work we do to constantly improve the Windows experience.  We also deliver improvements to Windows via Windows Update, which is an excellent channel for providing our customers with the most significant updates as they happen.  And, since Windows Vista launched, we have continued working with partners to improve overall device coverage and application compatibility. There are now more than 2.1 million supported devices and more than 2,000 logoed applications for Windows Vista. We think customers will have a great experience using Windows Vista today.”

Source

Summer Spending Incentives - "Free" Stuff

Cost: $1-$100,000+

Synopsis: The summer is typically slow for many technology companies as well as their resellers. There a number of incentive promotions out there. If your project plans fall in line with the Q3 time frame, one should be sure to leverage the various programs. For Softchoice we are running the following.

Between July 1st to September 28th, 2007, for all hardware orders Softchoice is offering:
1. A tank of gas (value of $50) when you place any order over $15,000*
2. Oakley Sunglasses (value of $150) when you place any order over $30,000*
3. A Nintendo Wii (value of $250) when you place any order over $70,000*

Details after the jump...

Free (For Today) Software: LANState 3.5 Standard

Cost: $0 for today (07/10/07)...normally $99.95

Synopsis: 10-Strike LANState is a network mapping, monitoring, management, and administration software solution for corporate Microsoft Windows networks.

LANState Standard a network mapping, monitoring, and management solution, which has built-in Windows remote administration features. It is recommended for usage in corporate Microsoft Windows networks.

<Product Info>
<DOWNLOAD>

Buy Microsoft Office Project 2007 = FREE MPA Membership

Cost: $300+

Synopsis: Purchase Microsoft Office Project 2007 by June 29, 2007, and receive a complimentary one-year membership* to MPA, the Official Industry Association for Microsoft Office Project.

What is the MPA you ask? Good question...

"MPA is a dynamic professional association that serves as the preeminent resource for Microsoft® Office Project. We help a worldwide community comprised of thousands of individual and corporate members better leverage their investment in Microsoft Office Project in their businesses and careers. "

MPA

* info after the jump

FREE: SnagIt 7 Software License

Cost: $0

Synopsis: TechSmith is giving away free licenses of SnagIt 7.2.5. Do you need this?...yes. Is it the older version (current 8.2)...yes. Will you be able to purchase upgrade licenses....yes.

This is a promotion from UK .Net Magazine. It is unclear as to how long this will last. In short, run don't walk.

THIS IS THE LINK

Microsoft Opens "Open XML" for Word for Mac.

Cost: $0

Synopsis: Microsoft has a released a converter for .docX file formats for Word 2004. Good news...it works. Bad news, it works one way, and does not support Excel nor PowerPoint. The word is that we should expect the reader for Excel and PowerPoint near the end of the summer. It should be noted however that Office 2008 will be released prior to the full conversion solution for 2004...how not so odd.

Alternatively, you can just download NeoOffice, or read your .docx in TextEdit.