The System Center Configuration Manager Customer team is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for participation in our Rapid Deployment Program.
What is the Microsoft Rapid Deployment Program (RDP)
The Microsoft RDP program is designed to provide our customers with access to pre-release code. The customers enrolled in the SCCM 07 RDP program will be deploying the pre-release versions of System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
Program Benefits:
· Participants will be able to a head start in the deployment of Microsoft’s next generation configuration management software. When deploying into production they can taking advantage of new and enhanced features available in System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
· Regularly scheduled conference calls with a member of the SCCM Team and other participating customers. Discussions will include deployment planning, feedback, and presentations from members of the Product Group, and other customer driven topics.
· Production certified pre-release builds of the product.
· Program participants will have access to connect.microsoft.com. Connect provides the following program capabilities for our participants:
1. Access to Newsgroups for the program
2. Feedback (Bug and Design Change Request)
3. Downloads (Product Milestone Build Releases, Livemeeting Presentations, Tools)
4. General Configuration Manager news and update information from the product team
· Support and deployment guidance from the System Center Configuration Manager Product Group.
· 24x7 support for production deployment issues.
· Customers will receive one week of MCS consulting free after purchasing one week.
Program Requirements:
· Prior to program participation, have a signed TAP Agreement (sample attached), Signed Supplemental EULA for SCCM 07 (attached) and agree to the System Center Configuration Manager 07 RDP Program description (attached) on file with Microsoft.
· Commit to providing resources for the duration of the program.
· Deploy System Center Configuration Manager 07 Beta 2 into a lab environment within 14 days of beta 2 release
· Upgrade server and have managed clients at the RC milestone release + 14 days of availability.
· Deploy System Center Configuration Manager to 5000 or more computers by RC milestone release + 30 days
· Upgrade to the RTM version of System Center Configuration Manager 07 within 30 days of RTM availability.
· Must be able to participate in public relations activities as identified in the TAP agreement and the System Center Configuration Manager 2007 RDP Program description.
· Have a Microsoft Premier Support contract which includes at least 1/8 Microsoft Technical Account Manager resource.
· Participants will need to have a pre-existing SMS 2003 SP2\SP3 production hierarchy
· SMS 2003 site servers must be running SQL Server 2005 RTM\SP1 and Windows Server 2003 SP1\R2
· Account teams lead nomination process
Participant Selection:
Priority will be given to those who validate functionality in production for the following requirements:
· Participate in public relations activities with Microsoft
· Deploy SCCM 07 RC to 5000 production clients before RTM
· Commit to using at least 3 major features sets of SCCM 07:
1. Operating System Deployment
2. Internet Based Clients \ Native Mode Security
3. Software Update Management
4. Network Access Protection
5. Desired Configuration Monitoring
6. Branch Office Distribution
· Manage Windows Vista RTM production clients
Program Timetable (all dates are estimates and subject to change)
|
Month of early October |
Initial Nomination period |
Submission of Nomination Surveys by or on behalf of interested customers. |
|
By November 10th |
Selection |
Customers selected for the program are notified and given information regarding initial participation. |
|
By late-November |
Legal Agreements signed |
If organization does not have a TAP Agreement with Microsoft, a signed TAP Agreement must be returned. Additionally, a signed Supplemental License must be on file at Microsoft and the Program Description must be returned acknowledge by the organization. |
|
Q1 2007 |
Beta2 |
Deployment in lab environment. Committed number of client agents deployed within 14 days of Beta2 availability. |
|
H1 2007 |
RC |
Deployment in production environment. Committed number of client agents deployed within 30 days of RC availability. Product validation and feedback submitted. |
|
H1 + 30 days |
Release to Manufacturing |
Upgrade to RTM build and enterprise-wide deployment. |
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations will be accepted now until Nov 10th. Microsoft will contact prospective TAP customers by November 24th.
Contact your Technical Account Manager and request enrollment into this program. Your Technical Account Manager should have you complete a nomination survey.
Have a Question?
If you have any questions concerning this email or the nomination process please send an email to smscust@microsoft.com.
Microsoft Web References
http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/evaluation/2003/smsv4.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sms/smsv4/smsv4_relnotes/c853f8b0-a558-44c6-b2f2-e7bf27d5237a.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sms/smsv4/smsv4_library/fb1a3b65-ab25-4eec-9743-cc23d766bc89.mspx?mfr=true