Behind the Scenes of the Windows Server 2008 Launch

So I was backstage at the Windows Server 2008 LA launch event eavesdropping on Tom Brokaw's dressing room when (OMG!) I heard the most unbelievably juicy gossip!  Just kidding, my behind the scenes participation around the Windows Server 2008 launch started back in September with the launch of Innovate On Windows Server, a site dedicated to helping ISVs build, test, and market their solutions built on the latest Microsoft technologies.   Partners who registered their solutions via Innovate On were able to get access to self-service testing tools to ensure their solutions were compatible with Windows Server 2008, and were also given the opportunity to join the Windows Server Early Access Program (EAP) and participate in the launch events.  This is an especially good opportunity for smaller partners with limited marketing budgets to take advantage of the "launch wave" press and momentum to gain visibility through joint marketing activities with Microsoft.

Don't worry if you missed out on the Windows Server launch - the Innovate On team is already gearing up for the next wave of product launches.  To get involved, just head on over to our recently redesigned Innovate On site and register your solution.  Innovate On participants are eligible for a wide range of technology-specific benefits, which include offers such as 10 hours of email-based tech support or vouchers to get deep discounts on testing and certification from our test vendors.  In addition to finding step-by-step guidance around building a solution on Microsoft technologies, the new Innovate On site features a fun little Silverlight-based "Advanced Search" tool that builds a hand-picked list of the top Microsoft resources available for your solution.  We've also streamlined the navigation and registration processes to make it much easier to get access to benefits and to find information to help you get your solution to market.

Of course, when you stop by the Innovate On site, be sure to fill out the form on the "Contact Us" page or send me an email (kleneway@microsoft.com) to let me know what you think of the new site.  We're continuing to churn out new features based on your feedback, so please let us know if there's anything we can do to improve your Innovate On experience.  And if you did happen to hear any salacious gossip from the LA launch event (OMG!), post 'em in the comment section below - I'm always up for a good Tom Brokaw story.  :)

Kevin Leneway

Technical Evangelist