Be One of the First to Beta "Centro"

I just received an email from a colleague in Redmond looking for beta testers for a new server product set - "Centro".  “Centro” is the code name for a new Microsoft® infrastructure solution that will help midsize businesses with less than 250 PCs in their environment.  Centro will bring together key server products for midsize businesses, including Windows Server “Longhorn,” Exchange Server 2007 and security technologies, plus a new, integrated management experience.  Centro is designed for IT professionals in midsize companies, helping them with server technologies that are easier to purchase, install and manage.

The system requirements for the beta start at a pretty high level - three (3) 64-bit machines - but you will have the opportunity to test a brand new product designed for mid-size businesses.  To get on the beta program go to https://connect.microsoft.com, login with your Windows Live ID, and then click on Invitations and enter Invitation ID Extr-GHBC-JCJM (case sensitive).  You will be asked to take a short Survey. Once you complete the survey look for an email from MsftConn@microsoft.com. If you don't already trust this address, please add it to your trusted email addresses.

To get more info on "Centro" and read Kevin Beares' blog post on getting on the beta, check out his post at https://blogs.technet.com/kevin_beares/archive/2006/10/24/so-what-is-centro-you-ask.aspx. 

This sounds pretty cool.  If you have the hardware you should get on the beta and check it out.