Great Windows Client Resource Collection for the IT Pro

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Josh Condie – Stephen Rose and his team have put together an amazing IT Pro resource for the Windows client

The Springboard Series!

Where to find guidance demos, tools, and tips for IT pros? The Springboard Series!

What is the Springboard Series?
The Springboard Series is Microsoft’s engagement program for Windows IT professionals worldwide, focused on providing the right guidance, at the right technical level, at the right time in their adoption lifecycle. The Springboard Series reaches out to, and supports, IT pros through the following vehicles:

· Windows Client TechCenter – the online Springboard Series experience

o Surfaces up the most relevant* resources—from TechNet library guidance and deployment tools to demos and community forums

o Guides IT pros step-by-step through their experience with the product by organizing content by product and by lifecycle phase (explore, plan, deliver, operate, support)

o Provides quick access to guidance designed to help address top tasks (application compatibility, virtualization, activation, networking, performance, security, training)

o Provides quick access to key downloads including product trials and free planning/deployment tools

o Localized in 10 languages (Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese)

· Springboard Series Insider – information on the latest news, resources, and events plus exclusive access to tips from Microsoft product teams, industry experts, and other IT pros

o Features a Windows 8 Tip of the Month

· Springboard Series Blog – announcements about new product/tool releases (Windows, IE, MDOP, Intune, Solution Accelerators), upcoming community events, and Q-and-A sessions with product team experts

o Built-in machine translation into 37 languages

· Springboard Series on Twitter – @MSSpringboard

· Springboard Series Technical Expert Program (STEP) – actively engaged community of Microsoft MVPs, MCP, and MCTs who conduct events in local markets

o Microsoft provides presentation materials and funding

o STEP members guarantee a certain number of attendees and provide survey results

· Windows Outreach Team – small group of subject matter experts who support IT pros with a variety of Windows-related tasks via active engagement in third-party community forums and discussion groups

· Partnership with WW DPE – in the form of Microsoft Virtual Academy and Windows 8 IT Camps

*How do we know what is the most relevant? Through active social listening, direct feedback from IT pros, and monitoring of top issues in the forums as well as the progress of content users through the lifecycle.

What are the top Windows 8 resources available today?
Here are some of the highlights:

· Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation

· 10 Must-Know Windows 8 Features for IT Pros

· Windows 8: Frequently Asked Questions

· Windows 8 Security Improvements

· Five Steps to Windows 8 Application Readiness

· Windows 8 Demonstrations

· Windows 8 Jump Start Training (basis for the WW DPE Windows 8 IT Camps)

· Windows 8 Training and Certification

· Try It Out: Sideload Windows Store Apps

And for Windows 7?
Here are some of the IT Pro highlights:

· Roundtable: Is Windows XP Good Enough?

· Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Guide

· Migrating User Files and Settings from Windows XP to Windows 7

· Understanding MDT, WDS, MAP, ACT, SCCM, and USMT

· Choosing a Deployment Strategy

· Deploying Windows 7 from A to Z

· Basic Windows Deployment for IT Pros

· Small and Midsize Business Guide

· Group Policy for Beginners

 

Where should I direct IT pros for support with deployment and other issues?
The Windows IT Pro Forums are among the most actively moderated on TechNet. They are a great resource for troubleshooting issues from application compatibility and installation to security and performance.

· Windows 8 IT Pro Forums

· Windows 7 IT Pro Forums

· Windows XP IT Pro Forums

· Internet Explorer Forums

· Windows Intune Forum

· MDOP Forums