DavidOverton.com
This site is my way to share my views and general business and IT information with you about Microsoft, IT solutions for ISVs, technologists and businesses, large and small.  
David Overton's Blog » Do you want to beta test Centro, the big brother to SBS based on Longhorn by becoming a TAP partner?
Do you want to beta test Centro, the big brother to SBS based on Longhorn by becoming a TAP partner?

 

It is strange how some things are so different and yet so similar.  If I was to talk to you about a product from Microsoft that ran Windows, Exchange, SQL and ISA and had some management capability then you might think I was talking about SBS, but this time, that is not so.  This time I am talking about the grown up brother - codename "Centro".

We are looking for a few good men (or women) to test this and potentially even roll this out with some customers.  This is not something to just say yes to without actually being able to test it somehow, but if you think this is you, then here are the details:

Windows Server "Centro" Technical Beta and Technology Adopter Programme

Microsoft are shipping a private beta of its upcoming 64-bit server product for midsize businesses, codenamed "Centro. The server, which is an x64-only version of Longhorn targeted at smaller enterprises will integrate together Exchange 2007, System Centre Essentials, SQL Server 2005 and ISA Server.

We are urgently looking for Partners to give us feedback on Windows Server “Centro”. If you have a partner who is willing to test some next generation technology then please ask them to sign up to the Beta.

Centro will provide IT professionals in midsize businesses with simplified, guided installation across multiple servers, using a single administration console that will provide a unified view of the network. That will include providing consolidated alerts and automated wizards. Centro, which is due out in 2008, will also provide integrated license reporting aimed at making it easier for IT professionals to track the licenses used in their company.

How Partners sign up to the Beta:

Go to http://connect.microsoft.com, click on Invitations sign in with their Windows Live ID (Passport ID) and enter the following invite ID; Extr-GHBC-JCJM. They will be asked to take a short Survey. Once they complete the survey they should look for an email from [email protected]. If you don't already trust this address, please add it to your trusted email addresses.

http://ad101com.adbureau.net/IMPCNT/ccid=7927/aamsz=336x280/pos=m02/site=adt/area=article/aID=19861/TOPIC=64-bit%20Windows%20server%20%20Centro%20%20Longhorn/acc_random=31775/pageid=31775

More information on the beta programme:

http://blogs.technet.com/kent_compton/archive/2006/10/24/centro-technical-beta-and-technology-adopter-program-is-looking-for-a-few-good-testers.aspx

More information on 'Centro’:

http://www.adtmag.com/article.aspx?id=19861

Posted Sun, Jan 14 2007 7:21 PM by David Overton
Filed under: , , , ,

Comments

Glen O'Riley wrote re: Do you want to beta test Centro, the big brother to SBS based on Longhorn by becoming a TAP partner?
on Sat, Nov 17 2007 8:26 AM

I attempted to join up to this evaluation but was rejected after putting the code in.

I received error "The invitation code you entered is invalid, assigned to another person, or else the program is no longer accepting invitations. "

I can be contacted via <snipped> if you feel like replying.

David Overton wrote re: Do you want to beta test Centro, the big brother to SBS based on Longhorn by becoming a TAP partner?
on Sat, Nov 17 2007 7:43 PM

Add a Comment

(required)
(optional)
(required)
Remember Me?

(c)David Overton 2006-23