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Cisco, Microsoft Team Up For Data Center Virtualization Solutions

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Cisco has announced that is partnering with Microsoft to deliver data center virtualization solutions designed to provide improved scalability and operational control of Microsoft Windows Server “8” virtual environments.

The Cisco Nexus 1000V distributed virtual switch and the Cisco Unified Computing System with Virtual Machine Fabric Extender (VM-FEX) capabilities will work with the Windows Server Hyper-V hypervisor to provide customers with Cisco networking features that are constant across both virtual and physical networks while supporting customers’ existing IT management processes.

The Cisco Nexus 1000V distributed virtual switch adds the dynamic provisioning and management capabilities of Cisco NX-OS Software to Windows Server Hyper-V to simplify the operations of virtual networking infrastructures as extensions of physical networks.

It also provides full VM-level visibility, security controls in a virtualized environment that are consistent with their Cisco physical network.

By working with Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) management tools, the Cisco Nexus 1000V will help network, virtualization and server administrators gain efficiency in collaboratively managing multi-tenant and mobile virtual environments. It also helps them to obtain real-time data for troubleshooting of virtual environments.

The Cisco Nexus 1000V and VM-FEX solutions for Hyper-V will be available when Windows 8 Server is released to the market.

App-DNA Names Former Microsoft Exec As Chairman of the Board

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App-DNA has named Patrick De Smedt as Chairman of its Board of Directors as part of the new expanded executive team.

De Smedt was previously a non-executive member of the App-DNA Board and former Chairman of the Microsoft EMEA organization.

In this new role, he will support the continued growth and global expansion of App-DNA.

De Smedt is a 23-year veteran of Microsoft and former Chairman of the Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa organization. As one of the first European employees for Microsoft, De Smedt held several roles as Microsoft expanded. He joined Microsoft in 1983 as one of the pioneers in Europe.

He was General Manager of Microsoft Benelux, Vice-President of the Enterprise Group in EMEA and Vice-President of Western Europe. He was appointed as Chairman of the EMEA region in 2003. When Patrick left Microsoft at the end of 2006, the EMEA region generated revenues of $12 billion with a headcount of 12,000 employees.

Patrick currently serves on the boards of a number of public and private companies.

App-DNA analyzes the ‘DNA’ of an application, using insight about applications to guide decisions about application migration, management and evolve application portfolios long term. The App-DNA AppTitude software platform helps enterprises worldwide save time, cost and risk in managing applications for Windows 7, Internet Explorer, Microsoft App-V, Citrix XenDesktop XenApp, VDI and Windows Server 2008 initiatives.

App-DNA is a CitrixReady Core Partner, Citrix Technology Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, a member of the Microsoft System Center Alliance and a Microsoft Jumpstart partner.

Release: Parallels Automation For Microsoft Services (And More)

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Parallels, the hosting and cloud services enablement provider, has announced expanded support for Microsoft technologies and tools to help service providers become full-service cloud service providers.

Parallels Automation for Microsoft Services and the enablement tools for ISVs will help Microsoft independent software vendors (ISVs) profit from the cloud.

To allow for efficient integrated delivery of cloud services based on Microsoft technologies with other complementary offerings, Parallels Automation for Microsoft Services (PA 5.2) enables service providers of all sizes to profit from the Cloud by automating delivery of the most complete set of cloud services, including Office 365 Syndication, Hyper-V Cloud, Exchange Server 2010 SP1, and SharePoint Foundation 2010.

With Parallels Automation for Microsoft Services, service providers will be able to resell Microsoft offerings and increase the average revenue per user. With support for the n-tier resell business model, Parallels Automation allows system integrators and VARs to extend the range of cloud services without investment in infrastructure.

Within the Microsoft Services suite, Parallels has also upgraded Parallels Automation support for Microsoft’s System Center Hyper-V Cloud, enabling service providers to offer an IAAS solution either directly or through resellers.

Parallels is now deployed with 10 Cloud Service Providers in Americas, Europe and Asia offering reseller services to the Microsoft VAR and SI community.

ChangeBASE Now Covers Microsoft Windows Desktop Virtualization Technologies

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ChangeBASE, which provides automated application compatibility testing and remediation solutions, has created a new application compatibility tool for companies considering moving to a session virtualization or virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment with Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services (RDS).

The AOK Tool helps to determine which applications will work optimally in a server-hosted desktop virtualization environment on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Using the AOK Tool together with the recently launched ChangeBASE reporting rules and plug-ins for RDS which have been developed together with Microsoft makes it easier to find out which applications will work out of the box and which ones may experience issues.

RDS is one of the core virtualisation technologies available in Windows Server 2008 R2.

In addition to the traditional session virtualisation scenario (formerly known as Terminal Services), RDS has expanded its role to provide an extensible platform for VDI.

RDS, which separates where the desktop or application is used from where it is run, accelerates desktop & application deployments and improves remote worker efficiency, while helping to keep critical intellectual property secure and to simplify regulatory compliance.

Microsoft Virtualization Partner of the Year: M7 Global Partners

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Meet this year’s Microsoft ​Virtualization Partner of the Year: M7 Global Partners, a consortium of the US’ leading partner firms, AEC Group, Entisys Solutions/Agile360, Gotham Technology Group, IntraSystems, IPM, LPS Integration, and Right! Systems.

Prior to 2010, these seven partners were not collectively focused on virtualization, and as such, lacked a sales pipeline and few opportunities for success.

After joining forces, they were able to successfully shift their focus from VMware to Microsoft, becoming valuable assets to the US subsidiary, landing as managed partners and achieving their Microsoft Gold Certifications. M7’s vision to accelerate sales execution in desktop virtualization and cloud computing is the go-to desktop virtualization partner for their customers.

This vision incorporates the broad array of Microsoft’s offerings across virtualization, systems management, Windows client and cloud solutions including Office 365.

Finalists were Bechtle (Germany) and Citrix Systems (United States)

Release: Microsoft System Center Orchestrator 2012 Beta

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Microsoft has announced that its System Center Orchestrator 2012 Beta is now available for download and testing.

According to Microsoft, System Center Orchestrator 2012 lets you:

– Connect heterogeneous environments through integration

– Create custom integrations to any system using the Quick Integration Kit

– Realize benefits and value faster through flexible process workflows

– Improve service reliability across multiple tools, systems and departmental silos

– Free up scarce IT resources for work that adds real value to your business

– Reduce the number of manual and error-prone tasks and activities performed

The product comes from Microsoft’s Opalis acquisition.