Yesterday, Microsoft Netherlands organized a free event for roughly 800 members of the Microsoft Partner Network, where they launched Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, together with Ingram Micro, Copaco, Actebis and Tech Data, and a lot of their OEM Partners like Dell, Samsung, HP, Asus, Acer, Toshiba and Fujitsu.
As I posted earlier, I was invited by Microsoft to present on this event on our experiences migrating to Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, focusing both on making the most of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 implementations and the cross- and upsell opportunities within the Microsoft Windows and Office families of products.
The event started with a keynote by Daniel van Soest and Tony Krijnen, followed by a 15-minute walkthrough of a Windows 8 device-wall by Marcel Nieuwpoort. People were standing in the back because the venue was packed (over 750 people attended) and people wanted to avoid missing anything from these two presentations:
After a short break, people were invited to the eight available 1-hour partner presentations and dive deeper sessions. Marcel Nieuwpoort (Microsoft) performed a session in dome 1 on the ‘3 screens and a cloud’ vision, Wouter Jansen (Microsoft) dove deeper in Windows 8 in dome 2, Jeffrey Vermeulen (Microsoft) told more about Windows Server 2012 and Hans van der Meer (Microsoft) showed off more of Office 2013. On the partner end, Rob Oud (Cad & Company) explained more about App Development, Peter Sterk (PQR) explained VDI, Micha Commeren (Resoluut) showed their Windows 8 apps and actually built an app on stage during his session and I presented on the experiences we had on deploying, managing and selling Windows 8 to customers in dome 8:
With the help of Michiel Hoogenboom (who also gave me a ride to the event), I performed the session twice. (Due to event timing issues, the timetable was adjusted.) Michiel took the following photos:
After the break-out sessions, Arjan Oude Kotte climbed the main stage with Lauren Verster to give away eight Windows 8 tablets:
The event closed with drinks, and of course, Daniel, Tony and I teamed up, as we’re the three IT Professionals Evangelists in the Netherlands, and had some fun:
Related blogposts
Further reading
Microsoft Evenementen – Objectives 2012
Microsoft Partner Network - Objectives 2012: Ontdek nieuwe kansen met Windows 8