TechNet Flash - Volume 16, Issue 12: June 11, 2014

Top News Worldwide 

Microsoft named a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud IaaS

Free Microsoft virtualization training for VMware experts with live Q&A on June 26

Join Mark Russinovich and Brad Anderson on June 23 for episode 2 of the Hybrid Cloud webinar series

Enterprise mobility: Setting up access and information protection to support BYOD

Top Downloads

Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 

SQL Server 2014 

System Center 2012 R2 

System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager 

Windows 8.1 Enterprise 

Windows Azure Pack 

Windows Intune 30-day trial 

Windows Server 2012 R2 

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

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Live training: Windows 8.1 Update for Enterprise Jump Start June 17–19

Microsoft technology experts will explore the new features available in Windows 8.1 Update. Dive into key enterprise scenarios that involve System Center Configuration Manager 2012 R2, Windows Intune, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), disk deduplication, and more. Register now.

The Master of Mobility covers access and information protection

Learn how Windows Server 2012 R2 can help you maintain control of corporate assets by using Workplace Join to register and validate all the devices in the company infrastructure.

Quick reference guide: Getting started with Office 365

Microsoft Office 365 delivers a suite of cloud-based services and productivity tools that can help you work and collaborate with others from wherever you are – online or offline. Learn about installing the applications, syncing files, accessing from mobile devices, and more.

An inside look at the benefits of Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions

In this two-part series, Simon May discusses the ins and outs (and in-betweens) of Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. In this first part of the series, you will get an overview of VDI and learn why organizations and end-users might find it beneficial in their day-to-day activities.

DevOps session highlights from TechEd 2014

This year’s TechEd North America 2014 event offered 9 sessions focused on DevOps. Weren’t able to make it there? Check out the DevOps blog for details and highlights from TechEd.

Office 365 extensibility: Extending SharePoint and Exchange using the new app model

This two-part developer special on Office 365 extensibility starts out by debunking the myth that full trust code is required to do things in SharePoint. Then watch episode 2 to see how you can create automatically personalized and data-driven email with the new mail apps using Visual Studio.

Edge Show: How to become a “differentiated IT pro”

Rick Claus interviews Distinguished Engineer Jeffrey Snover about how to become a “differentiated IT pro.” Watch this episode for advice from the developer sometimes called “the father of PowerShell.”

Quick reference guide: Exploring Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 offers robust support for touch-based, mouse-controlled, and keyboard-controlled devices. Check out this guide to learn more about Windows 8.1 and how you can use it on a variety of devices.

TechNet Radio: How Microsoft is simplifying authentication with Azure MFA

Technical Evangelist Tommy Patterson and Principal IT Enterprise Architect Laura Hunter discuss how Microsoft uses Azure MFA to handle more than 130,000 employees and 300,000 devices while also enabling users on non-domain machines to reset their passwords without calling helpdesk.

A closer look at desktop virtualization with the Master of Mobility

The Master of Mobility describes how Remote Desktop Session Host running on Windows Server 2012 R2 can deliver a consistent client desktop experience that's centrally managed and secure while you deploy personal virtual desktops to everyone's device.

New service: Get customizable security info with myBulletins Security Dashboard

Microsoft has released a customizable security bulletin service that lets you get a personalized list of the Microsoft Security Bulletins that matter most to you. You can view, filter, and download security bulletins for Microsoft products running in your environment. Try myBulletins now.

Enterprise mobility: Get a high-level overview of desktop virtualization deployment

Check out this blog series for an overview of how to create your own desktop virtualization solution by using the Remote Desktop Servicesserver role in Window Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Azure, and other Microsoft technologies.

An introduction to Microsoft Azure RemoteApp

Technical Evangelist Yung Chou explains how Microsoft Azure RemoteApp delivers Windows Server session-based applications from Azure, enabling users to access corporate applications from anywhere, on a variety of devices.

Source control in the cloud

This article from Randy Pagels discusses how he recently moved the source code of the Team System Café site from TFS on premises to Visual Studio Online. He explores the pros and cons of the services and walks you through the necessary steps.

What’s new in the latest Power Query update

Miguel Llopis, Program Manager for the Power Query team, steps through the new features available in the recent update to Power Query and describes how you can leverage the updates to provide enhanced business intelligence capabilities.

TechNet Virtual Labs: A fast and easy way to get hands-on experience with Windows Server 2012 R2

These free, hand-picked virtual labs let you immerse yourself in Windows Server 2012 R2. Gain experience at your own pace and without setting up your own servers. Register now.

Play now: Your daily IT pain points are now a fantasy game

Use your IT skills to fight your way through Quest of the Cloudwalker. It’s fun, it’s educational, and you might even win an Xbox One.

Microsoft IT: Designing infrastructure management for the new era of IT

To meet the changing needs of IT at Microsoft, the infrastructure management function underwent a service model redesign that shifted from technology-focused teams to teams that are aligned with IT services and disciplines. Learn more.

Training and Books

TechNet Virtual Labs: A fast and easy way to get hands-on experience with Windows Server 2012 R2

Register for these free, hand-picked virtual labs and immerse yourself in Windows Server 2012 R2. Gain experience at your own pace and without setting up your own servers. Register now.

Events

Live webinar: Building a mobility strategy that works

June 17, 2014
In today’s mobile-first, cloud-first world, employees expect the freedom to work anywhere, anytime, from a variety of devices. But planning an effective mobility strategy has challenges. This panel discussion will focus on mobility solutions that allow users to work safely and securely from most any devices. Register now.

Live training: Windows 8.1 Update for Enterprise Jump Start

June 17–19, 2014
Microsoft technology experts will explore the new features available in Windows 8.1 Update. Dive into key enterprise scenarios that involve System Center Configuration Manager 2012 R2, Windows Intune, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), disk deduplication, and more. Register now.

Hybrid Cloud: Join Mark Russinovich and Brad Anderson for episode 2 of this series

June 23, 2014
Register now to attend this webinar and learn more about how hybrid options are changing the way organizations approach infrastructure. New capabilities mean new opportunities and this discussion will include concrete examples of how you can incorporate a hybrid approach into your toolkit.

Free Microsoft virtualization training for VMware experts

June 26, 2014
The in-person version of this IT Camp has concluded, but you can still get the same comprehensive training – right from your favorite connected device. This free, online event will include a live Q&A to help you expand your virtualization skills. Register now.