Microsoft New Efficiency Launch-in-a-Box

Take advantage of the joint launch of the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems, and Exchange Server 2010 to generate leads and drive business with effective customer events. Host your own launch event by using the resources in the Microsoft New Efficiency campaign launch event-in-a-box.

Compare Windows Server to Linux

When making a platform decision, many organizations focus on key attributes, such as total cost of ownership (TCO), reliability, and support. The chart below helps put these key criteria in perspective as you compare the advantages and disadvantages of Windows Server versus Red Hat commercial Linux.

Compare Windows Server to Unix

An optimized desktop can help your customers save money in the short term and the long term.

Cost savings with desktop optimization

An optimized desktop can help your customers save money in the short term and the long term.

Managing a VMware Infrastructure using System Center Virtual Machine Manager

Server Management Suites Volume Licensing – System Center

This site helps you to locate pricing and licensing information on the System Center server management suites.

Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2

Vmware Comparison

Resources to help you compete with Vmware

Windows Desktop Solution Accelerators – Windows 7

Use the proven guidance and automated tools in these Solution Accelerators to assess your hardware, deploy and securely operate Windows 7.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Licensing

Microsoft will introduce new licensing options with the release of Windows Server 2008 R2 to address customer business needs and to complement the technical capabilities of Microsoft server products.

Windows Server Editions

Windows Server 2008 R2 is available in multiple editions to support the varying server and workload needs of organizations.

Worker scenarios for the optimized desktop

Learn more about five scenarios for enabling workers to be successful in their jobs with Microsoft desktop solutions.

BranchCache details

The Windows 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 operating systems introduce BranchCache, which enables content from file and Web servers on a wide area network (WAN) to be cached on computers at a local branch office. BranchCache can improve application response time and reduce WAN traffic.

Exchange: Performance analysis and power savings of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 consolidation on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides for Desktop Virtualization

Start planning your infrastructure for App-V and Med-V with Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides for Desktop Virtualization.

MDOP ROI Calculator

Use this analysis tool to help customers examine current MDOP opportunities for improvement, quantifying the potential savings, service level and agility benefits, investment and ROI for implementing MDOP.

Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit

Use this free toolkit to assess your customer's current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for their IT needs

Return on Investment Analysis for Server Consolidation Assessment

Using the MAP Toolkit, you can export the consolidation recommendations to an XML file, import the XML file to the Alinean Integrated Virtualization ROI calculator, and analyze your potential ROI and cost savings.

Virtualization ROI tool

Estimate the return on investment in Microsoft Virtualization solutions. Now integrated with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit.

Virtualization ROI tool user guide

Windows Desktop Solution Accelerators – Windows 7

Use the proven guidance and automated tools in these Solution Accelerators to assess your hardware, deploy and securely operate Windows 7.

Customer Story: AGC Automotive

"Using System Center solutions, we've realized a 50 percent reduction in the overall time it takes to manage our data center. Plus, by reducing firefighting, we're able to take on a more strategic role for the company and reduce outside consulting fees." - Steve Gray, Manager of Support Services

Customer story: CDW increases performance with Windows 7

"Windows 7 performs better than earlier systems—on the same hardware with no upgrades necessary. We're seeing a 25 percent drop in start-up times, along with about 33 percent better power management on Windows 7." Doug Miller, Practice Architect, CDW

Customer Story: Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines Projects $1.5 Million Annual Savings Through Virtualization.

Customer Story: Convergent Computing

"With DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, we were able to get rid of our VPN, saving us $40,000 a year .... We also saved $20,000 by not having to buy an updated SSL VPN device." Rand Morimoto, President, Convergent Computing

Customer story: Convergent Computing

"Consulting Firm and Microsoft Partner Saves $64K in Annual Overhead with Data Protection Manager. ""With a solution this solid, we have the luxury of being able to rely almost completely on automated backup." Rand Morimoto, President, Convergent Computing

Customer Story: Crutchfield

Audio retailer makes sound decision with virtualization, saves $245,000 in hardware.

Customer story: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

"It was getting harder to manage our virtualized environment, so we were really excited about the management efficiencies we would get with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008." Robert McShinsky, Senior Systems Administrator, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Customer Story: Edipower

“Today, with Hyper-V, we’ve provided the business with a uniform, high-performing IT infrastructure that is easy to manage and maintain.”

Customer Story: Food Company Uses Virtualization to cut IT Costs by $2 Million

"Using Microsoft software, we were able to reduce our server holdings by 76 percent and our energy costs by 78 percent. We can funnel this $2 million savings into other areas of the business." Dario Galinec, Chief Information Officer, Podravka

Customer Story: Ingersoll Rand

“We are also saving those VMware software costs, because Hyper-V software is a free server role within Windows Server 2008. Overall, our Hyper-V virtualization solution at the 39 sites is avoiding a cost of $571,350.”

Customer Story: NuStar Energy

"Without Microsoft software, I would need 50 percent more people to manage our environment. Microsoft management software is important in containing costs as we grow our worldwide infrastructure." - Robert Amos, Manager of IT Systems

Customer Story: PoundHost

Hoster Uses Hyper-V to Provide Servers on Demand and Boost Profitability by 55 Percent

Customer story: Systex cuts IT work 50% with Windows 7

"Our IT staff used to spend 50 percent of its time monitoring and removing unauthorized software from computers. Windows 7 eliminates this work. [They] can now spend more time creating new solutions." David Feng, Technical Director, Systex

Customer story: Total Wine & More

"System Center has really enabled us to be more proactive in the way we think about our business and freed up time for our staff to take on new projects that will move the business forward." Todd Slan, Director of Technology

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT 2010) provides a common console with the comprehensive tools and guidance needed to efficiently manage deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.