Month: January 2015

Did you miss the Azure IaaS for IT Pros Online Event or do you want to watch specific sessions for a second time to deep dive with Azure experts into topics like Core IaaS, Cloud Infrastructure Fabric, or Open Source Software on Azure? All of the technical sessions from the event are now available as on-demand courses at Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA).

Watch the Azure IaaS for IT Pros courses and earn MVA points!

Become an IaaS go-to guru

Mark Russinovich, Microsoft Azure Chief Technology Officer, kicks off the courses with his keynote on Core IaaS Infrastructure Technical Fundamentals, followed by deep technical training in the technologies critical for IT Pro Implementers, like you. Experts share their technical insights on topics including Core IaaS, Cloud Infrastructure Fabric, Open Source Software on Azure, and Workloads on Azure IaaS.

Be recognized for your skills

Test your knowledge and earn MVA points when you complete the courses. You’ll gain the technical insights you need to prepare for Exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions on your way toward Microsoft Azure Specialist Certification.

Azure IaaS for IT Pros on-demand course topics:

• Course 1: Establish the Foundation: Core IaaS Infrastructure Technical Fundamentals
• Course 2: Dive Deep into Networking, Storage, and Disaster Recovery Scenarios
• Course 3: Embrace Open Source Technologies (Chef and Puppet Configurations, Containerization with Docker and Linux) to Accelerate and Scale Solutions
• Course 4: Optimize Windows Workload Architecture and Administration Capabilities Within Azure

Hundreds of newly released sessions to spark your Ignite planning

The Microsoft Ignite Session Catalog is here! Be sure to take a look at the hundreds of sessions covering cloud infrastructure and management, big data and analytics, productivity, unified communications, operating systems, and mobile devices at the biggest enterprise technology event of the year! You’ll find sessions that provide deep technical detail on specific products, as well sessions that provide strategy, guidance and best practices on security and topics including deployment, operations and usage. We will be adding more sessions and labs in the coming weeks, so please check back often for updates.

Get more out of Ignite with a Pre-Day Session

For an additional investment of $500, Pre-Day Sessions on Sunday, May 3, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. offer a unique opportunity to extend your learning experience with a full day of focused training the day before the conference opens. These sessions are designed to provide you with a deep knowledge base and skills that you can apply as soon as you’re back in the office. You’ll be able to tap into the knowledge and insights of the people who, in many cases, literally wrote the book on their subject.

Network and network, then network some more

There is something special about the connections you make at events. That’s why we’re making it easy for you to find and connect with others interested in similar topics. There will be meet ups in lounges; fire-starter and birds-of-a-feather community-led sessions in theaters; regional, industry and technology-focused meal-time mashups; and after hour networking events with Microsoft tech and business leaders to add to your agenda to unwind, kick back, and truly enjoy the scene. You can talk tech all day and night.

Mark your calendars for #IgniteJam on Twitter

On February 3^rd at 9:00 am PT, we’ll have the whole event team and lots of speakers ready to chat with you on Twitter. We’ll be ready to answer your questions about the event and hear what you’re excited about in terms of community experiences and things to do in Chicago. Add the event to your calendar with this link.

To participate in this #IgniteJam

1. Log in to Twitter at 9:00 AM PT on February 3^rd. For easier real-time participation, use Twubs and join us at:  http://twubs.com/ignitejam.
2. Introduce yourself and include the hashtag #ignitejam and tag us at @MS_Ignite.
3. Watch for questions coming from @MS_Ignite and chime in with your answers and commentary, using the hashtag #ignitejam.

Feeling fired up? See where technology is headed and meet who’s fueling it—at Ignite. Register today, and add a Pre-Day Session to your Ignite agenda.

I be at Ignite Session will you..

Between January 5 and May 31, 2015, take any Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or Microsoft Dynamics exam, and get a free Second Shot if you fail the first take.

With our full transition to Pearson VUE as our sole exam delivery provider this year, there’s a slight difference in the Second Shot process. Please note:

• You must complete a Microsoft certification exam between January 5, 2015 and May 31, 2015. Simply go to https://www.microsoft.com/learning, log in, and schedule your exam.
• After your exam, log in to check your personal dashboard at https://www.microsoft.com/learning to verify testing results. Please allow up to 24 hours for results to show up on the dashboard.
• If you need a Second Shot, select “retake” for your exam within 30 days from your first take.
• Please review the Pearson VUE testing center availability for your specifc exam and then schedule your retake. 
• For complete terms and conditions of this offer, visit the Second Shot page on our website.

Good luck on your road to a new Microsoft certification title.