In a very informal way James O’Neil, IT Professional Evangelist at Microsoft, announces that the company is now accepting nominations for Windows Server Virtualization (WSV, aka codename Viridian) Rapid Deployment Program (RDP):
We are getting ready to take nominations for this programme: It’s not an open beta program (it is expected to have only about 40 places) so most people will be turned away. There is a second programme called the Momentum programme which provides a lower level of support.
Our Goals
- Build closer relationship with customers to get deployment feedback
- Understand and document best practices
- Develop Case study evidence and customer references for the product launch
We will provide
- Early Access to Pre-Release Code and information
- Technical Support – providing an escalation contact and access to Premier support
- Access to application compatibility and test teams
- Part payment of consulting costs associated with the project
Customer Requirements
- Commit to deploying Windows Server Virtualization and / or System Center Virtual Machine Manager (we expect to see Executive sponsoring participation, a project manager and other staff allocated to the programme)
- Participate in regular status conference calls and training, and provide Provide ongoing status updates and surveys
- Pay part of consulting costs (Yes. You have to spend money to be on this programme)
- Install pre-release code into a production environment (unlike most beta programmes, we will support RDP participants running pre-release code in production)
If you want to enroll in this program, which is parallel to traditional beta programs, send an email to James.
Thanks to Steven Bink for the news.