Visual Studio 2012 is here!

We’ve already highlighted the new 2012 classes for Microsoft System Center, SQL Server and Windows Server; now let me introduce Visual Studio 2012!

Microsoft Visual Studio is a powerful IDE that ensures quality code throughout the entire application lifecycle, from design to deployment. Whether you’re developing applications for SharePoint, the web, Windows, Windows Phone, and beyond, Visual Studio is your ultimate all-in-one solution.

Experience powerful possibilities.
Discover how Visual Studio 2012 allows you to collaborate better and be more agile. Experience how it integrates best practices that accelerate development and deployment.

Add value to ALM at every point.
From strategy and planning all the way to deployment, see how Visual Studio brings continuous value to every point in the application lifecycle

You can now download the Release Candidate and try Visual Studio 2012 products for yourself!

Check out this video where Adam Cogan interviews Mark Groves from Microsoft about the next release of Visual Studio.  In the video they discuss:

- Mark Groves’ history at Microsoft
- What’s new in Visual Studio 2012
- What the best new features are
- How someone can review someone else’s code, and give actionable feedback

Don’t forget about our current 2010 Visual Studio classes.  Below are some of our most popular .NET classes.

M-10267 Introduction to Web Development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

This five-day instructor-led course provides knowledge and skills on developing Web applications by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.

M-10264 Developing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

In this course, students will learn to develop advanced ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms applications using .NET Framework 4 tools and technologies. The focus will be on coding activities that enhance the performance and scalability of the Web site application. ASP.NET MVC will be introduced and compared with Web Forms so that students know when each should/could be used. This will also prepare the student for exam 70-515.

M-10262 Developing Windows Applications with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

In this course, experienced developers who know the basics of Windows Forms development gain more advanced Windows Client design and development skills. WinForms and WPF programming models, as well as relative strengths and when to use each technology, are covered.

-Matt

Window Server 2012

Are you ready for Windows Server 2012?  It’s ok if you aren’t, because we have everything to get you started. 

Windows Server 2012 can help you provide:

Continuous Availability

New and improved features offer cost-effective, high IT service uptime. They are
designed to endure failures without disrupting services to users.

Management Efficiency

The automation of an even broader set of management tasks and the simplified deployment and virtualization of major workloads offer a path to full lights-out automation.

Cost Efficiency

Taking advantage of commodity storage, networking, and server infrastructure and increased power efficiency offer superior acquisition and operating economics.

Check out our selection of BRAND NEW Windows Server 2012 classes below and get a head start.

Administering Windows Server 2012

This version of this course 20411A utilizes pre-release software in the virtual machines for the labs.  The course is part two of a series of three courses, which provide the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2012 infrastructure in an existing enterprise environment. The three courses in total will collectively cover implementing, managing, maintaining and provisioning services and infrastructure in a Windows Server 2012 environment. While there is some cross-over in skillset and tasks across the courses, this course will primarily cover the administration tasks necessary to maintain a Windows Server 2012 infrastructure, such as user and group management, network access and data security.

11/26/12

Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012

This version of this course 20410A utilizes pre-release software in the virtual machines for the labs.  The five day course is part one, of a series of three courses, which provide the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2012 Infrastructure in an existing enterprise environment. The three courses in total will collectively cover implementing, managing, maintaining and provisioning services and infrastructure in a Windows Server 2012 environment. While there is some cross-over in skillset and tasks across the courses this course will primarily cover the initial implementation and configuration of those core services, such as Active Directory, networking services and initial Hyper-V configuration.  This course is also preparation material, and maps directly to, Exam 70-412: Administering Windows Server 2012.

10/1/12

Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012

This version of this course, 20417A, utilizes pre-release software in the virtual machines for the labs. This five day course will cover a new features and functionality in Windows Server 2012 around Management, Networking Infrastructure, Storage, Access Control, Hyper-V, High Availability as well as Identity federation. Specific technologies covered will include Dynamic Access Control (DAC), High Availability, Failover Clustering, Microsoft Online Backup as well as changes with Active Directory, Hyper-V and Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS). It is not a Product Upgrade course, detailing the considerations for migrating and upgrading your specific environment to Windows Server 2012, rather it will update your skills to Windows Server 2012.
This course is also preparation material, and maps directly to, the Exam 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012.

11/5/12

Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

This version of this course 20412A utilizes pre-release software in the virtual machines for the labs.  The five day course is part three, of a series of three courses, which provides the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2012 Infrastructure in an existing enterprise environment. The three courses in total will collectively cover implementing, managing, maintaining and provisioning services and infrastructure in a Windows Server 2012 environment. While there is some cross-over in skillset and tasks across the three courses this course will primarily cover advanced configuration and services tasks necessary to deploy, manage and maintain a Windows Server 2012 infrastructure, such as identity management and identity federation, network load balancing, business continuity and disaster recovery, fault tolerance and rights management.  This course is also preparation material, and maps directly to, Exam 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services.

-Matt

From Hotmail to Outlook

If you haven’t notice yet, Microsoft’s original e-mail machine, Hotmail, has now transitioned into a web based version of Outlook.  CBCNews reports that it will tie in efficiently with social media websites and make staying in touch with everyone much easier.  In the spirit of this news, I wanted to highlight our offerings for Outlook, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Office 365 and Microsoft Lync.  Check out some of our most popular choices below.

Microsoft Office Outlook 2010

You will use Outlook to compose and send email, schedule appointments and meetings, manage contact information, schedule tasks, and create notes.

Updating Your Skills from Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or Exchange Server 2007 to Exchange Server 2010

There are two main reasons for the course. Firstly, this course supports the large numbers of customers still running Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 in upgrading their skills and environments to Exchange 2010 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and to help drive that adoption.  Secondly, this course fills in a skills gap that currently exists in the portfolio and, while the content is not driven by the exam ODs, provide further support for the exams.

Configuring, Managing, and Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

This five-day, instructor-led course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to configure and manage a Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 messaging environment. This course does not require previous Exchange Server experience, but does require that students have significant experience in managing Windows Server and Active Directory directory services or Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This course will teach you how to configure Exchange Server 2010, as well as provide guidelines, best practices, and considerations that will help you optimize your Exchange server deployment.

Exchange 2010 Bootcamp Design, Configure, and Manage (10135/10233)

This is a combination of courses 10135 Configuring, Managing and Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and 10233 Designing and Deploying Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010. This intensive five-day, instructor-led course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to design, deploy, configure and manage an Exchange Server 2010 messaging environment. This course does not require previous Exchange Server experience, but does require that students have significant experience in managing Windows Server and Active Directory directory services or Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This course discusses how to design various features of Mailbox, Hub Transport, and Client Access server roles. Some features that are discussed include message transport, security, high availability, disaster recovery, upgrades. In addition, this course will teach you how to configure Exchange Server 2010, as well as provide guidelines, best practices, and considerations that will help you optimize your Exchange Server deployment.

Planning and Designing a Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Solution

This five-day instructor-led course teaches how to plan and design a Microsoft Lync Server 2010 solution to IT professionals.  The course emphasizes Voice features in Lync 2010 from a deployment perspective. In this course, students learn how to plan and design a Lync Server 2010 system.  The labs in this course utilize the Lync Server 2010 Planning Workbook and Planning Tool. This course helps the student prepare for Exam 70-665.

Deploying, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Lync Server 2010

This five-day instructor-led course teaches IT professionals how to deploy, configure, and administer a Microsoft Lync Server 2010 solution.  The course emphasizes Lync Server 2010 Enterprise Voice features from a deployment and configuration perspective. The labs in this course build on each other to create a solution that includes IM and Presence, Conferencing, and Enterprise Voice. This course helps the student prepare for Exam70-664.

*Exclusive MegaLab Included*
A Babbage Simmel extra: an additional lab has been added to this class.

-Matt

New Microsoft Dynamics CRM classes

We get it.  You have a lot of customers.  Wouldn’t it be great if you had a tool that could manage all of those customers as well as market to them at the same time?  We’ve got just what you’re looking for.  I’d like to introduce you to our selection of Microsoft Dynamics CRM classes.

Introduction to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This one-day instructor-led course provides an introduction to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. The course focuses on the user interface and working with the application and provides a foundation for other Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 courses. The course describes Microsoft Dynamics CRM concepts, the Web interface, the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook interface, searching, and reporting.

Marketing Automation in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This course introduces you on how to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM to extend the effectiveness of your marketing department and provides context of how to use things such as marketing campaigns, marketing lists, and campaign templates in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. It also discusses the role of campaign activities and marketing lists in campaigns and discusses how to associate sales literature, target products and price lists with marketing campaigns.

Sales Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This course introduces the capabilities of Sales Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM that allow you to track and manage the sales process from potential to close. It provides insight on using the Product Catalog and process sales information. It also introduces some of the tools used to analyze and report on sales information.

Service Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This course introduces Microsoft Dynamics CRM service management functionality and explains how it helps organizations track information about cases, customer complaints or requests, and small projects. You will learn how to use the knowledge base and discusses how organizations can browse, locate, and share information in the repository. It also discusses how to create, manage and use teams and queues in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Customization and Configuration

This course describes the techniques required to customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM to meet the specialized needs of businesses. The topics covered include Security; creation and configuration of entities; design of forms views and charts; auditing and Solutions. The course describes each topic and how each topic relates to the other topics to produce a full configured, effective solution.

Extending Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This course offers detailed and interactive information on how to develop extensions for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, with focus on extension methods documented in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK.  It provides instruction on the use of a number of Common Platform Operations, on how to query and execute these operations, as well as on developing a concise understanding of business process implementation and workflows.  In addition, the course describes how to use Plug-ins, application event programming, client extensions and web resources.  Finally, it includes a summary overview of the integration between Windows Azure and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Installation and Deployment

This two-day instructor course covers the installation and configuration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. The course describes the components used within a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 deployment, installation instructions for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server, the E-mail Router, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Office Outlook, how to configure Claims-based authentication and how to implement an Internet-facing deployment.

Workflow and Dialog Processes in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This training provides students with tools and information to help them better understand how processes can be implemented in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.

Reporting in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This one-day instructor-led course, Reporting in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, provides students the information to better understand reporting methods along with more advanced reporting features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.

-Matt

Java developers in high demand

A recent survey of tech-focused hiring managers concluded that Java Developer is the most difficult job to fill.  Do you have the skills to be one of these sought after it experts?  If not, that’s OK because we can make it happen.  Check out our Java offerings below and secure your future with certifications in the most demanding IT field.

Java 6 Programming Fundamentals for OO Developers

Java 6 Programming Fundamentals for OO Developers (C++, SmallTalk, etc) is a five-day, comprehensive hands-on workshop geared for developers who have prior working knowledge of object-oriented programming languages such as C++. Throughout the course students learn the best practices for writing great object-oriented programs in Java 6, using sound development techniques, new improved features for better performance, and new capabilities for addressing rapid application development. In addition to the normal exercises that are liberally sprinkled throughout the course, there is a case study that covers the entire spectrum from use cases to object-oriented design to implemented classes. This case study supplements the course and can be used during and after the course as a reference and a tool for reviewing and practicing what was learned in class.

Integrating JavaServer Faces, Hibernate and Spring 3.0

Students who attend Integrating JSF, Hibernate and Spring will leave the course armed with the required skills to design and implement web applications within Spring that effectively and transparently use Hibernate to manage data persistence and JSF to implement the view.  This course provides coverage of all the standard JSF components, renderers, converters, and validators, along with advice on how to use them to create solid applications.  Working in a hands-on, lab-intensive environment, students will explore and use complex user interface layouts, prototyping, and integrating templates with back-end model objects.

Introduction to Java Using Rational Application Developer

This course introduces the Java programming language and how to develop Java applications using RAD v7.5. Students learn the syntax of the Java programming language, object-oriented programming using Java, exception handling, generics, collections, and file input/output (I/O). During the course, students will develop and test Java applications using RAD v7.5.

Introduction to Java

This course introduces the Java programming language and how to develop Java applications using Eclipse. Students learn the syntax of the Java programming language, object-oriented programming using Java, exception handling, generics, collections, and file input/output (I/O). During the course, students will develop and test Java applications using Eclipse.

Advanced Java

This course teaches how to develop advanced Java applications using Eclipse. The advanced features of Java that developers may be using in many different types of programs are covered.

-Matt

ITIL training and certification

This week I’m going to talk about ITIL training.  IT Service Management certification helps distinguish those who have a deep understanding of best practice for ITSM and are capable of implementing these concepts to some degree immediately. Certification is also the foundation for developing a career path in IT Service Management.

Take a look at look at our ITIL Foundations course and some of our intermediate courses below.

ITIL Foundations

The ITIL 2011 Edition course is the entry level certification course for IT Service Management Best Practices training in ITIL.  This course covers the latest version of core ITIL best practices presented from a lifecycle perspective.  The course introduces the principles and core elements of IT service management (ITSM) based on ITIL 2011 Edition.  ITIL 2011 Edition is comprised of five core publications: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operations and Continual Service Improvement, promoting alignment with the business as well as improving operational efficiency.
This course is delivered using an exciting case study designed to further enhance and cement the candidates understanding of ITIL 2011 Edition.  Students who have attended this course are suitably prepared to successfully take the associated ITIL 2011 Edition certification test which is a requirement for attending any of the further learning courses (ITIL intermediate level training) available in this track.

ITIL Service Offerings and Agreements

The ITIL Intermediate Qualification: Service Offerings and Agreements (SOA) Certificate is part of the ITIL Intermediate Capability stream, and one of the modules that leads to the ITIL Expert in IT Service Management Certificate. By implementing ITIL Service Offerings and Agreement best practices, IT departments can ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by integrating demand and supplier management with the service portfolio and service catalog. Students will learn how to plan, implement and optimize the Service Offerings and Agreement processes and gain the knowledge required to prepare for the certification exam.

ITIL Operational Support and Analysis

The ITIL Intermediate Qualification: Operational Support and Analysis (OSA) Certificate is part of the ITIL Intermediate Capability stream, and one of the modules that leads to the ITIL Expert in IT Service Management Certificate. This 5 day course immerses students in the practical aspects of the ITIL v3 Service Lifecycle and processes associated with the Operational Support and Analysis of services and service delivery.

ITIL Release, Control and Validation

The ITIL Intermediate Qualification: Release, Control and Validation (RCV) Certificate is part of the ITIL Intermediate Capability stream, and one of the modules that leads to the ITIL Expert in IT Service Management Certificate. This 5 day course immerses students in the practical aspects of the ITIL v3 Service Lifecycle and processes associated with the Release, Control and Validation of services and service delivery. The main focus of this course is on the operational-level process activities and supporting methods and approaches to executing these processes. To implement new services in a controlled and cost-effective manner, IT departments must successfully implement ITIL Release, Control and Validation best practices. Students gain the skills required to take the ITIL Release, Control and Validation Certification Exam.

-Matt

Share the knowledge with Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 makes it easier for people to work together.

Using SharePoint 2010, your people can set up Web sites to share information with others, manage documents from start to finish, and publish reports to help everyone make better decisions.

There are so many benefits to using SharePoint.

Be More Productive

​SharePoint 2010 gives you deeper insight into operations. Features include an easy-to-use Central Administration Web site, new capabilities to manage and monitor your SharePoint farm, and Microsoft Windows PowerShell support.

Manage a Unified, Scalable Infrastructure

​SharePoint 2010 provides a single, scalable infrastructure that allows better control over server resources. For example, you can manage large lists more easily and improve data management and protection using high availability. Scalable services architecture also helps you centralize services like Search, My Sites, and Taxonomy. These services can be managed through Central Administration and scripted by Windows PowerShell. Plus, because the architecture is extensible, third-party companies can build and add services to the platform.

Take a look at some of our most popular SharePoint classes below.

M-10175 Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development

This course provides existing .NET developers with practical information and labs that enables them to build solutions on the Microsoft SharePoint 2010 platform.

7/30/12 and 8/20/12

M-10174 Configuring and Managing Microsoft SharePoint 2010

The course teaches students how to install, configure and administer SharePoint, and also manage and monitor sites and users by using SharePoint 2010.

7/23/12 and 8/27/12

M-10232 Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Applications

This five-day instructor-led course is intended for SharePoint Development professionals who are responsible for leading projects, designing solutions, and identifying problems. In this course, students learn the skills and best practices that are required to help organizations design and develop effective SharePoint applications.

9/17/12

M-SP729 SharePoint Governance – Planning and Oversight

This 2-Day course should be taken before you roll out SharePoint, but most often is attended after you have already attempted the rollout with significant shortcomings. Governance is a broad topic potentially touching every aspect of the organization. This class will focus on governance of content stored and used within SharePoint 2007 and 2010. We will cover the What, Who and How of governance with an end goal of getting you a good start on your governance team and plan.

9/4/12

-Matt