Microsoft Canada Co. helps IT Pro Community Flourish in Canada
Microsoft TechNet Program in Canada helps fuel growth of user groups, from four to 26 in less than two years
Mississauga, Ontario – October 25, 2005 - Microsoft Canada Co. today announced a significant increase in membership among user groups. In just two years, the number of user groups of Microsoft software across the country has grown from four to 26 groups, with over 2,000 members. The increase is largely attributed to Microsoft’s commitment of resources to the Canadian IT professional community through the Microsoft TechNet Program.
The Microsoft TechNet program in Canada provides comprehensive, technical resources through events, webcasts, advisor blogs, virtual labs, the TechNet Flash IT newsletter and other online tools to help IT professionals evaluate, deploy and support Microsoft-based solutions. The interactive function of the program and Microsoft Canada’s ongoing support has served as a major catalyst for many IT professionals to start user groups in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, and Vancouver, based on their own diverse Microsoft-based technology interests. Microsoft’s TechNet Program staff work with user groups to boost membership, promote local events and share best practices. Microsoft Canada also provides logistical support like beta software to test and assist leaders in organizing speakers and venues for their group events.
Jean Luc David, president of the Toronto User Group (TUG), credits Microsoft Canada for providing him with the necessary support and resources to meet the needs of the local IT pro community. David recently organized a successful event for the TUG in Toronto called the Installfest of Windows Vista. At the event, which collected funds and food for local charities, more than 200 IT pros installed and tested the Windows Vista™ operating system on their laptops. Microsoft was able to help David facilitate the event by driving registrations, providing the software, as well as an IT pro advisor to lead the event and conduct a useful Q&A session for the attendees.
“After attending a TechNet event last year, I saw an opportunity to create a user group for other IT pros like myself who wanted to network and have access to high-quality technical presentations,” said Jean Luc David, president, the Toronto User Group. “Through Microsoft Canada’s ongoing support we have been able to bring in a range of technical speakers, and host events like Installfest that expose our 800 members to the in-depth knowledge they are looking for.”
Graham Jones, president of the Vancouver Technology User Group (VANTUG), agrees. “There is a feeling from our executives and members that Microsoft Canada is really listening and working hard to support us. They have provided an excellent caliber of speakers for our events and Microsoft Canada’s overall involvement has been very positive for our group.”
“Microsoft Canada is committed to providing IT professionals with the training and community programs to support their interests in Microsoft-based technology,“ said Andrew Dixon, director of Microsoft Windows Server System, Microsoft Canada. “This program not only connects IT professionals to Microsoft Canada and a wealth of resources but it also enables Microsoft to gather valuable feedback from user groups to ensure Microsoft-based technology satisfies customer’s needs.”
With Microsoft TechNet, IT professionals can also communicate and collaborate with their peers and Microsoft technical experts via the IT Pro blogs and chats. In addition, Microsoft Canada regularly hosts Canadian tours targeted to specific IT professional concerns, such as collaboration, security, managing core infrastructure, and mobility. For example, IT pros in cities across Canada can hear from Microsoft experts about the benefits of SQL Server™ 2005, Visual Studio® 2005 development system and BizTalk® 2005 server at the upcoming Launch Tour in November. For more information, please visit www.microsoft.ca/technet.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca
©2005 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
