Technical Support for Deploying Microsoft software in the Lab
This page describes how a department can get the best out of their MSDN AA subscription through technical guidance and support. There are 3 main options that a System Administrator should consider when dealing with technical issues in deployment.
Support options available:
 | Check out the Online Resources section for Best Practice guidance, Managed newsgroups, links to members only websites and new white papers from academics on deployment issues. |
 | As part of MSDN AA membership, you receive four free professional support incidents which can be used for problems related to software development, or break fixes in a test or lab environment. |
 | Request a Support Voucher from Microsoft UK to entitle the department to one free support incident with the Educational Support Centre for the most challenging software deployment issues. |
For general queries about your membership, please contact the MSDN AA Customer Services Team on academicalliance@eu.subservices.com - or free phone 0800-0517215.
1. Online Resources and Guidance
Dr David Grey of the Department of Computer Science at University of Hull provides a comprehensive practical guide to deploying Visual Studio Team System in an academic environment. He outlines issues encountered in implementing relevant features of Visual Studio Team System and shows the methods and processes the university used to successfully deploy this tool.
By using the Zero Touch Installation (ZTI) technique of deployment, administrators are able to greatly improve on the time and efficiency of deploying desktops. Gareth Hughes of the Education Support Centre at Nottingham Trent University uses the centre’s experience of the types of problems customers’ encounter to demonstrate a deployment solution based around Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 and the Operating System Deployment (OSD) Feature Pack for SMS 2003. He includes common issues and errors of deployment and ways to resolve these.
Gareth Hughes of the Education Support Centre at Nottingham Trent University draws on customer experiences to show how Microsoft Computer Toolkit for Windows, LimitLogon Tool, can be used for maximum security and administrator benefits in institutions. The paper offers a helpful and practical insight into this free tool.
Introducing powerful new software tools for shared computers in schools, libraries, Internet cafes, and other public places. The Shared Computer Toolkit helps make it easy to set up, safeguard, and manage reliable shared computers running genuine Windows XP.
The TechNet Security Center provides links to technical bulletins, advisories, updates, tools, and prescriptive guidance designed to help IT pros keep Microsoft servers, desktops, and applications up to date and secure.
Many organisations including academic institutions are now beginning to evaluate and plan on deploying Windows Vista as the main operating system for PCs in their environments. With such a move come a number of requirements and checks that need to happen for System Administrators to successfully deploy and maximise their use of the new OS. TechNet has compiled a web site for IT Professionals who want to understand and prepare for Windows Vista.
Do you have expertise and experience in deploying Microsoft products in an academic environment? If you would like to share your knowledge with others by writing a white paper you can send us a proposal by emailing the UK Academic team at ukmsacad@microsoft.com Please include a brief summary of your topic and key points and include your contact details and the teaching institute you are part of.
The above represents a small section of the widely available resources, advice and downloads which can help a System Administrator do their job and maintain a performing and secure Microsoft based network. We will continually update this section with relevant resources as and when we come across them. If you can think of any must-have resources or are struggling to find online information then please drop us an email at ukmsdnaa@microsoft.com
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Often the best place to start is to see how other people deploy software and manage their systems. Many of our customers have faced severe technical challenges in deploying Microsoft software in the lab and have worked through the pains of finding a solution. We will shortly be publishing a number of best practices for you to review. In the meantime, why not review our UK MSDN AA case studies.
If you have any best practice material that you would like to share with the wider MSDN AA community then please send us an email us on ukmsdnaa@microsoft.com and we would be happy to help publish it and help promote the great work your department is doing.
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Members-Only Website and Resources
The members only site gives information and links of interest to MSDN AA members. As an MSDN AA subscriber, you can post unlimited .NET product and technology questions to more than 230 Microsoft public newsgroups. If your post is not accurately answered by another community member or by one of our Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), we guarantee that a Microsoft Support Professional will get back to you within two working days. You can also use the MSDN Online Concierge which helps you find articles quickly and easily in the MSDN Library or Microsoft Knowledge Base.
2. MSDN AA complimentary support incidents
As an MSDN AA member, your department is entitled to four free support incidents for technical issues. The support incidents may be used for questions related to setup and installation, software development, and system administration. This support is available for any Microsoft product (in accordance with the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy) but cannot be used on pre-release or beta software shipments included in MSDN subscriptions.
How does this support work?
The Microsoft Engineer will collect information about the particular issue and will contact you later with an answer or a resolution. The programme administrator may authorize a faculty member to use a Microsoft support incident. The person calling should have your MSDN AA membership number and all the details related to the question or problem.
How to take advantage of your support incident
To use one of your support incidents, please call 0870 60 10 100 and quote your MSDN AA subscription number. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and calls are charged at national rates.
We suggest you seek assistance in the MSDN AA faculty newsgroups before using a professional support incident, which should be reserved for difficult, highly specialized issues.
3. New! - Deployment Support Special Offer
Support offer for your most challenging deployment issues
If you have tried all other support options available and are still facing difficulties installing with Microsoft technology in your teaching environment, why not take advantage of a new deployment support voucher offer for UK MSDN Academic Alliance full members. (Please note that this offer is subject to availability and Terms and Conditions apply).
From 10 March, all UK MSDN AA full members in higher or further education can apply for up to two complimentary deployment support vouchers. A deployment support voucher will entitle you to professional support from the Education Support Centre (ESC) for issues within an education environment. The ESC combine great Microsoft technical 'know-how' with a thorough understanding of your sector's needs.
Send us your feedback
If you are an MSDN AA member in the UK and you are looking for support which is not mentioned here or if you have a best practice you’d like to share with your other MSDN AA members, please let us know on ukmsdnaa@microsoft.com