Microsoft partners in the hot seat

Microsoft has announced a drive to educate its partners with countrywide Hands-on Labs, or hands-on training sessions. The Hands-on Labs cover training on the most current Microsoft products including Windows 2000, Exchange 2000, Small Business Server 2000, Project 2000 and Visio 2000. The training courses provide attendees with a focused, hands-on experience in an instructor-led environment.

"Feedback from our partners revealed that they would like less presentations and more hands-on experience with our products. Training attendees have also indicated that they want more training directly from Microsoft," says Gail Moffitt, channel programme manager at Microsoft South Africa. "Our partners sell what they understand, and hands-on training is a quick and effective way to rapidly increase their comfort level with Microsoft products and technologies."

Moffitt continues that the interactive sessions are set up in a lab environment, allowing attendees to use networked PCs loaded with the product, and Microsoft product experts are on hand to answer all questions. The PCs are preloaded with the customised product, accompanied by a 50-page lab exercise book. "The attendees get practical hands-on experience with Microsoft products such as Exchange 2000 Server. Trainees will learn the fundamentals of installing configuring, administering and maintaining Exchange 2000 in a small-to-medium size business. These valuable skills will equip them to better manage situations at customer sites," she says.

"The instructor keeps the attendees synchronised by going through the exercises with them on the big screen, with "Stop Points" every few minutes as indicated by the exercise book. Once the attendee has completed the three-hour course, Microsoft provides them with step-by-step guides to use on an ongoing basis and to share with colleagues," adds Moffitt.

To sign-up for these sessions call 0860 2255 67 For more information on the schedule and dates for the Hands-on Labs, go to the Microsoft Direct Access Web-site at: http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/directaccess