14 DAY TRIAL // There are still components of the next iteration of the Office System that Microsoft has yet to debut into Technical Preview stage. Such is the case for Project 2010. The Redmond company confirmed that invitations for participation in the testing program for Project 2010 had not been sent out to potential testers that had expressed interest in getting an early view of the upcoming version of Project. In contrast to Project 2010, Microsoft has given the Technical Preview of Office 2010 the green light since last week, on the first day of the Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 in New Orleans.
“This is to confirm that the invitations for Technical Preview are anticipated to be released in July, and have not been released yet. This is a private invitation only opportunity for Microsoft Partners,” revealed Doug McCutcheon, Microsoft Partner Strategy for the Project business. “Our release will include the first opportunity for partners to access the Project 2010 client, TAP only had Project Server 2010. Also included will be Project Server 2010 and SharePoint 2010. All software is issued under strict NDA and should not be shared with anyone else.”
In June 2009, the software giant had issued a final call for participation in the Microsoft Project 2010 client and Project Server 2010 Technical Preview. McCutcheon explained at that time that the invitations were designed to allow select companies to express their interest in accessing the Technical Preview of Project/Project Server 2010.
“The invitation was issued to all known EPM Specialized partners; Independent Software Vendors (ISV’s) that build on Project/Project Server; Project Most Valued Professionals (MVP’s) and Project/Project Server courseware builders (books, Computer Based Training (CBT) DVD’s, instructor lead, on-demand),” McCutcheon noted. “There is only one invitation per company and it was sent to the company’s primary contact as registered in the Microsoft Partner Portal or through the Microsoft field providing contact details.”