14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is continuing to push forward with the evolution of what was initially the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator. The Solution Accelerator originally designed to handle only Windows Vista and the Office 2007 System has grown to play nice with Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5, Windows Server Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Microsoft Online Services, Power Management, and even SQL Server 2008. The Redmond company is gearing up to release the first Beta build of the next version of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Solution Accelerator come October 2008.
“In this new release, we will offer an extended set of functionalities that will include: SQL Server migration assessment - advanced features including instances inventory and SKU/version identification, Microsoft Online Services survey-assessments for onboarding/migration; green IT/Power Management calculations; server virtualization assessments including Host/Guest relationship inventory of existing physical/virtual environments,” revealed Baldwin Ng, Senior Product Manager, Solution Accelerators Team.
The Solution Accelerator is set up to scan and evaluate various components of an IT infrastructure including desktops, laptops, servers, and network devices, but also applications in order to assess readiness when it comes down to the migration to Microsoft’s latest technologies and products. Version 3.1 of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit was made available for download at the end of June 2008. Now the Redmond giant is preparing the next stage for the toolkit, and is already accepting registrations for the Beta process and the first development milestone via Microsoft Connect.
“Our team is pleased to announce that we are opening the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.2 Beta Program for registration. Please join the MAP Toolkit 3.2 Beta Program today. We plan to release the beta downloads in October 2008,” Baldwin Ng added.
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator 3.1 is available for download here.