Migration by the numbers – Step 9

Step 9 in a series of posts documenting the Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 upgrade process on SBS 2008. This is based on the document:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2dc66a0f-f840-4b29-93d3-13db70c85cba&;;displayLang=en

Previous steps:

Step 1

Step 9 – Detach the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 database from Windows Internal Database

You will need to have the SQLCMD utility installed on your server before you can complete these steps. This can be downloaded directly for SBS 2008 (x64) via:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/4/d/44dbde61-b385-4fc2-a67d-48053b8f9fad/SQLServer2005_SQLCMD_x64.msi

(*Authors note. I think it would be better to install the SQL Management Studio Express to complete this step as you need it for the next step anyway and other maintenance in general. Although the SQLCMD utility is handy to have I don’t see it being necessary).

Click Start in the Search box type CMD.

Under Programs right mouse click on CMD and select the option Run as administrator from the menu that appears.

At the command prompt type the following commands all followed by the ENTER key:

sqlcmd -S np:\\.\pipe\MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE\sql\query
use master
alter database ShareWebDb set single_user with rollback immediate
go
sp_detach_db ‘ShareWebDb’
go

The WSS v3 content database is now removed from being connected to SQL Embedded Edition 2005. The next step will attach it to the SQL Server 2008 Express.

Migration by the numbers – Step 8

Step 8 in a series of posts documenting the Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 upgrade process on SBS 2008. This is based on the document:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2dc66a0f-f840-4b29-93d3-13db70c85cba&;;displayLang=en

Previous steps:

Step 8 – Create a new SharePoint application in SharePoint Central Administration

Click Start | All programs | Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products | SharePoint 2010 Central Administration.

Accept the UAC that appears.

From under Application Management select Manage Web applications.

From the ribbon menu select New (top left).

Select Create a new IIS Web site (leaving Classic mode authentication set).

In the Name field type SBS SharePoint (note that the case and spelling are important here).

Ensure the Port field = 80.

In the Path field type C:\Program Files\Windows Small Business Server\Bin\webapp\InternalWebSite where C: is the drive where the Windows Operating system is installed.

Scroll down for more options.

Set the Authentication Provider = NTLM

Set Allow Anonymous = No

Set Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) = No

Ensure that Zone in the Public URL section = Default.

Scroll down for more options.

Select the option Create new application pool in the Application Pool section.

The Application pool name enter SBS SharePoint AppPool (note that spelling and case are important here. If this is incorrect you will not see SharePoint integration on the SBS console).

Leave the Database Server and Database Name unchanged.

Ensure Database authentication = Windows Authentication

Scroll down for more options.

Don’t make any further changes and press the OK button.

You should see the message that your settings are being configured. This process may take a few minutes depending on your server.

You should then see that a message like shown above detailing the success of the process.

Press OK to continue.

You will be returned to the Web Applications screen in Central Administration. Here you should now see an additional web site called SBS SharePoint as shown above.

Migration by the numbers – Step 7

Step 7 in a series of posts documenting the Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 upgrade process on SBS 2008. This is based on the document:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2dc66a0f-f840-4b29-93d3-13db70c85cba&;;displayLang=en

Previous steps:

Step 7 – Remove the default Web application in SharePoint Central Administration

Click Start | All programs | Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products | SharePoint 2010 Central Administration.

Accept the UAC that appears

From under Application Management select Manage Web applications.

Click on the site SharePoint – 80

Select the pull down arrow under the Delete button on the ribbon

and select Delete Web Application

In the dialog that appears select Delete content databases = No.

Press the Delete button to continue.

Click OK to confirm.

My SMBNation presentation reviews are in

I’d firstly like to thank all the people who took the time to complete the feedback forms after my SMBNation 2010 presentation. I’ll share with you the highlights.

I am extremely happy to see that the majority of the feedback was positive and I readily acknowledge that there was also feedback that wasn’t as positive and will certainly take that on board and endeavour to improve.

There have been plenty of requests for more detailed technical content which is certainly easily done but please remember that this session was only one of a number that I proposed. Also please remember that SMBNation has to select speakers and topics that it believes will appeal to attendees, no simple task. Likewise when a presenter gives a session they are never really sure about the technical skills or experience of attendees. In light of all that I tried to provide a session that was memorable, informative and beneficial to what I believed to be the majority of the audience. A certain amount of guess-work and assumptions play a part.

However, I do welcome all feedback, both positive and negative on what I present and how I present. I appreciate that it isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea and by all means if you don’t like what I’m presenting let know how it can be improved. Don’t be shy.

That said, it certainly appears most are interested in more detailed technical information about SharePoint and with that in mind I’m looking to maybe do a pre-day in conjunction with others next year (if I get the opportunity to attend again mind you). If you’ve got some ideas about what would be worthwhile and how it should be presented please let me know (director@ciaops.com).

Once again to all who took the time to not only attend my session but also to provide me with feedback I say thank you and I owe you a drink!

Facebook effect

When I give presentations to technology types I am always amazed at how many have never heard of docs.com. Docs.com is a collaboration between Microsoft and Facebook to allow the creation (using Microsoft Office Web Apps) and the sharing (using Facebook) of these Office documents for FREE. To get an idea have a look at my docs.com stuff at:

http://docs.com/@ciaops

Why would Microsoft want to do this you may ask? Firstly, most ‘younger’ people don’t use desktop applications anymore to create documents they use ‘cloud’ based alternatives. Microsoft realized that if it didn’t provide something to keep these people using Microsoft products they would lose them forever and potentially forgo future revenue as they moved into business and continued to use the same non-Microsoft ‘cloud’ products they use now.

Secondly, Facebook is really starting to become a very powerful feature of the technology landscape. Like it or not it is perceived as the place to be these days. This is further evidenced by the recent high profile defection of Lars Rasmussen (of Google Maps and Wave fame) and Kate Vale (Google’s first employee in Australia) to Facebook. You can read about these moves here:

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/why-i-quit-google-to-join-facebook-lars-rasmussen-20101101-1799q.html

and

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/giant-flaw-pair-put-finger-on-google-brain-drain-20101101-179mk.html

Microsoft already owns a small percentage of Facebook and that is looking like a smarter and smarter move every day as Facebook continue to vacuum up all sorts of technology companies as it seeks to continue to grow and monetize its more than 500 million users.

Here is another interesting article “Google: The Search party is over” which details how Google is not only facing maturity in its major product (search), but also a brain drain to ‘hipper’ companies like Facebook. A few years back people considered Google untouchable, oh how times change eh?

All this makes for interesting reading and seems to indicate the way forward at this stage will involve Facebook. I would say that if you are pondering the ‘cloud’ then I think you should take a look at what docs.com (and Facebook) can do and where it may fit, because if you aren’t I’ll bet your customers and competitors are.

Need to Know podcast – Episode 8

The next CIAOPS Need to Know podcast (Episode 8) with Richard Tubb from Jamescash.co.uk.

The details of the podcast are:

http://www.ciaops.com/n2k – Episode 8 = 55MB (58 mins)

or via direct download:

http://bit.ly/cia-n2k8

Richard and I discuss the challenges of merging a technology business and how to use social media successfully.

So let me know what you think and if you are interested on being on the show please also contact me (director@ciaops.com) as I am always looking for people to talk about business and technology.

Stay tuned as there plenty of great episodes coming real soon.

Never say die

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http://www.youtube.com/v/7XI3U8eupNQ

Don’t you just love what people post on YouTube?

Your Office365 business model

Chris Knight left a comment on my recent post about why I am positive on Office365. His major points are that firstly, here in Australia, BPOS (and Office365) is sold through our largest Telco (Telstra). They are aggressively going after service business including your clients. No arguments there. Secondly, there is virtually no margin in BPOS for resellers. Again, no argument. This is EXACTLY why I love resellers when it comes to BPOS, they have a restricted business model when it comes to online services.

Here in Australia we know that Telstra is the 600 pound gorilla when it comes to BPOS. So many resellers I see are hell bent on opposing the gorilla. My approach is, they are the only game in town and I have to deal with that. In my books it is better to ride the gorilla than try and fight it. Sure, I might get some bruises and scratches but it is going to be a hell of lot less than if I tried to fight it. Wouldn’t a smarter thing be to team up with Telstra and offer skills and services they lack? Wouldn’t be smarter to leverage their sales teams to do the lead generation for you? Telcos are good at selling phones and are looking for IT people to help them sell technology to customers. If you were a smart operator you’d seek out these relationships to help build your online business. I know I am. The interesting to note here is that there is only a limited amount of these relationships available so those that choose to ride the gorilla are going to reap the benefits I believe.

By far the biggest sticking point for resellers is the lack of margin on BPOS. Couldn’t agree more. Can you change that? Nope. So why focus on it? I believe the major revenue stream with BPOS and ‘cloud computing’ is what it has always been – SERVICES. Customers still need IT Professionals to set up, configure, architect and support technology solutions no matter where they ultimately reside. The only way that your business will make money from selling product is to sell lots and lots of it no matter whether it is infrastructure or online services. I know that is a game I can’t play so that’s why I focus on SERVICES.

For many, including myself, this means a change of business model but in this game if you don’t change you die. The resistance of most traditional resellers to move to some form of cloud strategy is creating a gap in the market that is allowing competitors to enter and potentially steal business. These new competitors probably don’t have the experience, knowledge or professionalism that existing resellers have but guess what? They are still going to win business. Why? Rightly or wrongly customers want ‘cloud’ computing because it is being portrayed as saving them money. No matter whether that is correct it is what the customer perceives that matters.

Let me give you an example of a service opportunity in relation of Office365 I see. From my understanding the small business edition of Office365 will come with 3 web sites, an intranet, an extranet and a public facing website. Guess what? They’ll all be provided on SharePoint 2010. Most customers will probably need these to be configured, customized and managed because they won’t have the time or the knowledge. To me that means SERVICES revenue and I’m sure the same applies across all the other Office365 products.

As I have said before, it warms the cockles of my heart to hear resellers focus on dealing with telcos and how little margin there is in selling online services for I know they still don’t ‘get it’. You can’t expect to go into the world of online services with the same business model (no matter how well it worked previously). You have to change, adapt and overcome. This will mean making hard decisions, that in the short term may be quite painful. However, as a business person I encourage you NOT to take these, keep doing business the way you have been doing things and leave this ‘cloud stuff’ to me.