Microsoft in Government: USDA migrates to Microsoft cloud

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December 8, 2010 USDA is first Cabinet-level agency to migrate to Microsoft cloud The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture announced today it is migrating 120,000 users spread across 21 e-mail systems onto Microsoft Online Services, the culmination of CIO Chris Smith's effort to streamline agency messaging and collaboration efforts, reduce costs and improve efficiencies. The move builds on existing infrastructure and allows USDA to extend its on-premises software investments to internet-based solutions. News and highlights   U.S. Air Force base upgrading to Microsoft Windows 7 The U.S. Air Force is about to embark on the fastest operating system upgrade in its history as it migrates its PCs at Peterson Air Force Base from Windows Vista to Windows 7. – Information Week   Surveys see developing use of gov 2.0 tools in state and local government Gov 2.0 and social media tools are seeing growing use across the federal government, but two surveys try to understand how these new technologies are faring at the state and local levels. – CivSource   Feds announce IT management overhaul The federal government plans to slash the number of data centers it operates by 40% by 2015, and the Obama administration will push for legislative changes to consolidate more IT budget and management authority in the hands of agency CIOs. – Information Week   What's needed for real progress on U.S. cybersecurity? A candid Q&A from Oh My Gov! with DoD and industry leaders, including Jerry Cochran, cybersecurity architect with Microsoft Public Sector Services' National Security Group.   Microsoft white paper outlines cloud security infrastructure Microsoft has released a new white paper that explains the organizational and standards-based underpinnings of its cloud security efforts.  – Redmond Magazine   New white paper: The Economics of the Cloud in the US Public Sector This paper examines the economics of the cloud by using in-depth modeling, and then uses this framework to assess the long-term IT landscape. (PDF, 1.7 MB)   For developers   Enter the Windows Phone 7 federal application contest by Dec. 15!  Enter your federal or Department of Defense Windows Phone 7 application for a chance to win an Xbox 360 Slim + Kinect combo pack!   Microsoft delivers Visual Studio 2010 Feature Pack 2 Microsoft has released Visual Studio 2010 Feature Pack 2, which provides new testing functionality to the platform for applications built with Silverlight technology. – eWeek   Download Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 7 Microsoft has released the latest preview of Internet Explorer 9, featuring dramatic performance gains in its Chakra JavaScript engine. Since first demonstrated at PDC in 2009, Chakra in Internet Explorer has increased JavaScript performance by 345 percent, according to WebKit SunSpider.   Technology update   Microsoft announces Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Microsoft has scheduled the release of Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials for the first half of 2011. – Government Computer News   Spend less time doing more with Windows Phone 7 Windows Phone 7 is the only phone available today with an integrated Office Hub that brings together notes and documents in one place.   New security resources for Office 2010, Windows 7, and Internet Explorer 8 The Microsoft Security Compliance Manager enables you to access and automate all of your organization's security baselines in one centralized location.   Download Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 trial Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 simplifies and improves endpoint protection while greatly reducing infrastructure costs.   Download the Microsoft Lync Server 2010 trial See how Lync delivers a connected experience that transforms communication into more collaborative, engaging, and accessible interaction from virtually anywhere users may be.   Customer offers   Microsoft Big Easy v5.0 offer is back for a limited time The Big Easy Offer 5.0 allows customers who make a qualifying purchase to earn a partner subsidy that can be applied towards subsequent purchases of software solutions, hardware or services. Act now—offer is available through December 31, 2010.   Kick-start your implementation of VDI today Eligible customers will receive a 70% discount off the estimated retail price on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription license and a 50% discount on Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license from their reseller of choice.  Offer available through December 31, 2010.   Do you qualifiy for a complimentary Microsoft Dynamics CRM Solution Assessment? Until March 31, 2011, 20 U.S. Federal Government customers who consider purchasing 500 or more licenses of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions may be eligible to receive a complimentary Microsoft CRM Solution Assessment. In this issue: » News and highlights » For developers » Technology update » Customer offers   Meeting the needs of today's government workforce through desktop optimization Jan. 18, 1:00pm ET   Driving effective grants management & tracking Feb. 9, 1:00pm ET For developers  Overview of Visual Studio 2010 Dec. 9, 10:00am ET   Feature demonstration of Visual Studio Dec. 16, 2:00pm ET   Testing Webcast Series Dec. 15: Manual & automated testing Dec. 22: Load & performance testing Dec. 29: Lab management & test lab virtualization Jan. 5: Dashboard and reporting Jan. 12: Lowering your cost of ownership   Federal State and Local Federal State and Local Federal State and Local Not yet a subscriber? Sign up!  Questions? E-mail us.   Microsoft respects your privacy. 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