-- Transform the user computing infrastructure with a streamlined, lower-
cost messaging environment that increases IT manageability and improves
user satisfaction through improved mobility, reliability and ease of use.
Integrating with unified messaging products and technologies like Microsoft
Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
helps further transform the user computing environment.
-- Drive greater IT operating efficiency through managed virtualization,
to reduce costs, maximize system availability and increase operational
agility.
-- Enable staff to communicate more effectively, to make well-informed
decisions quickly and reduce time to market.
"An integral part of the Avanade business model is developing an extensive
knowledge of solutions and products that we recommend to customers by first
using them internally," said Scott Rodgers, Senior Vice President and Chief
Architect for Infrastructure Services for Avanade Americas. "During the
pilot stages and our pre-release Microsoft Technology Adoption Program
(TAP) work with Exchange Server 2010, the biggest challenge we saw first is
simply making the migration, which is typically complex because our
customers have thousands of mailboxes in use. Customers are concerned about
disruptions to their communications while a system upgrade is taking
place."
To address the challenge, Avanade uses its Messaging Migration Engine, a
set of technical and project delivery tools to help organizations analyze
the impact of upgrading their messaging systems. With this information,
Avanade Exchange Server experts can recommend upgrade steps that include
task automation to help reduce or eliminate disruption to employee
productivity.
Avanade customers also want flexibility in accessing rich communications
tools whether employees are in corporate headquarters or are mobile. While
the Avanade internal deployment of Exchange is not virtualized, Microsoft
Corp.'s new Database Availability Group (DAG) wizard provides increased
availability options. "We put a lot of value on this," says Jeff Cagle,
service manager for IT communications at Avanade. "More than 80 percent of
our staff is usually in the field, and they need both reliable systems and
communications tools that will help them perform their work regardless of
location. The same needs are increasingly a part of the top requests we get
from our customers."
By working early on pre-release versions of Exchange Server 2010 and using
the software internally before launch, Avanade is able to quickly assist
its enterprise customers in planning efficient upgrades, integrating
different applications to streamline internal communications and providing
solutions for increased availability and flexibility.
"With the economic crisis, corporations are taking a close look at cutting
costs. Yet organizations also need the ability to transform ideas into
value to maintain their competitive advantage," Rodgers said. "Exchange
Server 2010 is a mission-critical application for large enterprises to be
able to harness ideas and collaborate internally to drive business value."
"Microsoft is delighted Avanade could be part of the Exchange 2010
Technology Adoption Program and we are confident their early experience
with Exchange 2010 will help provide their customers with a smooth and
efficient upgrade," said Betsy Frost, general manager, UC Marketing at
Microsoft Corp. "We are delighted to have Avanade in our community of
partners ready to help customers take advantage of the innovations in
Exchange 2010."
For more details on Avanade's internal deployment of Microsoft Exchange
Server 2010, please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=4000005763.
About Avanade
Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight,
innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers
realize results. Avanade's services and solutions help improve performance,
productivity and sales for organizations in all industries. The company
applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing
on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together
are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less
risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by
Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20
countries worldwide with 8,700 professionals. Additional information can be
found at www.avanade.com.
Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are
the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade: Charlie Zaragoza (206) 239-5893 Agency Contact: Jessica Kendall (206) 268-2231