IT-Sponsored Programs for Field and Customers

Two new programs aim to improve transfer of expertise from the Microsoft IT organization to Microsoft consultants, Consumer Support Services (CSS) employees, and customers. These programs could help customers and partners solve operational problems in Windows-based environments and also showcase the cost and operational benefits Microsoft IT has realized through adoption of newer Microsoft technologies, such as Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003.

The IT Fellowship program is a recently formed training program for Microsoft consultants and product support personnel. Trainees run through a two- to three-week course that includes classroom coursework led by IT employees and hands-on training in IT data centers. The program currently offers training on running Windows and Exchange in a large-scale IT environment, but Microsoft IT plans to extend the program to include other operational practices, such as managing application and network security, and Microsoft technologies, such as Windows SharePoint Services and SQL Server.