Finally here, MAPS 4.0 is RTM and ready to be downloaded and used. I have been using it for a while in both real and in test environment and I’m rather pleased, the only thing that annoys me is that very few customers and partners seems to understand the benefit of this very handsome pieces of software. Basically every time I have a class or a session I ask if there is anyone that use MAPS and most of the time I see one or two hands, the rest is looking around in the room like “Have I missed something here” and Yes you have.

• “Mike’s rule number one”
  • Whenever you feel to upgrade, migrate, deploy, virtualizes anything in an Microsoft based infrastructure you start with MAPS.

Now, get MAPS and open up your or your customers environment so that you can see what you have to deal with, knowing the fact are far better then guessing IMHO

Its on TechNet and the URL are 115 characters long, but here is an shorter one http://tinyurl.com/maps4

Stuff that are inside:

Version 4.0 of the MAP Toolkit has the following new features:

• Windows 7 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• Virtualization Candidates Assessment for Hyper-V R2 Server Consolidation
• Integration with the Microsoft Integrated Virtualization ROI Calculator
• Inventory of VMware Server Hosts and Guests
• User Interface and Proposal Customization for Partner co-branding
• Enhanced SQL Instance Discovery
• Enhanced Usability and Improved Inventory Performance

Additional Features

• Virtualization Candidates Assessment for Hyper-V Server Consolidation
• Windows Vista Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• Windows Server 2008 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• 2007 Microsoft Office Readiness Assessment
• SQL Server Instance Discovery
• Desktop Security Assessment for Anti-virus and Anti-malware Programs Installation
• Forefront Client Security/NAP Readiness Assessment
• App-V Infrastructure Readiness Assessment
• Power Savings “Green IT” Proposal

More info:

• Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0
• Learn more about the MAP Toolkit on TechNet
• Learn more about the MAP Toolkit on Microsoft Partner Network site
• Provide us feedback, please e-mail us at MAPFDBK@microsoft.com
• Get the latest news from the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Team Blog

/mike