have you ever consider using Twitter as a notification channel? I know, it sounds crazy, but I can be used in some scenarios (not only for OSD)

Scenario:

You need a notification channel that is easy to access and have a low cost.

Solution:

Basically we create a System Center Orchestrator Runbook that sends a tweet in the end of the task sequence. There is a list of items you need to make this happen. First you need a Twitter account, I suggest you get a dedicated one and that you “protect” it so you can control the followers. Next you need the Social Media integration pack (download from http://smip.codeplex.com/ and install it on your Orchestrator server) and last you need a Runbook that you can execute in the end of the task sequence.

The Connection to Twitter:

Create a twitter account and run the tool that is included in the integration pack to gain access to Twitter

In Orchestrator, configure a connection:

The Runbook:

Create a runbook that has 2 items, initialize data and tweet that uses you connection.

The TaskSequence:

Add your runbook in the end of the tasksequence

The Result:

Enjoy the power of the “cloud” :-)

/mike