Do you enjoy our Black Marble events, but can’t always make it in person?  Busy day at the office, mean you can’t attend a full or even a half day event?  From 30 January 2012, we are introducing a series of online seminars – running most Mondays though to the end of June, we are covering a range of topics in bite-size sessions.  Follow the links for more information and to register – or call on 01274 300175 for more details.

30 Jan – Search Architecture

06 Feb – What is new in Azure?

20 Feb – Why Migrate from Visual SourceSafe to Visual Studio Team Foundation Server

12 Mar – Content Management with Avviso and SharePoint 2010

19 Mar – Visual Studio Team Foundation Server for Everyone

26 Mar – An Introduction to SQL 2012

16 Apr – Introduction to Azure

23 Apr – An Introduction to Lab Management

30 Apr – Microsoft Surface – It is not just Touch

14 May – Designing for SharePoint

21 May – How to Kickstart your ALM Process

28 May – Designing Applications for the Windows Phone

11 Jun – Creating Data Aware Visio Diagrams in SharePoint 2010

18 Jun – What is New in Azure?

Our Annual Tech Update went well – a good turnout, asking intelligent questions over a great lunch and soaking up our view of the Microsoft Roadmap for 2009, 2010 and beyond. 

Feedback was positive as ever, with comments that it exceeded expectations which were already high!  Rik Hepworth has blogged on the key Microsoft technologies to look out for.    

Guest Starring in today’s event was Microsoft’s Virtualisation Specialist, Matt McSpirit, aka Virtual Boy pictured here on the right with Black Marble’s Rik Hepworth.

Welcome to 2010 … and more great events from Black Marble!  The 27th January kicks off with our Annual Tech Update – a complete roadmap of all things Microsoft.  We will shine a light on the big releases of 2009, the highlights of Office and Visual Studio 2010, as well as the releases you might have missed.

The afternoon tackles Azure for the IT Manager and Decision Maker – what is the business value of Microsoft’s cloud offering? Is it the way forward for your business? Black Marble will be joined by Microsoft’s Simon Davies to explore how your business can benefit, and how the model will work for you.

The evening brings Social Media Expert Eileen Brown on board to discuss Using Digital Marketing and Social Media to Build and Maintain your Online Brand.

Come along and join us for our first event of the year … it’s FREE and the food is always great!

Black Marble hosted the Second Architecture Forum in the North, and was delighted to welcome back Matt Deacon, Simon Thurman and Simon Davies from Microsoft.  this time they were joined by Mark Richardson and Giles Davies from the Developer Tools team.

The theme of this year’s Forum was the Professional Developer’s Conference (PDC) that took place just two weeks before in Los Angeles.  Matt Deacon, Chief Architectural Advisor from Microsoft opened with the State of Nation.  Simon Davies was next up, exploring Azure – Past, Present and Future.  Simon was then joined by Black Marble’s Robert Hogg to discuss AppFabric.  Finally before lunch, Simon Thurman MC’d the Web Session introducing Black Marble’s Leon Nightingale (SilverLight 4), Barry Wimlett (MVC) and Rik Hepworth (SharePoint 2010).

Lunch was a lively affair with round table discussions taking place over Turkey and Stuffing sandwiches and mince pies!

After lunch saw Simon Davies return to the stage to discuss Data Services, followed by the Visual Studio 2010 team with Mark Richardson, Giles Davies and Black Marble’s Richard Fennell.  The day was wrapped by  Robert Hogg’s presentation on SQL Server Modelling (formerly known as Oslo).

And another lucky attendee walked away with an XBox!

The Developer & Platform Group at Microsoft are bringing their cloud based Azure Services Platform Roadshow to Black Marble’s HQ here in Bradford.  Same great food you get at all our events … as well as great content!  Takes place on 13 February (9:30 registration for 10:00 start), here at BIC, Angel Way, Bradford, BD7 1BX.

To register …. http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=EE-AA-39-11-6B-DF-F0-2D-78-12-81-55-03-49-6A-33&Culture=en-GB Invitation code: 5A219E

The briefings will consist of technical discussion, demos and interactive discussion and will focus on what Azure is and how it can be used as a platform for cloud-based development.  There will be time after the event for more detailed ‘one to one’ discussions on any topics related to this session.

Black Marble’s Annual Technical Update returns on the 21st January at 2pm … and we’re ready to reveal what little gems you may have missed in 2008, and what you can expect in 2009 and beyond.  If you’ve never been to a Black Marble event before, this is a great introduction, it covers the products you know, and those you didn’t know were there.  Looks like a great turnout this year. so come early, and join us for a fabulous lunch! 

And don’t forget, from 6pm Ed Gibson, Chief Security Advisor to Microsoft UK is returning to speak his mind – his third visit to Black Marble, and always a popular event.

Black Marble hosted the first Architecture Forum in the North today and despite the treacherous weather conditions, there was a great and enthusiastic turnout.

The day opened with Matt Deacon, Chief Architectural Advisor from Microsoft espousing on Sustainable IT, followed up by Simon Thurman, a Microsoft Architecture Evangelist on Patterns and Practices.  A round table arrangement for lunch kept the conversation going, all over fabulous turkey sandwiches and freshly made mince pies … one thing you can say about a Black Marble event, you always get fed well!  The afternoon kicked off with Senior Architectural Engineer from Microsoft, Simon Davies explaining Azure, and the final session of the day saw Black Marble MD and Architecture MVP Robert Hogg discussing Oslo and Microsoft’s vision for the future of Modelling.

Everyone had a really great time … especially the lucky attendee who went home with a free X-Box courtesy of Black Marble!