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?

In case you haven’t seen it yet – we have had a Case Study published on the Microsoft Case Studies website, highlighting how our use of Microsoft Best Practices for SharePoint 2010 greatly improved the collaboration experience for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services.  Initially carrying out a Health Check to improve the implementation of SharePoint 2007, Black Marble returned to assist in the migration to SharePoint 2010.

“Around 60 per cent of the brigade’s 1,900 staff are now using it through My Site portals in SharePoint Server 2010. They provide users in the organisation with a rich set of social networking and collaboration features.” 
– Katy Pinder,  ICT Project Manager, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

If you are interested in migrating your SharePoint 2003 or 2007 to SharePoint 2010, why not get in touch with Black Marble?  You can reach us on +44 1274 300175.  You can also come along to our SharePoint Migration event on 24 March – attendance is free.

We are delighted by the response to our Annual Technical Update for Microsoft Technologies this year.  The event is perfect as an introduction to Black Marble events, as well as providing a Roadmap for all-things Microsoft.  Ideal for planning your business’ IT needs for the next twelve months.

Having raised your interest, the bad news is that the event is actually full-up and we are running a waiting list, but the good news is we are running an overflow event in early February.  The demand for that session is also picking up so please get in touch soon if you want to secure a place! Email events@blackmarble.co.uk for more information.

Our afternoon event brings our ALM MVP and Ranger, Richard Fennell to the fore with DevExpress’ Gary Short – they will be exploring Agile Development with Cool Tools.  There are still some places available for this session.

Those of you already registered to attend – look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

We are delighted at Black Marble to announce a great series of events to brighten your days through the darkness of Autumn and Winter.

Kicking off in September with the first of four Visual Studio events exploring the different products available – from Express to Ultimate – to help you determine which is best for you and your business.

21 September – Black Marble / 12 October – Microsoft London 
16 November – Black Marble / 14 December – Microsoft London.

Middle of October we are running our Mix in the North event – focusing on the highlights of MIX, the conference for web developers and UX designers working the Microsoft platform.  Joining us are Microsoft’s Michael McClary (@michaelmcclary), Will Coleman (@will_coleman) and Mike Taulty (@mtaulty).  As well as some great demos of Windows Phone 7, we will have a Microsoft Surface available for you to try.

During the evening, we will be welcoming companies who have signed up to (or want to sign up to) WebsiteSpark and BizSpark.

November starts with a day full of SharePoint greatness – the morning explores the key features we use having worked with SharePoint 2010 for over a year, and during the afternoon we are focusing on using SharePoint for Content Management.

December see a return of the Architecture Forum in the North – this year’s title is “Tools and Methods for Architects” and we are once again joined by Matt Deacon, Simon Thurman, Simon Davies, Giles Davies and Mark Richardson from Microsoft.

And top it all off, following the success of our Open Day we are opening our doors once more in December – join us for drinks, mince pies and plenty of Christmas cheer!

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!

… at the SharePoint Conference 2009. 

Black Marble can bring you the latest news on SharePoint 2010 … want to know what SharePoint Foundation Server is? We can tell you … what did Microsoft announce that will effect your business … come along and find out!  Register for our preview of SharePoint 2010 and find out why there is a such a buzz around SharePoint 2010.

Plus don’t forget to register here for our preview of Office 2010 and here for Richard Costall’s SilverLight 3 presentation.

Find out what Black Marble is up to on Twitter.

The second day of Black Marble events is an exploration of the forthcoming Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010.  Black Marble’s presenters will be fresh from the SharePoint Conference in Las Vegas, bringing you what’s new and exciting.  With everyone keeping tightlipped about the features of these new releases, be among the first in the UK to hear what’s coming … from our speakers’ own hands-on experience.

Plus, the evening session sees the return of Richard Costall presenting on SilverLight 3.  Always entertaining and educational!