James O’Neill, IT Professional Evangelist at Microsoft, published on his corporate blog opening of Technology Adoption Program (TAP) for Windows Server Virtualization (codename Viridian):
On Friday the Windows Server virtualization (WSv) team opened nominations for the Technology Adoption Programme (TAP) for Windows Server virtualization aka Viridian. The nomination process closes on May 16th.
I should explain that a TAP is designed to be an opportunity for collaboration between customers and Microsoft to validate a new product. This is achieved through product feedback as a result of deployment of pre-release builds in non-production and production environments. Customers have an opportunity to validate the design and direction of the technology, through discovery of bugs and by submitting Design Change Requests (DCR’s) for the product development team to consider.
The WSv TAP is distinct from any other Microsoft TAP – although it has links with the longhorn server TAP. The WSv TAP is not a marketing or relationship programme: it is strictly an engineering validation programme focused on scenario testing and bug discovery/submission. There are a limited number of places and it is expected to be over-subscribed – nomination does not guarantee acceptance. Participants will be selected to get the mix of characteristics (planned deployments, LHS experience, location, technology, scenario coverage, etc.) needed by the product team.
Participating in any TAP requires a significant level of commitment. The nomination questionnaire, will ask for likely deployment scenarios. If accepted, it is expected that the customer commit to these deployment scenarios. In addition, Microsoft asks that participants test, deploy, and provide timely product feedback for each of the major milestone releases; TAP Participants get 24×7 production support for these releases. Other builds may be be provided for non-production use only and support will not be provided.
To adhere this TAP program contact James O’Neil directly.