Wrapping up the episodes from Microsoft TechEd IT Forum in Barcelona, James and I talk about the discussions and announcements at the event. First, James comments on the seeming maturity that both the attendees and Microsoft itself has after all these years of TechEd. Then we get ask if virtualization will avoid the usual zero-sum battle that every other technology goes through – the answer is probably obvious. Moving onto the broader industry, we comment on the long relationship between IBM and Microsoft, feeling now that IBM is in a pulling back phase. Finally, we wrap-up with some PowerShell talk and comment on the role of open source – or lack thereof – in all of this.

Finishing up the interview series at Microsoft TechEd IT Forum in Barcelona, I talk with Eric Berg (Director of Product Management, System Center) about the System Center product lines. While we focus on only Operations Manager, Configuration Manager, and Virtual Machine Manager, we go into detail on each. We start out going over the linage of the System Center brand: mapping MOM to System Center Operations Manager and SMS to System Center Configuration Manager. Then Eric describes what function both Operations Manager and Configuration Manager serve, spending time detailing the inventory and asset management that Configuration Manager does, highlighting the AssetMetrix integration. We then talk about what System Center offers for virtualization management and discuss everyone’s favorite virtualization topic, live migration of VMs. We end by talking about how Microsoft uses partners and the greater System Center ecosystem to address questions about heterogeneity, and then end on discussing what role developers play in Microsoft’s general “philosophy of IT management.”

Outside the main conference center for Microsoft TechEd IT Forum in Barcelona, James talks with Carl Coken (Director of Strategic Alliances, System Center) about partnerships and standards in System Center land. Carl manages the relationships with third parties, organizations, and others that work with the System Center platform, for example, by providing management packs. James and Carl talk about the new portal available for partners and then jump into the role of the portal’s information in the sales process. The discussion than goes to the question of heterogeneity which, as Carl notes, it a big part of what Microsoft looks to partners to help with and provide in System Center. Finally, they discuss how the partners program help encourage quality and best practices in the third party extensions and management packs.

While at the IBM Software Group Connection Summit 2007, James Governor talks with Carol Jones about applying IBM collaborative research to products. They start by discussing exactly what "Web 2.0" means and then talk about the transition of research to shipping product, using IBM's dogear as an example.

While at the IBM Software Group Connection Summit 2007, James Governor talks with Martin Nally, CTO of Rational, and Dave Tropeano, who works in the office of the CTO.

In this, third, part they discuss the effect that RESTful thinking has had on the rational toolchain.

Disclaimer: IBM is a client.