Can your employees work when out of the office? If not, would it help if they could? You could save costs on travel, encourage healthier working environments and boost productivity.

Whether you need cloud-based technologies like Office 365, or a multi-purpose operating system like Windows 8, or just web-conferencing facilities through Microsoft Lync, there is an affordable way to deal with your issues

Work wherever you are, whenever you need

Remote working is now a way of life for many employees. And it's increasingly key to the overall efficiency and productivity of the organisation. But there's more to remote working than just a good wireless or mobile phone connection. As well as accessing and responding to email, employees need to be able to view and modify documents on the move and remain connected with colleagues and customers.

The productivity tools that were originally once only available to large organisations are now affordable and accessible for startups and small businesses. Microsoft offers a full range of integrated software, services and devices that deliver seamless collaboration and flexible productivity when your people are working away from the office.

Whether you need cloud-based technologies like Office 365, or a multi-purpose operating system like Windows 8, or just web-conferencing facilities through Microsoft Lync, there is an affordable way to deal with your issues.

Find out more by contacting your Phoenix Account Manager on 0845 265 1265 or email: info@phoenixs.co.uk

Released on 29th January, Microsoft Office 2013 comes with a clean, new look, but the features you know and use are still there along with some new ones that are huge time savers. The new Office also works with smartphones, tablets, and in the cloud, even on PCs that don't have Office installed. So now you can always get to your important files, no matter where you are or what you're using.

Here's what's new in the Office programmes
 
Access 2013 - In a word, apps. An Access web app is a new type of database that you build in Access, then use and share with others as a SharePoint app in a web browser. To build an app, you just select the type of data you want to track (contacts, tasks, projects, and so on). Access creates the database structure, complete with views that let you add and edit data. Navigation and basic commands are built-in, so you can start using your app right away.
 
Excel 2013 - The first thing you’ll see when you open Excel is a brand new look. It's cleaner, but it's also designed to help you get professional-looking results quickly. You'll find many new features that let you get away from walls of numbers and draw more persuasive pictures of your data, guiding you to better, more informed decisions.
 
OneNote 2013 is a digital notebook for capturing, storing, and sharing all kinds of information. The first thing you'll see when you open OneNote 2013 is a fresh, clean look that lets you focus on your thoughts and ideas instead of the interface. Full integration with the cloud means you can free your files from your computer's hard drive so your notes and information are saved and searchable wherever you go - on nearly any mobile device, tablet, or browser.
 
Outlook 2013 - When you open Outlook you'll see a brand new look. It's cleaner, but it's also designed to help you focus on what's important with a clear view of email, calendars, and contacts.

PowerPoint 2013 has a brand-new look: It's cleaner and primed for use on tablets and phones, so you can swipe and tap your way through presentations. Presenter View automatically adapts to your projection set-up, and you can even use it on a single monitor. Themes now come with variations, which make it simpler to hone in on the look you want, and when you're working with others, you can add comments to ask questions and get feedback.
 
Project 2013 - The first thing you'll see when you open Project 2013 is a sharp new look. But don't stop there. Look closer, and you'll see that Project 2013 can help you:

• Show off project data with a whole new set of customisable reports
• Talk to your team without leaving Project by using built-in Lync features
• Trace task paths to untangle a messy Gantt Chart

Publisher 2013 offers new ways to work with your pictures, so you can move them around, swap them, and add visual pop to your publications with new picture and text effects.
 
Visio 2013 has updated the diagram templates so they're better looking and easier to use. New styles, themes and other handy tools will help you cut the time you spend drawing. You'll also find more ways to work together on Visio diagrams, along with new commenting features, that enable real-time co-authoring on diagrams.
 
Word 2013 lets you do more with your docs: Pop in an online video, open a PDF and edit the content, align pictures and diagrams with minimal fuss. The new Read Mode is clean and distraction-free and it works great on tablets. Teaming-up is better too, with direct connections to your online spaces and streamlined review features like Simple Markup and comments.

For more information on Microsoft Office 2013 contact your Phoenix Account Manager on 0845 265 1265 or email: info@phoenixs.co.uk

Phoenix Software is delighted to announce that its Microsoft Customer Immersion Experience is now live and ready to welcome customers.

The Microsoft Customer Immersion Experience (CIE) is an in-person, hands-on introduction to Windows 8 and the new Office that gives you the opportunity to experience these powerful new productivity solutions for yourself.

A CIE is not a generic demo about all the features Microsoft products offer. It's a true-to-life user experience that takes you through common work-related scenarios such as being productive while mobile, using social networking to get work done, and connecting in real time with colleagues and customers. It also gives you a first-hand look at the fast and fluid experience of Windows 8 and the exciting features of the new Office across a variety of devices, including tablets, PCs and smartphones.

Participating in a CIE is the best way to learn about business productivity tools and technologies without sales pressure. Sessions are led by a trained facilitator and are designed to be interactive, experiential and fun.

To find out more about the Phoenix CIE, contact Russell Payne on 0845 265 1231 or email russell-payne@phoenixs.co.uk

So what can you expect?

• As part of RC Microsoft have made numerous improvements to Visual Studio, including performance improvements across the board, updates to the UI based on customer feedback, and enhancements to existing features
• They've also streamlined the set-up for RC so you can start using Visual Studio 2012 more easily. RC will install over your like-edition of Visual Studio 11, so you don't even need to uninstall the beta first

 
Click here to install and try Visual Studio 2012 RC today

Gordon Frazer, Managing Director of Microsoft UK, recognised Phoenix Software's level of expertise with Microsoft cloud services, having successfully deployed over 500 seats of Office 365 and Windows Intune solutions, and recommended Phoenix as a Specialist Microsoft Cloud Services Accelerate partner organisation.

Josh Waldo, senior director in the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft stated:

"We are excited about Phoenix Software Ltd joining the Microsoft Cloud Accelerate program which provides top cloud partners with technical and business support to build and sell cloud solutions based on Microsoft technologies, offering incredible value to customers.  The partners in this program are doing amazing things and are looking to differentiate their business and better serve customers with Microsoft cloud solutions".

Phoenix Software is delighted to confirm that it can offer NHS organisations significant savings on Microsoft licences.  This special discount - only available in December - is equivalent to one free licence for every five purchased.

"Following on from the fact that the Department of Health did not renew the Enterprise-wide Agreement it had with Microsoft last year, and the fact Phoenix were selected as one of the three Large Account Resellers to have supplied those licences and Software Asset Management services, we feel the time is now right for Trusts to address their shortfall with this highly discounted offer," said Sam Mudd, Director at Phoenix Software Ltd.

"Our NHS team of licensing specialists is on standby to offer advice and guidance on all of the actions required to transact and purchase the licences in the timeframe allowed. It is vital that all Trusts go to market and asses the best price they can obtain - Phoenix is looking to lead the way in offering the very best value here."

The offer window is quite narrow, so it is extremely important that NHS organisations place their orders as soon as possible, if they want to take advantage of the full discount available.

To avoid 'Select Level A' rates 58% higher than December pricing, all NHS organisations must buy the correct licences to cover their usage by March 2012. This latest Cabinet Office agreement with Microsoft lifts its June 2011 restriction on placing orders - NHS organisations no longer need to seek approval from Cabinet Office or NHS Connecting for Health before taking advantage of the December discount.

DON'T DELAY, ACT TODAY
You have until 23 December 2011 to take advantage of Microsoft's December discount - contact your Phoenix Account Manager today on 0845 265 1265, email nhs@phoenixs.co.uk or visit www.phoenixs.co.uk/ms-nhs

Phoenix Software is delighted to confirm that it can offer NHS organisations significant savings on Microsoft licences.  This special discount - only available in December - is equivalent to one free licence for every five purchased.

"Following on from the fact that the Department of Health did not renew the Enterprise-wide Agreement it had with Microsoft last year, and the fact Phoenix were selected as one of the three Large Account Resellers to have supplied those licences and Software Asset Management services, we feel the time is now right for Trusts to address their shortfall with this highly discounted offer," said Sam Mudd, Director at Phoenix Software Ltd.

"Our NHS team of licensing specialists is on standby to offer advice and guidance on all of the actions required to transact and purchase the licences in the timeframe allowed. It is vital that all Trusts go to market and asses the best price they can obtain - Phoenix is looking to lead the way in offering the very best value here."

The offer window is quite narrow, so it is extremely important that NHS organisations place their orders as soon as possible, if they want to take advantage of the full discount available.

To avoid 'Select Level A' rates 58% higher than December pricing, all NHS organisations must buy the correct licences to cover their usage by March 2012. This latest Cabinet Office agreement with Microsoft lifts its June 2011 restriction on placing orders - NHS organisations no longer need to seek approval from Cabinet Office or NHS Connecting for Health before taking advantage of the December discount.

DON'T DELAY, ACT TODAY
You have until 23 December 2011 to take advantage of Microsoft's December discount - contact your Phoenix Account Manager today on 0845 265 1265, email nhs@phoenixs.co.uk  or visit www.phoenixs.co.uk/ms-nhs

Phoenix Software is delighted to confirm that it can offer NHS organisations significant savings on Microsoft licences.  This special discount - only available in December - is equivalent to one free licence for every five purchased.

"Following on from the fact that the Department of Health did not renew the Enterprise-wide Agreement it had with Microsoft last year, and the fact Phoenix were selected as one of the three Large Account Resellers to have supplied those licences and Software Asset Management services, we feel the time is now right for Trusts to address their shortfall with this highly discounted offer," said Sam Mudd, Director at Phoenix Software Ltd.

"Our NHS team of licensing specialists is on standby to offer advice and guidance on all of the actions required to transact and purchase the licences in the timeframe allowed. It is vital that all Trusts go to market and asses the best price they can obtain - Phoenix is looking to lead the way in offering the very best value here."

The offer window is quite narrow, so it is extremely important that NHS organisations place their orders as soon as possible, if they want to take advantage of the full discount available.

To avoid 'Select Level A' rates 58% higher than December pricing, all NHS organisations must buy the correct licences to cover their usage by March 2012. This latest Cabinet Office agreement with Microsoft lifts its June 2011 restriction on placing orders - NHS organisations no longer need to seek approval from Cabinet Office or NHS Connecting for Health before taking advantage of the December discount.

DON'T DELAY, ACT TODAY
You have until 23 December 2011 to take advantage of Microsoft's December discount - contact your Phoenix Account Manager today on 0845 265 1265, email nhs@phoenixs.co.uk or visit www.phoenixs.co.uk/ms-nhs

Phoenix is proud to announce this latest accolade - one of only an elite few Microsoft Partners in the UK to have recently obtained this status.

Phoenix is already one of Microsoft's leading software resellers in the UK and holds many other Microsoft accreditations including Gold Competencies in Software Asset Management and Volume Licensing.

Phoenix are already Online Services Partners offering hosted services which make it easy for customers to leverage and rapidly deploy familiar Microsoft server products. The Online Services suite includes

• Microsoft Office 365 - bringing together cloud versions of Microsoft's most trusted communications and collaboration products with the latest version of their desktop suite for organisations of all sizes; comprising Office Professional Plus, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync Online. 
• Windows Intune which simplifies and helps businesses manage and secure PCs using Windows cloud services and Windows 7
• Windows Azure - helping developers build, host and scale applications through Microsoft data centres
• Dynamics CRM - a multi-lingual Customer Relationship Management software package

As a Microsoft Cloud Accelerate partner, Phoenix will demonstrate a high level of commitment to matching customers' needs for cloud solutions.

FIND OUT MORE
For further information and pricing, contact Russell Payne, Cloud Sales Specialist on 0845 265 1231 or email Russell-payne@phoenixs.co.uk

After attending a recent Webex hosted by Microsoft, I am able to pass on the following information relating to the next release of SQL.

SQL 2012 official release date is 'first half of 2012' and with it come some major changes to the licensing.

Datacentre Edition is being retired, the three versions will be Standard, BI and Enterprise. For unlimited virtualisation rights - as previously available with Datacentre Edition, customers will have to purchase Software Assurance with the Enterprise Edition.

Server and CAL licensing model is the only option for BI, Standard is available as Server & CAL and Core, and the only licensing model for Enterprise will be 'Core'. This is replacing the previous options of Server & CAL, or Processor.