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Three day online event: 2nd, 3rd & 4th June
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Live stream from Microsoft’s UK Campus: get trained online in Microsoft’s open cloud solution
Welcome to a special edition of Tech Days Online, your series of digital events offering the chance to learn about the latest Microsoft technology for free, from anywhere. On 2nd, 3rd and 4th June we are offering a unique opportunity to learn more about Microsoft Azure, our industry-leading open, flexible and hybrid-ready cloud solution used by startups and big businesses throughout the UK. By joining the live feed from the Microsoft UK Campus on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th you will get:
- Community keynote sessions with respected industry figures showcasing what others are doing with Microsoft Azure
- Over 15 deep technical sessions spanning Azure 101, Apps & Architecture, Data & Machine Learning and Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps delivered by Microsoft UK experts and Gold Learning Partner QA Training to help you get started with what interests you
- The opportunity to ask your questions to all of our experts though live Q&A
- A live mystery Microsoft Azure challenge and a competition to win a drone
- Information on the offers available to you and how to take a free trial of Microsoft Azure
We hope you’ll join us!
Win a drone
Join us live for the chance to win one of three Parrot AR 2.0 Elite quadcopters with HD 720p Cameras.*
*Terms and conditions to apply and be confirmed during event.
Keynote with Scott Hanselman
Join Scott Hanselman, Acclaimed Developer, Microsoft, for the Azure community keynote and live Q&A.
Top 5 reasons to attend
Live Azure Community Sessions
Over 15 technical deep dives
Mystery Live Azure Challenge
Q&A with experts including Scott Hanselman
Azure training offers and Competitions
Your speakers
Scott HanselmanAcclaimed Developer, Microsoft
Daniel BakerMicrosoft Technical Trainer, QA Training
Andrew FryerTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Ed BakerTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Bianca FurtunaTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Martin BeebyTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Mike OrmondTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Paul FosterTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Steve PlankTechnical Evangelist, Microsoft
Isaac HowieCEO
Jakob ZeitlerStudent at University of Exeter
Martin kearnTechnical evangelist for Microsoft
Michael boonStudents
Paul WatsonProfessor at Newcastle University
Peter ProudManaging Director
Richard AtkinsonCIO
Agenda
Day 1Day 2Day 3
Day One Agenda: Keynotes, IOT, Hybrid and Open Source
Day One is all about special speakers from the Azure community, kicking off the mystery Azure challenge and deep technical sessions on the hottest Azure topics including Internet of Things, Open Source integration and Hybrid Services.
Please note, we are adding new speakers all the time and the below is subject to change without notice.
Time
Title
Speaker
09:00 - 09:15
Introduction to the event
Abstract
An overview of the sessions for Day 1 of Tech.Days Online 2015 and how to make the most of your participation using the online chat tool to interact with our experts and where to find more information on the topics of particular interest to you.
Bio
Ed is a Technical Evangelist at Microsoft UK, specialising in Infrastructure. His role is to engage with the technical community on anything Microsoft.
09:15 - 10:15
Connecting It All Together: Devices. Data. Cloud.
Scott Hanselman
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Scott Hanselman will provide a perspective on the new opportunities to push the boundaries of development with the cloud. Understand key considerations for connecting your devices, IT systems and data using the latest features of Azure.
Bio
10:20 - 10:35
Enterprise Story
Peter Proud, Managing Director
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Customer Engagement. Hogarth
Bio
20141020 Peter joined Hogarth as Managing Director of Cortex in June 2013. During his time at Accenture, Peter was the partner globally responsible for the software business of the Digital Marketing Platform Group in Accenture Interactive.His responsibilities included product development, sales, marketing, support, off-shore service delivery and alliances, with a reporting line direct into a main Board member of Accenture who was a direct report to the CEO.
While under the leadership of Peter, the software group tripled its revenues in a very competitive marketing place providing marketing-based development, analytical, and operational tools to some of the worlds largest financial services, CPG, telecommunications, and automotive clients.
Prior to Accenture, Peter spent 14 years at Microsoft where he was very successful in several roles, winning several gold star awards for the delivery of excellent work.
His roles included several regional sales roles, followed by two spells as a Global Business Manager. Responsibilities included sales, services, client satisfaction, and global software deployment for two of Microsofts largest accounts. In both of these global sales roles all performance objectives were successfully achieved, and Peter rose to director level.
In his last role at Microsoft, Peter was responsible for the One Microsoft initiative with a remit for tying together all the assets of Microsoft to deliver an end to end story. He came up with a digital marketing solution that was successfully sold to several clients with the result of Peter being headhunted by Accenture to deliver the solutions.
Specialties:Digital Marketing Platforms, personalisation and optimisation of campaigns, building global sales forces, building offshore delivery centres, connecting global brands to consumers/customers.
10:35 - 10:50
Enterprise Story
Richard Atkinson, CIO
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Giving. Just Giving - JustGiving is on a journey from being a UK digital success story to a Global social success story. For fifteen years, JustGiving has enabled people who fundraise for charity to seek sponsorship from their friends. JustGiving is now opening a new era in fundraising by making giving social and allowing everyone to show they care for good causes. On this journey, JustGiving has overhauled its technology stack to meet new demands on its service. Richard Atkinson describes the role Microsoft Azure has played in that transformation.
Bio
Richard was responsible for building the award winning JustGiving service 15 years ago. After a foray into healthcare which concluded with an AIM-listing and the turnaround and sale of a hospitality business, Richard returned to JustGiving 3 years ago to transform its technology capability and drive the next era of growth. Since then JustGiving has established itself as the world’s largest fundraising platform, raising over half a billion US dollars in 2014 alone, and helping 23 million people in 164 countries raise over three billion US dollars for good causes since its inception.
10:55 - 11:10
Student / Start-up Story
Jakob Zeitler, student at University of Exeter
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Social Connections. Siymb. Innovation with personal devices and data.
Bio
Having started programming at the age of 8, Jakob has played with a lot of different technologies for more than 10 years now. Currently, he holds the technical role at Siymb and works on the cloud implementation of our platform. He studies Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Exeter and plans to do a Masters in Computer Science afterwards.
11:10 - 11:25
Start-up Story
Isaac Howie-Brewerton, CEO
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Gaming: Pixel Blimp. Creating new experiences for gamers across platforms.
Bio
Graduate of Abertay Universities renowned Games Design and Production Management course, Isaac is currently the CEO of the fresh start up games company Pixel Blimp that has recently completed the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator Program and is now focusing on shaping the future of children games.
11:30 - 11:45
Student/ Education Story
Paul Watson, Professor at Newcastle University
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Research: Cloud-First Research at Newcastle Science Central.
Bio
Paul Watson is Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Digital Institute at Newcastle University. He also directs the £12M RCUK-funded Digital Economy Hub on Social Inclusion through the Digital Economy and Co-Directs the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cloud Computing for Big Data . He graduated in 1983 with a BSc in Computer Engineering from Manchester University, followed by a PhD on parallel graph reduction in 1986. In the 80s, as a Lecturer at Manchester University, he was a designer of the Alvey Flagship and Esprit EDS systems. From 1990-5 he worked for ICL as a system designer of the Goldrush MegaServer parallel database server, which was released as a product in 1994.
In August 1995 he moved to Newcastle University, where he has been an investigator on a wide range of research projects. His research interest is in scalable information management, with a current focus on Cloud Computing. Professor Watson is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, and a member of the UK Computing Research Committee. He received the 2014 Jim Gray eScience Award.
11:50 - 12:05
Student Story
Michael Boon, Elie Vogel students a
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Transforming Future Care: University College of London
Bio
Michael has just graduated from UCL on the MEng Computer Science course. In collaboration with Microsoft, he worked on the UK Future Care project and some smaller projects in the past.
Elie Vogel is currently a MSc Software Systems Engineering student at UCL. He originally hails from the United States and has recently spent time teaching English in Japan. He was the Website Lead for the UK Future Care project delivered in collaboration with Microsoft and hopes to further apply his technical skills to the social sector.
12:10 - 12:55
Intro to Azure
Andrew Fryer & Daniel Baker (QA)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
In this introductory session we will explain exactly what Azure is and the features that enable it to be the logical hone for any cloud service such as scalability, identity and compliance. We'll then introduce the core Azure services that will make this possible and set the scene for the detailed sessions to follow.
Bio
Daniel has been delivering Microsoft curriculum for the past fifteen years. Originally specialising in Client, Server and Infrastructure he has been an early adopter of the Azure technical curriculum and currently leads delivery at QA Ltd. Both a certified Instructor and qualified teacher Daniel worked for a number of FHE colleges in the South East of England before moving over to professional certification delivery for CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft courseware. Daniel is a regularly published sports photographer who can often be found ringside or at various motorsport events.
12:55 - 13:30
LUNCH & AD BREAKS
Abstract
Bio
13:30 - 13:50
Azure Hacks
Paul Foster
Abstract
Bio
14:00 - 14:45
Internet of Things and stream analysis (18)
Paul Foster & Bianca Furtuna
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
The Internet of Things is fuelling vast amounts of data from millions of endpoints that are connected to the cloud. To handle and analyse this there are two services in Azure: Event Hubs and Stream Analytics. Event Hubs are highly scalable push/subscribe investors to which the end points are connected. Behind this Stream Analytics allows for near real time processing of the data and asynchronous adapters allow this analysis to be stored where needed.
Bio
14:45 - 14:55
Azure Hacks
Paul Foster
Abstract
Bio
14:55 - 15:00
DVLUP
Paul Lo
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Session on DVLUP rewards
Bio
15:00 - 15:45
Open Source Integration with Azure inc. Java (8)
Boris Devouge
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Windows Azure was recently rebranded as Microsoft Azure to reflect the increasing number of workloads run by customers that are open source. This is possible because under the covers there is massive support for Open Source from Apache Ant to WordPress. When it comes to languages while .Net is now open source, many may be more familiar with other languages supported by Azure such as Java, PHP and Python. In this session we'll see what's possible, what's actually being implemented and best practice.
Bio
15:45 - 16:00
Azure Hacks
Paul Foster
Abstract
Bio
16:00 - 17:00
Hybrid Services
Rik Hepworth (MVP)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Hybrid Cloud is a widely used term to describe how services can be designed that leverage both public cloud and on premises resources for example the web front ends in a web site might be hooked up databases that reside in local data centres. In this session we'll explore what sort of scenarios are being implemented, how to actually do that and other kinds of hybrid solutions such as cloud to cloud and the integration of platform and infrastructure as a service (Iaas/Pass solutions).
Bio
17:00 - 17:30
Q&A and Close
Scott Hanselman
Abstract
Bio
Day Two Agenda: Apps, Architecture, Big Data and Machine Learning
Day Two is all about how Azure can help you with Apps and Architecture, as well as deep dives into Data and Machine Learning. There will be updates on the Azure Challenge, along with more community speakers.
Please note, we are adding new speakers all the time and the below is subject to change without notice.
Time
Title
Speaker
09:00 - 09:15
Intro to day 2
Abstract
Bio
09:15 - 10:00
Azure App Service part 1 - Web (13)
Martin Beeby
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Azure App Services is and integrated suite of services that enable rapid development of both mobile and web applications that will work on any device or platform. AppServices allows both SaaS type services (Dynamics, SalesForce etc.) and more traditional on premises solutions like Siebel and SAP to be integrated into an application without compromising performance or compliance. In part 1 of this treble session we'll focus on the web application elements of App Services and show: Cross language support (.Net java , PHP etc.), Continuous development through Visual Studio and GitHub and staged deployment with test and production support.
Bio
10:10 - 10:15
DVLUP
Paul Lo
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Session on DVLUP rewards
Bio
10:15 - 11:00
Azure App Service part 2 mobile (13)
Andy Wigley
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
In Part 2 of our look at App Services we'll focus on how this same platform can be used to create cross platform mobile applications and how the new Logic Apps allow you to automate business process behind your applications and integrate with other services in the process. In order to see how easy this is we'll quickly setup a mobile app and connect to social media and warn staff about concerns raised so they can act on them.
Bio
11:15 - 11:45
Azure dev session
Martin Kearn
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Part 3 - Logic and API apps. This is how you architect and build your middleware to integrate
Bio
Martin is a technical evangelist for Microsoft based in the UK. In his role, Martin talks with customers, partners, start-ups and anyone who is willing to listen about developing applications with the Microsoft platform. This includes Windows apps, Office apps and Web technologies including ASP.net and Microsoft Azure. Martin has been working with Microsoft development technologies since the late 90's.
11:45 - 12:15
LUNCH
Abstract
Bio
12:15 - 13:00
SQL Azure
Andy Cross (MVP)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Azure App Services is and integrated suite of services that enable rapid development of both mobile and web applications that will work on any device or platform. AppServices allows both SaaS type services (Dynamics, SalesForce etc.) and more traditional
Bio
13:30 - 14:00
Azure Hack
Paul Foster
Abstract
Bio
14:00 - 14:45
Data Science in the Cloud (7)
Allan Mitchell
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Data science is the art of getting meaningful infomration from data an d while this has traditionla been performed by experts in maths and stats, Azure and Office 365 bring this ability closer to the business and data developer. In fact there are ten data related services in Azure as well as the PowerBi cloud service that is part of Office 365. So inthis session we'll review what they are and how they fit together to support various kinds of analysis, where the related session will focus on just one or two of these areas
Bio
15:00 - 15:45
Big Data and HD Insight on Azure (5)
Richard Conway (MVP)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
The term Big data has become a little over used and certainly misused, but for many businesses it is a vital tool doing real work. In this session we'll focus on HD Insight, a full implementation of hadoop on Azure. We'll configure an HD Insight cluster and see how to interact with it as well as discussing the sort of uses it's being put to in the real world
Bio
16:00 - 16:45
Machine Learning with Azure (15)
Andrew Fryer & Amy Nicholson
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Machine Learning is an area of data science which is used to make some sort prediction. Azure Machine Learning is a service which brings this capability much closer to the business in three ways; It's a cloud service, it has built in world class algorithms which can be augmented with your own (written in R or Python), and it allows your algorithm to be published in a couple of clicks so it can be consumed by any other service. This agility means that in 45 minutes we can build out an Azure ML model and publish it, while explaining how it works.
Bio
16:45 - 17:00
Day 2 Wrap up
Abstract
Bio
Day Three Agenda: Cloud Infrastructure and Dev Ops
Day Three is all about Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps. There will be updates on the Azure Challenge, along with more community speakers. We’ll also cover security and tips on how to buy Azure in the most cost effective way, along the offers available if you are a Start-up, MSDN subscriber, or Enterprise customer.
Please note, we are adding new speakers all the time and the below is subject to change without notice.
Time
Title
Speaker
09:00 - 09:15
Introduction to Day 3
Ed Baker
Abstract
Bio
09:15 - 10:00
Virtual Networks (9)
Ed Baker & Daniel Baker (QA)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
A major driver for the adoption of Azure services, is to enable IT departments to move server resources into the cloud. You can create VMs in Azure without using VNets if you want to. A VM in a VNet can communicate directly with any other VM in the VNet. VNets are the only way to enable direct communication between a VM and a PaaS cloud service. You can also control the IP addresses assigned to VMs and PaaS cloud service within a VNet and assign DNS servers for name resolution. See and hear how to create and use virtual Networks in Azure.
Bio
Daniel has been delivering Microsoft curriculum for the past fifteen years. Originally specialising in Client, Server and Infrastructure he has been an early adopter of the Azure technical curriculum and currently leads delivery at QA Ltd.
10:15 - 11:00
Intro Azure VMs (4)
Ed Baker & Daniel Baker (QA)
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Creating virtual machines (VMs) is the first step in deploying an Azure environment, but equally important is understanding the options for configuring and then monitoring VMs. Configuration and management are essential in delivering secure, available and scalable solutions. Azure provides highly flexible options for all three of these requirements, but simply leaving systems at default settings seldom delivers the best solution, for security, availability, or scalability. See how to create and configure Azure Vm's in this session.
Bio
Both a certified Instructor and qualified teacher Daniel worked for a number of FHE colleges in the South East of England before moving over to professional certification delivery for CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft courseware.
11:15 - 12:00
Backup and DR on Azure (10)
Paul Appleby
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Azure provides a durable, scalable and cost-effective solution to backup and Disaster recovery. The Azure Site Recovery service enables a number of powerful DR scenarios including a preview of VMWare VM recovery. Azure Backup helps protect files and folders. Virtually seamless integration with Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) means Azure Backup can help protect Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, Windows client, and Hyper-V virtual machine (VM) applications, among others. Now in preview, online backups of Windows and Linux infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). This session will step you through these great services.
Bio
Daniel is a regularly published sports photographer who can often be found ringside or at various motorsport events.
12:00 - 12:30
MSIT - Multifactor Authentication
Ed Baker
Abstract
Bio
12:30 - 13:15
Hybrid Identity and Azure AD (14)
Ed Baker
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Provide users with single sign-on for access to all their corporate resources and manage those identities across your datacentre and in the cloud with powerful identity and access management capabilities. The Microsoft Identity and access management story is a powerful and compelling one. See how Azure Active Directory can assist you to create a true self-service solution for users to reset passwords, create and manage their own groups and much more.
Bio
13:25 - 14:10
Security on Azure (17)
Steve Plank
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
In many of the demos in this series of webinars we have stood up services in Azure using oiur subscription credentials combined with the self-signed certificates created automatically by Azure. In the real world this is not best practice for production services, so what is there in Azure to make it secure and trusted. It's also important to understand what accreditations and standards are supported by Azure to ensure it meets the compliance criteria needed by certain organisation and use cases.
Bio
14:20 - 14:50
How to buy Azure (19)
Rok Palcic/Cliff Evans
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Azure is used by a wide range organisations from start-ups to major corporates. In all cases it's important to get insight into the cost options for using Azure as a platform and to get certainty on those costs will relate to activity and usage. In this session we'll see what tools are available to both monitor and predict costs.
Bio
15:00 - 15:45
Storage & storSimple (16)
Paul Appleby & friend
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
Azure has a number of storage options to suit particular uses cases including a hybrid technology , StorSimple a hybrid backup appliance. We'll look at each of these to see how they work and relate this to how they are actually being used in current production scenarios.
Bio
15:55 - 16:40
DevOps and Azure (11)
Ed Baker
see agenda with session abstracts and speaker bios ↓
Abstract
DevOps is the new buzz word in bringing a more agile and responsive system of holistic management to the IT Pro and Developer worlds. Microsoft Azure helps this in Many ways, in this session we will cover some of the basic building blocks provided such as Chef and Puppet integration. How the Docker engine is also available on an Ubuntu VM in the Azure marketplace. Come and dip your toe in the DevOps world.
Bio
16:40 - 17:00
Day 3 wrap up
Ed Baker
Abstract
Machine Learning is an area of data science which is used to make some sort prediction. Azure Machine Learning is a service which brings this capability much closer to the business in three ways; It's a cloud service, it has built in world class algorithms which can be augmented with your own (written in R or Python), and it allows your algorithm to be published in a couple of clicks so it can be consumed by any other service. This agility means that in 45 minutes we can build out an Azure ML model and publish it, while explaining how it works.
Bio
Getting Started with Azure
You don’t need an Azure subscription to join this event, but you’ll get more out of it if you do. By setting up a free 30-day trial you’ll get £125 in FREE credits to spend on any of the Azure services you like. You’ll need to enter your credit card to sign up but don’t worry; this is only for fraud prevention and you will not be charged during your free trial period.
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