Heroes Happen {2008}
Customer: Microsoft
Executive Summary
- Heroes Happen {2008} is one of the most high profile launch events in Microsoft’s history, being the simultaneous launch for Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Visual Studio 2008.
- The event is run over several weeks and is held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
- Microsoft chose Codify to provide network design and implementation consulting for the Heroes Happen {2008} launch event.
Business Scenario
Microsoft needed a trusted group of vendors to provide technology and logistical support for the national launch event for three key products. Codify was invited to participate in this solution.
Customer Profile
Microsoft is a worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
Development Team
Microsoft events are run by an established group of suppliers who have specific capabilities. The team for Heroes Happen {2008} was:
- Codify – Network design and implementation
- Jackmorton Worldwide – All non-technology event delivery
- Jomablue – Project and logistical management
- Staging Connections – Audio/visual and rigging
Solution
Providing a consistent technology experience across all of the venues at which the event was run proved challenging. Each venue differs greatly in terms of technical infrastructure and technology staff capability and so to provide a consistent experience it is necessary to ship almost all technology infrastructure rather than relying on a particular venue’s infrastructure.
Preparation for an event such as this starts several months before the first delegate walks through the door. Detailed site inspections and preliminary wireless surveys were conducted at each venue so decisions could be made as to how much (if any) of the venue’s core and edge switching equipment would be utilised.
The team delivers the following services at each venue:
- Two discrete networks at each event. One for Microsoft staff and presenters and one for exhibitors and sponsors
- Firewall and security policy management on these networks
- Two secure 802.11 a/b/g networks
- Capability to run up to a dozen virtual machines on-demand to facilitate file and print services as required. These virtual machines are hosted on redundant servers.
High quality hardware throughout including Cisco 1232 access points with high-gain panel antennas and Catalyst switches.
Success Stories
The event has been successfully delivered at four out of six venues at the time of writing this. Attendance at each venue was at sell-out capacity and all of the technology requirements of the sessions were successfully met.
Further Information
Further information on this project may be obtained by contacting Codify Pty Ltd. Contact Details >