Austin, Texas. - December 15, 2004

For immediate distribution

Faced with a great wave of interest in their recently released Operating System Deployment (OSD) Feature Pack for SMS, Microsoft today unveiled a FAQ aimed at helping customers answer questions relating to deployment.

Larry Duncan, a Practice Manager for Austin-based Collective Technologies and a Microsoft recognized Most Valuable Professional (MVP), was quick to realize that the new feature pack was going to generate an onslaught of questions and concerns from SMS administrators seeking to use the OSD features within their SMS environments. Using a combination of questions asked during a live webcast and ensuing questions on SMS related Internet mailing lists, Duncan assembled a list of over 40 key questions and answers about the product. This FAQ (or list of Frequently Asked Questions) can now be directly accessed from Microsoft’s SMS product documentation website.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sms/sms2003/techfaq/tfaq13.mspx

Collective CEO Ed Taylor said “The addition of the OS Deployment Feature Pack for SMS is a significant enhancement. We are delighted to be able to help Microsoft keep their customers informed of the increasing capability and value offered by SMS and especially proud of Larry Duncan for his advanced efforts in making this information publicly available”.

About Collective Technologies

Founded in 1994, Collective Technologies is an Austin-based Microsoft Certified Gold Partner with offices and personnel in all major technology corridors providing professional services to strategic partners. www.collectivetech.com

About Microsoft Corporation Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Austin, Texas. - September 2004

Through its close partnership with Microsoft, subject matter experts from Collective Technologies were chosen to address the pressing issues of patch management and security at the upcoming Microsoft Business Technology Summit in Houston (September 28, 2004). ...Read More


Collective Technologies Principal Consultant named one of Microsoft's Most Valuable Professionals

Brian Rogers becomes the second Collective team member recognized with this prestigious award

Austin, Texas. - July 15th, 2004

Microsoft has awarded Brian Rogers, Principal Consultant at Collective Technologies, the title of Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in recognition of his expertise and contribution in the area of System Management. Brian joins Larry Duncan as the second Collective team member to win this award. He also joins an exclusive group of 1,800 technology experts around the world whose proficiency in a wide range of Microsoft specialties have earned them the MVP Award.

Microsoft established the MVP Award eleven years ago as a way to reward individuals for their outstanding contributions in a wide range of community activities. The MVP status is awarded to the most active online community "gurus" for their technical expertise, willingness to share their experience, and commitment to helping others achieve their goals with Microsoft technology.

"On behalf of Microsoft, I am pleased to recognize Brian Rogers as one of our Most Valuable Professionals," said Sean O'Driscoll, Director of Technical Communities and MVP at Microsoft Corp. "MVPs are a diverse group of individuals from around the world who demonstrate expertise in Microsoft products, display an incredible passion for technology, and truly inspire others." Brian is an active member of numerous Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) communities, having provided assistance with several thousand postings over the years. He has taken the instructor role with different SMS versions, mentoring system administrators in a variety of industry-standard best practices. He also provides SMS 2003 design and implementation services for Collective Technologies and actively participates in the creation of the company's SMS packaged services.

"We congratulate Brian on this outstanding achievement," said Jason Thomas, Vice President of Professional Services for Collective Technologies. "His commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, on top of his outstanding technical capabilities, makes him worthy of this award. As Brian becomes our second Microsoft MVP in Systems Management, it shows the level of expertise we have developed in this area. By providing an environment where collaboration and professional growth are highly encouraged, Collective consultants develop world-class skills and expand their knowledge base to include a wide range of technologies. This allows Collective to attract the best professionals in the market and assist its partners with the delivery of quality technology solutions that maximize the customers' return on their technology investments."

Larry Duncan is Recognized as an Active Technical Community Leader, Sharing Microsoft Product Experiences with Peers Around the World

Microsoft has awarded Larry Duncan, Principal Consultant at Collective Technologies, the title of Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in recognition of his expertise and contribution in the area of Systems Management. Larry joins an exclusive group of 1,800 technology experts around the world whose proficiency in a wide range of Microsoft specialties have earned them the MVP Award.

Microsoft established the MVP Award 11 years ago as a way to reward amazing individuals for their outstanding contributions in a wide range of community activities. The MVP status is awarded to the most active online community "gurus" for their technical expertise, voluntary willingness to share their experience and commitment to helping others achieve their goals within Microsoft technical communities.

"Larry Duncan's contributions to the Microsoft Systems Management Server community make him an ideal participant in the MVP Program," said John Buscher, MVP Lead at Microsoft Corp. "As an MVP, Larry is part of a diverse group of individuals from around the world who demonstrate expertise in Microsoft products, display an incredible passion for technology and truly inspire others."

Larry is an active member of several Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) communities and has developed SMS Installer training courses delivered to over 1,000 people in five countries and 30 U.S. cities over the past five years. His articles have been published in Windows 2000 and .NET magazines. Larry has founded six regional SMS User Groups and has presented papers and delivered talks in a variety of technical venues. He presented "Active Directory Concerns for SMS 2003" at the 2003 Directory Experts Conference in 2003 and has been selected to give a presentation this year at the Microsoft Management Summit, where he has been a speaker for four of the last six years. He also provides SMS 2003 design and implementation services for Collective Technologies and leads the creation of the company's SMS packaged services.

"We congratulate Larry on this outstanding achievement," said Jason Thomas, Vice President of Professional Services for Collective Technologies. "He is a fine example of Collective Technologies' unique hiring process and collaborative culture, which allows us to attract and build top-rate Microsoft technologists. By providing an environment where collaboration and professional growth are highly encouraged, Collective consultants develop world-class skills and expand their knowledge base to include a wide range of technologies. This allows Collective to assist its partners with the delivery of quality technology solutions that maximize the customers' return on their technology investments. Larry's hard work and dedication to excellence is an example of the high-caliber consultants we have to offer to our clients."