A quick note – my first post on the Fusion-io blog! “VSL Gets Certified for Windows Server 2012“.

The Virtual Storage Layer is software (device drivers) that implements many of the features that differentiate Fusion-io’s ioDrive products from other Flash memory solutions, and getting VSL Certified for Windows Server 2012 is important both in its own right, but also is important to Fusion-io’s OEM partners including HP, IBM, Dell, Cisco, and SuperMicro.

It’s been a fascinating learning experience, burrowing into the details of the IHV programs and processes, and comparing those to the ISV programs and processes I’m familiar with. Always something new to learn about working with Microsoft!

I’ve started a new job with Fusion-io where I’ll be applying the same techniques I’ve described here. I suspect my blogging will take a back seat for a while as I get up to speed in the new job. I’ll also be learning some new wrinkles since Fusion-io is a hardware company whose primary software deliverable is device drivers, rather than a “pure” software product.

So, for now, this blog is … To Be Continued.

My goal with “ISV Results With Microsoft” is to help ISVs develop your relationship with Microsoft, maximize the value received, and achieve your goals.

Can you get your product demoed during a MS keynote? Yes – demos of ISV products are a staple of MS keynotes. But how do you get your product into a keynote?

The implementation details will be different for each ISV, because each ISV is different – what you want from MS, which MS products and technologies you integrate with or build upon, which markets you target, how well you tolerate life on the leading (or bleeding) edge of technological change, whether you’re “all in” with the latest MS technology.

Nonetheless, I’ve observed that even the basic guidelines and understanding of MS culture that will help any ISV work more successfully with MS are not widely known. Why is that? Not sure, but I’m going to try to fill that void. Continue reading →