Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP SMS]
Often overlooked, the Microsoft Support Webcasts offer a wealth of information. Below you can find a list sorted by date (most recent first and yes unfortunately 2005 was the last time these were done) of SMS-related Webcasts.

To view some of the older Webcasts you'll need Window Media Player. For some of the Webcasts you'll be able to download copies of the PowerPoint slides either when you load up the Webcast or in the case of the "On Demand" one's you'll receive an email with links to download the session so you can view it offline/ download the slides.

If you don't have PowerPoint, simply use the relevant version of the PowerPoint viewer 2007 or 2003.

Support WebCast: Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Discussion of the Beta Program
December 18, 2002
Level:200
The Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 beta has been available for almost three months now. It has been deployed at many beta test and early adopter test sites. This Support WebCast will discuss both the successes that occurred and the issues that were discovered during the testing process. This session will provide valuable data to anyone who wants to evaluate SMS 2003 by using the SMS 2003 beta product.

Support WebCast: Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003: Troubleshooting Advanced Clients
November 26, 2002
Level:200
In this session, you will learn how to troubleshoot the new Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 client platform, the advanced client. You'll learn what the specific client log files document, how the client interacts with its site systems, and what tools are available to diagnose and resolve client issues.

Support WebCast: Microsoft Systems Management Server: 2003 Backup and Recovery
Tuesday, October 15, 2002: 10:00 A.M. Pacific time (GMT- 7 hours).
Level: 200
In this Support WebCast session about Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), you will learn the steps in a successful backup process, and what steps are required for a successful recovery of an SMS site into a hierarchy. You will also learn what tools SMS 2003 provides to help you in the backup and recovery process, including the Site Recovery Expert and the Site Repair Wizard.

Understanding SMS 2003 Querying and Reporting
Tuesday August 20, 2002: 10:00 A.M. Pacific time (GMT- 7 hours).
In this session, you will hear about the new and updated features of System Management Server (SMS) 2003 that will make generating queries and reports much easier than in previous versions of SMS. You will learn about the new query classes, importing and exporting queries, and the new default queries. Then you will see the SMS Reporting feature, and its integration into SMS 2003 as a reporting solution.

SMS 2003: Working with the Beta Release
Tuesday July 30, 2002 : 8:00 A.M. Pacific time (GMT- 7 hours).
Level:200
During this Support WebCast session, you will learn what you can and cannot do with the beta release of Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003. Some features or functions are not operational in the beta release. This Support WebCast session will discuss them so that you are aware of what can and cannot be successfully tested with the SMS 2003 beta release. The WebCast will also provide specific information about topics that were updated from what was stated in previous Support WebCasts, such as the change in product directions over the past few months.

Introducing Software Metering in Microsoft SMS 2003
Thursday, June 13, 2002
The software metering solution that will be available for SMS 2003 has been completely rewritten to provide better usage and scalability than was available in SMS 2.0. You will learn about the new features that will be available in this new version, and what has changed from the software metering solution in SMS 2.0.

Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Remote Control Options
Thursday, May 9, 2002
During this Support WebCast, you will learn about the various options that are available for an SMS administrator to perform end-user support (such as Help Desk activities), using the next release of Systems Management Server (codenamed Topaz). These options include Remote Control, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Services.

Preparing for Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz) Deployment
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
During this Support WebCast, you will learn what you should be doing to prepare for deployment of the next version of Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), which is code named Topaz. You will learn what you should do prior to a new deployment, as well as how to prepare for an upgrade of SMS 2.0 to Topaz.

Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz): Understanding Advanced Security
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
In this session, you will learn about the new Advanced Security model for the next release of Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), which is code named Topaz. You will learn how it compares and contrasts to the standard SMS security model, how to implement it in your SMS Topaz sites, and what the requirements to implement it are.

Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz Release): Understanding Mobile Client
Tuesday, January 8, 2002
In this session, we will introduce the mobile client support that Microsoft Systems Management Server (Topaz release) provides. We will discuss the differences between the desktop and mobile client platforms, when to use each, and how the mobile client interacts with the Topaz site.

Microsoft Systems Management Server : (Topaz) Software Distribution Enhancements
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
In this session, you will learn about the new features and functions for software distribution in the upcoming release of Systems Management Server (SMS), which is code named Topaz. You will learn how Topaz compares to SMS version 2.0, as well as the new features such as download and execute, delta replication, and Add/Remove Programs integration.

New Microsoft Systems Management Server (code named Topaz) and Active Directory Integration
Thursday, November 29, 2001
In this session, you will learn more details about the various areas the next release of Microsoft Systems Management Server (code named Topaz) includes to integrate with an Active Directory environment. Features such as discovery of system resources from Active Directory and integration of Active Directory site names with SMS site boundaries greatly improve the functionality of SMS in an Active Directory environment.

Introduction to the Next Release of Microsoft Systems Management Server
Thursday, September 6, 2001
In this session, we will talk about the next version of Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). This new release is scheduled to enter the Beta 1 phase late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2001. This session will provide information about the new features in SMS that help you prepare for this release.