Updated Microsoft SCSM 2010 Course

I’m primarily a Configuration Manager guy, but for the last few months I’ve been working with a couple of clients implementing System Center Service Manager. Service Manager is one of the newer additions to the System Center family, and provides an ITIL based solution for incident and problem resolution, change control, and asset lifecycle management. Since it leverages resources already in your Active Dirctory, as well as Configuration Manager inventory and assett information and Operations Manager alerts (if you use SCCM and SCOM), SCSM is a nice fit for organizations already invested in those products.  See http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/service-manager.aspx for more information about the product.

If you’ve been looking for official Microsoft System Center Service Manager (SCSM) Curriculum, up until now your selection has been pretty limited. The only official course was horrible. Last week Microsoft shipped an updated version of that course, and 50217B Planning, Deploying and Managing Microsoft System Center Service Manager 2010 looks to be significantly improved. You still spend the first 9 modules (1.5 days) on ITIL, Incident and Change Management concepts, and Reporting with no hands-on labs, but then launch into a series of what appear to be decent modules on Service Manager implementation and configuration.

I’ve just downloaded the course and am in the process of reviewing it, but from first looks, I think this might be a decent solution if you’ve been waiting for Service Manager training. Here’s a list of the modules and what you can expect to learn (note that as of this writing, Microsoft Learning website still lists only the “A” version course and syllabus and has not been updated to this new version)

• Module 1: ITIL/MOF Overview 
• Module 2: Change Management
• Module 3: Configuration Management
• Module 4: Service Desk
• Module 5: Incident Management
• Module 6: Problem Management
• Module 7: Reviews and Reports
• Module 8: Organizational Analysis
• Module 9: Planning and Architecture Design
• Module 10: Deploying Service Manager
• Module 11: Configuration Management and Connectors
• Module 12: Service Manager Management Packs
• Module 13: User Roles and Functions
• Module 14: Using System Center Service Manager
• Module 15: Data Warehouse and Reporting
• Module 16: Self Service Portal
• Module 17: Maintaining Service Manager
• Module 18: Extending Service Manager
• Module 19: Troubleshooting Service Manager

For anyone looking for customized training solutions, feel free to contact me I know of some great third-party (non-Microsoft) courses as well.