Microsoft today released the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012, its product for automating deployment of Windows 7, Office 2010, Office 365 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

According to the company, the latest version of the toolkit has several updates, including self-service, user-customizable installation through System Center Configuration Manager 2012, one of the key products in the revamped management suite that is the focus of this week’s Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) in Las Vegas. Administrators can also expect integration with the Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolkit, and support for testing the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. MDT 2012 is available for both x86 and x64 platforms; download it here, along with supporting documentation.

The release was one of several announcements Microsoft has made over the past couple of days.

On Monday, the company made note of an upcoming new version of Windows Intune, its cloud-based desktop management service, which will reportedly support mobile devices including Windows Phone 7, iPads, iPhones, and Android-based phones and mobile devices (via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync). This matches with the recent updates to System Center Configuration Manager 2012, and like that product, Windows Intune 3.0 (not the official name just yet) will also feature a self-service portal for end users. Download the “Pre-Release Getting Started Guide” here, and stay tuned for more information on the official release during MMS.

Also on Monday, Microsoft detailed its plans for Windows 8 SKUs. In contrast to previous releases, there will be only three versions of the upcoming operating system: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT (previously Windows on ARM). Though the stripped-down structure is likely intended to reduce consumer confusion, some think the Windows RT name, which may refer to the Windows runtime library that supports the new Metro-style design, thwarts those efforts.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments, or via Twitter (@WindowsTT).

Note: Due to some compatibility issues with Internet Explorer, the Storify might not show up; view it at Storify’s website here.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

ISO Images: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

Windows Server 8 beta: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx?ocid=&wt.mc_id=TEC_108_1_33

Related links:
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product Guide for Business (PDF): http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28970

Windows Server 8 beta evaluation guide (PDF): http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/E/6/1E69F2EF-F6CA-4470-8029-BFFFBF972EC8/WS8%20Beta%20Evaluation%20Guide.pdf

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Remote Administration Tools: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28972

Assessment and Deployment Toolkit for Windows 8 Consumer Preview: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28997

Visual Studio 11 Ultimate Beta: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28975

During the inevitable onslaught of buzzwords, why not get a little bit of a buzz? Our Windows 8 launch drinking game is a handy way to keep tabs on this major event, and have a little fun doing it. The rules are simple – whenever you read or hear one of the words listed below on Wednesday, take the appropriate drink (of coffee or tea, naturally; the event starts at 3 p.m. Barcelona time, which is 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m. PST — even the biggest Microsoft fans don’t party that hard).

Got a word to add to the list, or just don’t want to drink alone? Drop us a line on Twitter @WindowsTT (hashtag: #win8buzz).

Also coming on February 29 will be the Visual Studio 11 beta. The developer software will feature integration with Microsoft System Center 2012, which should enable more efficient communication between administrators and developers when responding to program crashes. Microsoft will also release the .Net 4.5 beta next week.

In delivering these beta releases, Microsoft has the core pieces in place for many of its cloud, management, and development strategies. It remains to be seen how the timing of these releases will affect the eventual delivery of the final code, and whether all the products will be available by the end of 2012.

What are you looking forward to the in the Windows Server 8 beta? Let us know in the comments, or on Twitter @WindowsTT.

In a note posted on Microsoft’s support site, admins can download the patch that extends the Developer Preview from April 2012 to January 15, 2013. It’s a curious step, considering Microsoft hasn’t given any reasoning for the extension.

As is the norm with other preview Microsoft releases, after the expiration date systems will restart every hour and nag the user to give it it a new activation key or update the software. That update should come sooner than mid-January.

Microsoft PR says that there is nothing new to report about regarding Windows Server 8 availability. Meanwhile, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is due out February 29 during Mobile World Congress.