When we first proposed this book, we set a goal of writing a different kind of SharePoint book. We did not want a reference that repeated the software development kit, nor did we want a how-to book that explained how to configure the out-of-the-box functionality. Instead, we envisioned a book that helped developers apply the Microsoft Office platform to customer problems. Since Chad and I work at the Microsoft Technology Center in Virginia, we have a unique opportunity to work with a wide variety of customers, in both the commercial and public sectors, who are trying to realize a benefit from incorporating Office technologies into their enterprises. Many of these customers are not just seeking installation or configuration advice. Instead, the focus is on how the Microsoft Office platform will make their workers more efficient, their processes more repeatable, and their businesses more profitable. For these customers, the technology must be applied to their specific challenges. With the release of Office 2010, Microsoft gives the developer a complete platform (both client and server) for generating documents, automating processes, enhancing collaboration, and integrating li- of-business data. This platform includes not only the latest releases of SharePoint products and technologies, but also a new set of desktop applications. More importantly, these applications are extendable by . NET developers. This book walks through solutions to common customer challenges and utilizes both the client and server technologies of the Office 2010 platform, including Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, and Visual Studio 2010.