Microsoft Copilot Evolution – November 2024
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Microsoft Copilot Evolution – November 2024

Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot AI to function more like virtual employees, capable of proactive task automation. This includes monitoring emails, automating data entry, and performing a series of tasks autonomously, showcasing a shift from reactive to proactive AI assistance. Please view the updated blog post I wrote early this month The World of Microsoft…

The World of Microsoft Copilot Products – Update Nov 2024
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The World of Microsoft Copilot Products – Update Nov 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, productivity and efficiency are more important than ever. Microsoft has developed a suite of Copilot products, each designed to help you get the most out of your workday. Let’s take a closer look at these offerings. This is an update to the blog post I wrote about a year ago: Making…

Microsoft Teams is not included in Microsoft 365
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Microsoft Teams is not included in Microsoft 365

Microsoft has separated Teams into its own standalone licensed product, Teams Enterprise, ending its previous inclusion with the Office 365/Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools. Microsoft made this change in response to concerns raised by the European Commission about the bundling of Teams with Microsoft 365 and Office 365.  Microsoft has unbundled Teams from its enterprise Microsoft…

Microsoft Copilot: Understanding Security Risks

Microsoft Copilot: Understanding Security Risks

There is a lot of misconceptions / questions about the security around the Microsoft Copilot products. understandably, it is usually one of the first question that comes-up when companies are considering Copilot use within their organizations. (the elephant in the room!) Let’s quickly put some misconceptions to bed right away: Per Microsoft Documentation: Understanding how…

Microsoft Stream January 2024 – Updates Changes

Microsoft Stream January 2024 – Updates Changes

Very interesting changes coming to Microsoft Stream platform…  Microsoft Stream Classic will retire on February 15, 2024 My FAVORITE:   Virtual teleprompter The teleprompter feature is a new addition to Microsoft Stream that allows you to add a scrolling script to your screen recording or video. This can be helpful if you need to read…

OneDrive v3.0
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OneDrive v3.0

Last week Microsoft announced OneDrive 3.0 Lots of excellent updated to an already great product. they are calling it The Future of File Management and it includes AI capabilities! ( OneDrive with Copilot ) to help quickly search, organize and extract information from your files.  Although not every featured mentioned is there, some are already…

New Microsoft Teams version GA: Much faster and uses 50% less memory

New Microsoft Teams version GA: Much faster and uses 50% less memory

New Microsoft Teams version GA: Much faster and uses 50% less memory ! Much faster, and it uses 50% less memory! Announcing general availability of the new Microsoft Teams app for Windows and Mac – Microsoft Community Hub Switch to the new Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Support A great video on this topic published by:…

Microsoft Intune Suite

Microsoft Intune Suite

On March 1, 2023 Microsoft announced Microsoft Intune Suite which consolidates its endpoint management and security solutions to streamline protection for cloud-connected and on-premises endpoints.  It includes: The new Intune Suite can be added all Microsoft Intune subscribers (including Microsoft 365 E3 and E5) which already include core Intune (now called Intune Plan 1) for an additional…

Microsoft Modern Work Webinars
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Microsoft Modern Work Webinars

The Microsoft Cloud Acquisitions Team of Technical Specialists have has a new YouTube channel around the Modern Work stack and their first set of webinars is a  high-level overview of the Security Features available with M365. I particularly liked the Advanced Identity Concepts AD Premium Plan 2 one — very well presented and good content! Loved this Worth…

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365

Microsoft 365 vs Office 365

Microsoft 365 is the current name for the suite of productivity services and applications (Microsoft rebranded Office 365 to Microsoft 365 in April 2020). Please see Microsoft 365 Plans Microsoft 365 Office 365 Both services include the core Office applications, now called Microsoft 365 Apps (See Updates here), but Microsoft 365 represents Microsoft’s broader vision…

New Microsoft Stream
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New Microsoft Stream

Launched in 2016, Microsoft Stream is a web app for creating, editing, managing, and discovering videos and playback videos. It was loosely connected to other Microsoft 365 apps and service, and videos were stored separately from it. Back in September 22, 2020, Microsoft published a blog post titled New Vision for Microsoft Stream. In it…

Enabling Remote Work with Microsoft 365 – Webcast
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Enabling Remote Work with Microsoft 365 – Webcast

Back in April, Microsoft launched a new podcast – they call it Webcast — focusing on how the Microsoft 365 platform helps remote work. The webcast is hosted by Steve Rose Senior Product Manager on Modern Workplace. To-date, there has been six episode featuring interviews with Microsoft staff talking about their individual products . It…

Microsoft Platform Numbers
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Microsoft Platform Numbers

Some interesting data bits from Microsoft Source: Collected listening to different sessions From Microsoft Ignite (November 2019) 600 billion authentications serviced each month by Azure Active Directory (AAD) 900+million deployed Windows 10 PCs, 200 million commercial PCs, Macs, iOS and Android devices managed by ConfigMgr and Intune, 200 million Office 365 users, 13+ 20 million…

Microsoft Skype for Business Online to be retired
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Microsoft Skype for Business Online to be retired

Microsoft Skype for Business Online to be retired on July 31, 2021 As per Microsoft’s James Skay blog post on 7/30/2019: Today we’re announcing that Skype for Business Online will be retired on July 31, 2021. This post provides details on the retirement plan, a brief explanation of why we’re making this announcement now, and…

Azure Active Directory
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Azure Active Directory

Microsoft released Active Directory in Windows 2000 server, and it became a standard for enterprise identity management. Active Directory lives on-premises in servers called Domain Controllers (DC). Active Directory lives on-premise in servers called Domain Controllers (DC). Windows Active Directory or commonly referenced as Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft’s predecessor to Azure Active Directory, Azure Active Directory…

Microsoft Modern Desktop Deployment Guidance
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Microsoft Modern Desktop Deployment Guidance

Microsoft published a guidance document (and associated video series) to help customers migrate to the Modern Desktop. The Modern Desktop refers to Microsoft’s bundled product suite called Microsoft 365 which includes: Windows 10, Office 365 and Enterprise Mobility & Security (See my Microsoft 365 Explained blog post ) Microsoft’s guidance includes 8 steps:

Microsoft 365 Versions Comparison
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Microsoft 365 Versions Comparison

I wanted to write something  about a question I get often asked: What is the pricing and the differences between the different versions of Microsoft 365.   Microsoft has a variety of productivity and security management offerings that small to medium-sized and large enterprise customers may consider when upgrading their desktop and device infrastructure, each bringing…

Microsoft Platform: Workspace Transformation
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Microsoft Platform: Workspace Transformation

Workspace transformation is gaining  lot of momentum at the moment.   At its core,  it is about letting users access data and applications securely anywhere anytime.   Enabling users to quickly provision their devices is only part of the story.   Request applications so they can quickly securely access the  data without the large bureaucracy associated with IT…