News


Standalone Microsoft Intune and EMS Getting Price Hike

Starting in July, standalone subscriptions to Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Enterprise Mobility plus Security (EMS) will each cost $2 more.

Next Windows 10, Office LTSC Releases To Have Shorter Support Lifecycles

The next long-term servicing channel (LTSC) releases of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, both expected in the second half of 2021, will each have five fewer years of support.

Microsoft Gives Early Look at Windows 10 Version 21H1

Microsoft is readying the first Windows 10 feature update of 2021, dubbed 21H1, for release sometime in the first half of this year.

Confusion Over Microsoft's Planned 'Teams Pro' Rebrand

Microsoft is rebranding its existing Teams product next month, but its messaging has caused confusion over whether it's launching an altogether new product.

Microsoft Azure Goes To Space via HPE Partnership

A partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) will bring Microsoft Azure to the International Space Station (ISS) by way of HPE's Spaceborne Computer-2.

Silver Pins

Dataverse Yields Two New Teams Apps: Bulletins and Milestones

Two new Microsoft Teams applications built using the Dataverse for Teams service are now available for download from the Teams store.

Channel Investments Helping Drive Spike in Cloud Spending

Cloud spending has been on a tear, due in no small part to cloud giants Microsoft and AWS increasing their investments in respective partner programs.

Microsoft Readies Guest Access for Teams

Microsoft on Monday announced it has started rolling out a guest access feature in Microsoft Teams.

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Microsoft Viva Emerges as a Platform for the Remote-Work Age

Microsoft this week unveiled Viva, a suite of apps designed to bolster human resources capabilities, company communications and employee access to learning materials.

Microsoft: Windows 10 Can Be Provisioned in 'Cloud Configuration'

Microsoft this week described a standardized approach for configuring and managing Windows 10 PCs called "Windows 10 in cloud configuration."

Microsoft Talks Progress with Windows Virtual Desktop

Microsoft recently described recent and upcoming advances in Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), its virtual desktop infrastructure service.

Zoom Breaks into Top 5 Azure Marketplace Apps that Use Azure AD

The Zoom videoconferencing app was among the top movers in Microsoft's list of the most used non-Microsoft applications that use Azure Active Directory.

Microsoft To Combine SharePoint and OneDrive Admin Portals

Microsoft plans to merge its OneDrive and SharePoint Admin Center management portals, with a consolidated portal expected to arrive for subscribers "through February."

Microsoft Study IDs Top Remote-Work Concerns: Security, Training

Phishing attacks, end user device security and training were among the top issues cited by respondents of Microsoft's survey on the effects of COVID-19 remote work conditions.

Microsoft and SAP, Longtime Azure Partners, Turn Focus to Teams

Microsoft and SAP this week announced plans to integrate Microsoft Teams with SAP solutions, a notable expansion of their existing collaboration around Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Open License Deadline Applies to Education and Government, Too

The January 2022 end date for Microsoft's "Open License program" applies to government, education and nonprofit organizations, not just commercial customers.

With Remote Work Here To Stay, Microsoft Talks Up Teams and SharePoint

At a talk this week, a top Microsoft executive described the role of Teams and SharePoint in a world of remote-work environments.

Microsoft Reminds Teams Laggards that Skype for Business Is on Borrowed Time

Microsoft is touting the benefits of Teams in an effort to convince users of Skype for Business, which stands to lose support in a few months, to migrate.

Microsoft 365 Defender Added to FastTrack Program

FastTrack, Microsoft's onboarding support program for organizations, now covers Microsoft 365 Defender security solutions.

Microsoft Promises To Raise Azure AD Uptime to 99.99 Percent

Starting April 1, Microsoft plans to increase its service-level agreement (SLA) for Azure Active Directory to "four nines" of uptime -- or 99.99 percent -- each month.