What’s New in Excel (March 2024)

What’s New in Excel (March 2024)

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Welcome to our March 2024 update. 

This month, export to CSV and show details in PivotTables are now available in Excel for the web. Also, creating Power BI-connected tables is available in Excel for Windows users, and Office Scripts for Office 365 E1 and F3 licenses.


Excel for Web:



  1. Export to CSV

  2. Show Details in PivotTables #FIA


Excel for Windows:



  1. Create Power BI Connected Tables in Excel

  2. Office Scripts for Office 365 E1 and F3 Licenses


Excel for Web


1. Export to CSV


The ability to export to CSV is now available to all Web users. This experience was already supported for Windows, and Mac users and we’ve now expanded this service to all Web users. Take advantage of this lightweight file format in Excel for the Web to exchange and use data between apps and across platforms. Read more here >
Export to CSVExport to CSV








#FIA

2. Show Details in PivotTables
We’ve added a new button on the ribbon under the ‘PivotTable Analyze’ tab called Show Details, this button allows you to drill into your PivotTables. Previously, you were able to double-click a value cell in the PivotTable and create a new table to further analyze the details for that value. This button makes this existing capability easier to find and use. This functionality was already available for Web users. 


Excel for Windows


1. Create Power BI Connected Tables in Excel
A new Insert Table option is now available for the Power BI Datasets pane in Excel. It enables users to create a connected table directly in Excel. This streamlines the workflow of adding data and is friendlier to more Excel users. This is now available for all Windows and Web users. Read more here >


Power BI Connected TablesPower BI Connected Tables


 


2. Office Scripts for Office 365 E1 and F3 Licenses
Starting today you can find the Office Scripts feature set in the Automate tab on the Excel ribbon. Office Scripts is an automation platform in Excel that allows users with all levels of programming experience to automate their repetitive workflows. To get started, use the Action Recorder to record the actions you take in Excel. These actions are then translated into a script that you can run at any time. No programming experience required! Read more here >
Office ScriptsOffice Scripts


 


 









Check if a specific feature is in your version of Excel


Click here to open in a new browser tab

 

 



 


Your feedback helps shape the future of Excel. Please let us know how you like a particular feature and what we can improve upon—“Give a compliment” or “Make a suggestion”..  You can also submit new ideas or vote for other ideas via Microsoft Feedback.


 


Subscribe to our Excel Blog and the Insiders Blog to get the latest updates. Stay connected with us and other Excel fans around the world – join our Excel Community and follow us on X, formerly Twitter.


 


Special thanks to our Excel MVPs David Benaim and Bill Jelen for their contribution to this month’s What’s New in Excel article. David publishes weekly YouTube videos and regular LinkedIn posts about the latest innovations in Excel and more. Bill is the founder and host of MrExcel.com and the author of several books about Excel.

AI-powered collaboration with Microsoft Teams

AI-powered collaboration with Microsoft Teams

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Microsoft Teams is where work happens, and now we’re excited to announce new Copilot in Teams enhancements that will supercharge collaboration and make hybrid meetings even better. Read on for all the details.

The post AI-powered collaboration with Microsoft Teams appeared first on Microsoft 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

MGDC for SharePoint FAQ: How can I filter rows on a dataset?

MGDC for SharePoint FAQ: How can I filter rows on a dataset?

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

1. Overview


 


When gathering SharePoint data through Microsoft Graph Data Connect in a large tenant, you might be pulling many thousands, millions or even billions of objects. If you want to get just a subset of the results, there is a mechanism to filter the results at the source.


 


A common example is to pull the data just for one site (filtering for the site id) to get started with a large tenant. This way your results will be smaller, cheaper, and easier to handle. You can also use this to get just specific types of sites, like OneDrive or Communication sites.


 


In this blog, we’ll investigate how you can apply a filter to a dataset in Microsoft Graph Data Connect for SharePoint.


 


2. What is filtering?


 


When you request data from the Microsoft Graph Data Connect for SharePoint, you get the full dataset. For instance, if you request the Sites dataset, you get all the sites in the tenant. This is described in the yellow paths below.


 


JoseBarreto_0-1711144124348.png


 


If you provide a filter with the request, you can get a partial dataset based on a filter expression. You could, for instance, request all sites with a template id of 21 (that means a OneDrive). This is shown by the green paths above.


 


In short, filtering delivers a partial dataset based on a filter expression specified in the request. Only objects that meet the criteria are delivered.


 


The main uses for filtering include:



  • Reducing the size of the transfers

  • Excluding sensitive data from the results


 


Filtering is available only in these specific SharePoint datasets:



  • SharePoint Sites

  • SharePoint Permissions

  • SharePoint Group

  • SharePoint Files (coming soon)

  • SharePoint File Actions (coming soon)


 


Note: Microsoft Graph Data Connect also offers an option to exclude specific columns from the results, which is another mechanism to protect sensitive data.


 


3. Datasets and Columns


 


This filtering feature applies only to the SharePoint datasets listed below. You can filter by Site Id in all SharePoint datasets. You can also filter by Template Id in the Sites, Files and File Actions   datasets:


 




































Dataset



Site Id column



Template Id column



Sites



Id



RootWeb.WebTemplateId



Permissions



SiteId



N/A



Group



SiteId



N/A



Files



SiteId



WebTemplateId



File Actions



SiteId



WebTemplateId



 


For WebTemplateId, refer to this blog post for details on the codes used:
https://barreto.home.blog/2023/04/17/sharepoint-on-mgdc-faq-is-onedrive-included/


If you’re interested in filtering for additional SharePoint dataset columns, please let us know in the comments.


 


4. Expressions and Operators


 


Filters are specified using an expression. The expression usually includes a column (as described in the previous section), an operator and a constant.


 


The main operators supported include:





























































Type



Operator



Description



Equality



eq



Equal



Equality



ne



Not Equal



Equality



in



is IN a list



Relational



lt



Less Than



Relational



gt



Greater Than



Relational



le



Less than or Equal



Relational



ge



Greater than or Equal



Logical



not



Not



Logical



and



And



Logical



or



Or



 


Here are a few sample expressions you could use:




































Dataset



Description



Filtering Expression



Sites



Include only a specific site



Id eq ‘a123’



Sites



Include all sites except a specific site



Id ne ‘a123’



Sites



Include only a specific list of sites



Id in (‘a123’, ‘b456’, ‘c789’)



Sites



Include everything but OneDrive sites



RootWeb.WebTemplateId ne 21



Permissions



Include only a specific site



SiteId eq ‘a123’



 


The expression language is patterned after the Microsoft Graph filter query parameter.  You can read more about it at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/filter-query-parameter.


 


5. Including the Filter expression in the request


 


To add a filter to your request, you must specify a DataFilter property in the JSON representation of the request. Start by selecting the Copy Data task you are using and going to the “Source” tab of the Copy Task properties.


 


JoseBarreto_1-1711144124360.png


 


 


Click on the “{ }” button on the top right (indicated above with a red arrow), which brings up the JSON definition for the request.


 


JoseBarreto_2-1711144124369.png


 


 


In the JSON definition, find the “source” section under “typeProperties”, where you can find the “dateFilterColumn”, the “startTime” and the “endTime” properties. Add a new “DataFilter” property with the expression you want to apply. Save the changes to the JSON and make sure to publish the pipeline to apply the changes.


 


In the screenshot above, you see the definition indicated by the red arrow:
acitvity >> typeProperties >> source >> DataFilter >> RootWeb.WebTemplateId eq 21


 


Be very careful. If you specify the filtering expression in the wrong place in the JSON, the request may fail, or it could just run without filtering anything from the dataset. If you’re running this in a large production tenant, it is recommended to try this first in a small test or dev tenant.


 


6. More Request Metadata


 


As a result of this extra property in your request, the results will be filtered, and you will see fewer rows/objects in your output. Another way to see this is looking at the metadata file that is produced with any Microsoft Graph Data Connect run. Look for a folder called “metadata” in the same place you assigned to receive the data (your Azure account container and folder).


 


In the job metadata file associated with this request, you will see a few additional properties:



  • IsFilterApplied – Shows true if the request included a filter expression.

  • Filter – The expression passed by in the DataFilter property.

  • NumberOfRowsExtracted – Shows the number of rows after the filter was applied.


 


Here’s a sample of a job metadata file:


 

{
    "CopyActivityId": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000",
    "JobSubmissionTime": "2024-01-10T21:27:18Z",
    "JobCompletionTime": "2024-01-10T21:32:44Z",
    "RequestStartDate": "2024-01-06T00:00:00Z",
    "RequestEndDate": "2024-01-06T00:00:00Z",
    "ColumnsRequested":"ptenant, Id, Url, RootWeb, WebCount, StorageQuota, StorageUsed, StorageMetrics, GroupId, GeoLocation, IsInRecycleBin, IsTeamsConnectedSite, IsTeamsChannelSite, TeamsChannelType, IsHubSite, HubSiteId, BlockAccessFromUnmanagedDevices, BlockDownloadOfAllFilesOnUnmanagedDevices, BlockDownloadOfViewableFilesOnUnmanagedDevices, ShareByEmailEnabled, ShareByLinkEnabled, SensitivityLabelInfo, Classification, IBMode, IBSegments, Owner, SecondaryContact, ReadLocked, ReadOnly, CreatedTime, LastSecurityModifiedDate, Operation, SnapshotDate",
    "ExtractionMode": "Full",
    "IsFilterApplied": true,
    "Filter": "RootWeb.WebTemplateId eq 21",
    "NumberOfRowsExtracted": 4,
    "TableName": "BasicDataSet_v0.SharePointSites_v1",
    "ApplicationId": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000",
    "OfficeGeo": "NAM",
    "DataFactoryName": "mgdc-synapse"
}

 


 


7. Combining Filters with Deltas


 


It is possible to combine the filtering and the delta features of the SharePoint datasets in Microsoft Graph Data Connect.


 


When you specify a filtering expression and two different dates, the dataset will be first filtered and then the differences between the two dates will be calculated.


 


For more details about Delta datasets, see this blog post:
MGDC for SharePoint FAQ: How can I use Delta State Datasets? 


 


8. Filtering Errors


 


 If you pass an expression for filtering and there is a problem with it, Microsoft Graph Data Connect for SharePoint will fail the request and no data will be returned. An error message will be returned so you can understand what happened.


 


Here are some of the common error conditions:



  • Cannot filter and sample at the same time. If you specify both a DataFilter and the Top properties, you will get an error like this:


 

Operation on target Copy_Sites failed: 
ErrorCode=UserErrorOffice365DataLoaderError,
'Type=Microsoft.DataTransfer.Common.Shared.HybridDeliveryException,
Message=Office365 data loading failed to execute. 
office365LoadErrorType: PermanentError. 
Not Supported: Both DataFilter and AdditionalDataSetProperties with 'top' can not be specified at the same time,
Source=Microsoft.DataTransfer.ClientLibrary,'

 



  • You specified a column name that is not one the columns supported for that dataset. If you specify a non-existent or unsupported column, you will get an error like this:


 

Operation on target Copy_Sites failed: 
ErrorCode=UserErrorOffice365DataLoaderError,
'Type=Microsoft.DataTransfer.Common.Shared.HybridDeliveryException,
Message=Office365 data loading failed to execute. 
office365LoadErrorType: PermanentError. 
[1]: Invalid schema specified in filters. 
Only few columns are supported for filters. 
Supported Columns: ['Id', 'RootWeb.WebTemplateId']. 
Usage Example: Id eq '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000' 
or RootWeb.WebTemplateId eq 21'
,Source=Microsoft.DataTransfer.ClientLibrary,'

 



  • You specified a bad expression. If you specify a malformed expression in your DataFilter expression, you will get an error.


 


9. Conclusion


 


I hope this blog post will help you get started with Filtering. For more information about Microsoft Graph Data Connect for SharePoint, please visit the collection of links I keep at Links about SharePoint on Microsoft Graph Data Connect.

Introducing the new Work Order Experience in Dynamics 365 Field Service

Introducing the new Work Order Experience in Dynamics 365 Field Service

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

In the dynamic field of service management, efficiency, accuracy, and streamlined processes are key. The new work order experience in Dynamics 365 Field Service, introduced in the 2023 release wave 2 (release plan), offers a refreshed user interface that revolutionizes work order creation, management, and scheduling. We’ve continued to refine and add new features based on your feedback, and starting wave 1 2024, the new experience will be the default for all organizations (release plan). 

What Is the New Work Order Experience?  

The new work order experience is a complete revamp of the existing work order management system within Dynamics 365 Field Service. It simplifies the entire lifecycle of work orders, easing seamless collaboration among service managers, technicians, and dispatchers. Here are the key features: 

  1. Experience the power of Copilot: Achieving operational excellence and building customer trust are paramount for organizations. Copilot, your companion in this journey, provides a summary of the current work order to help you get up to speed quickly. The contextually aware booking card suggests next steps, making the transition from incoming work to completed work smoother.
  2. Streamlined forms: The new work order form features visually appealing layouts with fields that can be quickly updated, reducing clicks by up to 39%. Say goodbye to cumbersome data entry and hello to efficiency.
  3. Enhanced Work Order List: The revamped work order list lets you understand what’s most important to you by introducing visuals to denote work order status, priority, and booked resources. Common actions are readily accessible inline or through the all-new side pane, dropping the need to open a full form for minor updates.

Let’s explore each of these capabilities in more detail.

Overview of the new experience

Work Order Grid

We’ve rebuilt the work order grid from the ground up to increase performance and enable new capabilities such as inline editing of commonly changed fields like priority. We’ve enhanced the visual appeal of the status field and recently added the ability to see booked resources too. You can now configure whether you want just the work order ID or all linked entities to be clickable in the grid. Lastly, we’ve built inline actions and introduced a side pane for quick edits within the flow of work. 

Work Order Form

We’ve updated the work order form to reflect how most organizations manage their work from start to finish. The most vital information is now in the General tab, we’ve merged billable work into a unified Products and Services section, we’ve grouped tasks and inspections under Tasks, and we’ve pulled all reference materials – such as knowledge articles, Dynamics 365 Guides, and timeline media – into the References tab.

General

We reorganized the general tab into a two-column setup for improved readability and better usability, focusing on the most essential information for service organizations. These enhancements are designed to make your daily tasks smoother and more efficient, based on user feedback and telemetry. Key improvements include: 

  • Copilot summary: Copilot helps you quickly catch up on work details and suggests next steps based on the work order status.
  • Contextually-aware booking card: This card is an evolution of the business process flow in Field Service, guiding you through the process of moving a work order from unscheduled to completed effortlessly.
  • Asset card redesign: Set and view primary assets, along with any assets linked to products or services, with improved visualization and navigation of the asset hierarchy.
  • Revamped location card: Easily pinpoint where work needs to be done on a map, with an enhanced visualization of functional locations using a hierarchical breadcrumb.
  • Modernized contact card: Introduction of profile cards for detailed information on issue reporters and primary account contacts, facilitating easy communication via email, call, or Teams message.
  • Improved priority field: Features color-coded priority indicators for better understanding of emerging priorities.
  • Unified Status and Sub-status Field: Select both status and sub-status from a single field, with new color indicators for quick visual reference. 
  • Timeline notes counter: Quickly check if there are any linked notes in the timeline, reducing the need to access the full timeline experience within the general tab.
  • Simplified action bar: Streamlined interface with commonly used actions, reducing clutter and focusing on essential functions.
Products and Services

We’ve unified the Product and Services into a single tab, with a unified summary of financials atop it. Service managers can easily switch between the products and services view, make changes to used inventory and services inline, and open the side pane for more detailed changes. 

Tasks

The tasks section captures the steps that need to be done to complete the work. A summary card keeps count of scheduled vs. completed tasks and duration. You can also visualize if a tasks includes linked items to help technicians complete their work with Dynamics 365 Guides or capture their work result with inspections.

Reference

You can now find all your references in a unified experience that includes knowledge articles that capture fixes or known issues for commonly encountered issues, Dynamics 365 Guides that are linked to tasks, and media that has been attached to the timeline.

Side Panes

The introduction of the side panes is one of the biggest changes in the redesigned work order experience. Side panes allow you to see more details or make minor tweaks to related content in the context of your work. From being able to make tweaks to work order instructions from the work order grid, to updating product inventory financial data in a form, side panes keep you productive. Side panes are available in the work order grid, products and services grids, tasks grids, and when opening related items such as assets.

Transitioning to the new experience

Embracing change can be daunting, but the benefits are worth it. Starting wave 1 2024, the new experience will be the default for all organizations. There are several reasons why organizations should consider transitioning to the new experience starting now:

  1. Stay ahead: The field service industry is evolving rapidly. By adopting the new work order experience, you position your organization at the forefront of innovation.
  2. Future-proof your processes: Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement means that the new experience will evolve further. Be part of that journey.
  3. Training and support: Microsoft provides resources to help you transition smoothly. We’ve invested in robust documentation to guide you and your organization through the process.

Next Steps

The new work order experience in Dynamics 365 Field Service isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a leap forward. Embrace it, empower your team, and elevate your field service operations. Efficiency, collaboration, and customer satisfaction await!

Ready to take the plunge? Start your journey today to ensure your organization stays competitive and prepared for the future of field service management. Explore the official documentation to get started, download our adoption playbook to aid you in the deployment process, and don’t forget to share your feedback using the Feedback button in the app header. Together, we’re shaping the future of field service management.

The post Introducing the new Work Order Experience in Dynamics 365 Field Service appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Explore the next wave of AI innovation at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event

Explore the next wave of AI innovation at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

The potential for AI at work is practically endless—and understanding how your teams can accomplish more with generative AI is more important than ever. Every day, more companies are turning to AI features to help their employees work more efficiently, provide positive customer experiences faster, and stand out among competitors.  

Close-up of ribbon-like graphic design

Join us on Wednesday, April 10, 2024

See what’s new at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event

Redefine what’s possible with AI 

Join Microsoft product leaders and engineers on April 10, 2024, for an in-depth look at the latest AI features and capabilities in Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. You’ll learn how advances in AI and Microsoft Copilot can help you connect teams, processes, and data, and respond to changing business needs with greater agility—and see how organizations across several industries already take advantage of the newest AI features to streamline business processes and accelerate low-code development.  

Register now to see key presentations from Microsoft leaders, including:  

  • Business Applications Launch Event—2024 release wave 1. Charles Lamanna, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Business Applications and Platforms, will provide opening remarks and shed light on the strategy and vision behind new Copilot and core platform capabilities in 2024 release wave 1. 
  • Amplifying contact centers and field service operations with AI. Jeff Comstock, Corporate Vice President, Dynamics 365 Customer Service, will share how Copilot is transforming the customer service landscape, boosting efficiency, reducing training costs, and ultimately delivering exceptional experiences for agents, frontline workers, and customers.  
  • Streamline sales and marketing with Copilot. Lori Lamkin, Corporate Vice President, Dynamics 365 Sales and Marketing, will discuss how sellers can close more deals by optimizing sales and marketing strategies and increasing productivity. 

That’s just a small sample of what we’ve got planned. You’ll also hear directly from other Microsoft leaders about their vision for AI, customer service, and operations, and get timely tips on how to use these new technologies to take on your business’ toughest challenges. If you have questions about new AI features, how Copilot experiences work, or what’s new in low-code tools, take advantage of the live Q&A chat with Microsoft experts throughout the event. 

Explore new AI features and capabilities for Dynamics 365 

We’re excited to share the latest AI features for Dynamics 365 spanning across end-to-end customer experiences, sales, finance, supply chain, commerce, and other areas. Here are just a few of the new features in 2024 release wave 1: 

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales features include recommended content for documents, insights from past successful deals, and summaries of account details—including customer buying behavior, recent activity, and more.   
  • Microsoft Copilot for Sales helps teams deliver more seamless experiences within Microsoft Teams and Outlook. New features include suggested updates to customer relationship management (CRMs) systems as sellers work and suggested responses based on customer questions across platforms. 
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights empowers every organization to unify and enhance customer data, using it for insightful analysis and intelligent actions. New features now make it easier and faster to ingest and manage data, while AI enables quick insights and easier access to analytics. 
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance includes more autonomous finance features, building intelligence, automation, and analytics around every business process. This release adds AI-powered experiences to ease setup of financial dimension defaulting. 

See what AI can do for you  

Microsoft customers are already doing amazing things with the new AI features in Dynamics 365, and we can’t wait to inspire you with their stories. Register now and join us to see what’s new in the 2024 release wave 1.   

Microsoft Business Applications launch event  

Wednesday, April 10, 2024  

9:00–10:30 AM Pacific Time (UTC-7)

The post Explore the next wave of AI innovation at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Professional Journal PDF to Word to PowerPoint – HLS Copilot Snacks

Professional Journal PDF to Word to PowerPoint – HLS Copilot Snacks

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Copilot snacks3.pngHLS Copilot Snacks are the perfect way to learn how to use Copilot to boost your productivity and reduce your workload.


In this snackable you will learn how to quickly take a professional journal publication in PDF format and convert it to Microsoft Word where you can use Copilot to query and summarize the contents. Then you will learn how to turn that professional journal publication and leverage Copilot to create a PowerPoint presentation in order to present its contents to colleagues and staff.


To see all HLS Copilot Snacks video click here.


Resources:



Have questions you would like to have us address in a snackable? Let us know! 


Thanks for visiting – Michael Gannotti LinkedIn 


me.jpg


 

Announcing API Management and API Center Community Live Stream on Wednesday, March 27th

Announcing API Management and API Center Community Live Stream on Wednesday, March 27th

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

We’re thrilled to announce our first community stand-up – a live stream event tailored for users of Azure API Management and API Center. Join us for an engaging session where we’ll delve into the latest trends in the industry, product updates, and best practices.


 


Event Details


Date: Wednesday, 27 March 2024


Time: 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST


Format: Live stream on YouTube


 


What to Expect



  • Insights into the API industry: Our product team will share their perspectives on the latest trends in the API industry.

  • Azure API Management and API Center updates: Discover the latest features and updates to our services. Learn how these advancements can benefit your organization and enhance your API management practices.

  • Guest session – “Designing an active-active global API platform” by Stephane Eyskens: Hear from Stephane how he architected and chaos-tested a resilient API management platform.

  • Interactive Q&A session: Do you have a burning question about our products or are you looking to provide feedback? This is your chance! Join our live Q&A session to get answers directly from our team.

  • Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow API management practitioners in the chat, exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s experiences.


 


How to Join


Simply tune into our live stream in the Microsoft Azure Developers channel on YouTube at the scheduled date and time. You can select the “Notify me” button to receive a reminder before the event starts.


budzynski_0-1711146133160.png


 


 


Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to engage with our product team and fellow API Management and API Center users. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you there!

MVP Drive Success at Microsoft AI Tour in SF and NYC

MVP Drive Success at Microsoft AI Tour in SF and NYC

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

The Microsoft AI Tour in San Francisco and New York brought together developers, MVPs, and other technology enthusiasts to learn about the latest AI technologies and tools from Microsoft.  


 


At these Microsoft AI Tour stops, MVP volunteer staffers were a driving force behind the event’s success, using their passion for technology and AI to engage with the community and share their knowledge and expertise. Fueled by their unrelenting passion for technology and AI, MVP staff were an integral part of Microsoft’s groundbreaking journey into the AI era. MVP Staffers were ravenous to learn about the latest AI technologies and tools from Microsoft, such as Microsoft Fabric and Copilot. They saw the event as an irresistible opportunity to engage with the AI community, share their knowledge, and make new connections. MVP Staffers also relished interacting with the attendees, answering technical questions, and discussing attendees’ challenges and visions for the future of AI. MVP volunteer staffers were grateful for the chance to contribute to something larger than themselves and felt valued for their tireless efforts. They were determined to make a positive impact, help the attendees learn about the responsible use of AI, and bridge the gap between complex tech and easy and engaging tools.  MVPs were also inspired by hearing Satya’s visionary talk about the roadmap and commitment for AI. Data Platform MVP and San Francisco Connection Hub Volunteer Armando Lacerda stated, “As a Microsoft MVP, I had the opportunity to share the latest updates on Microsoft’s AI tools with attendees at the tour. Seeing their excitement as they discovered the potential of these user-friendly tools was priceless and made the experience worth attending.” 


 


Leveraging their expertise and passion, MVP volunteers also proctored workshops on cutting-edge tools like Microsoft Fabric and Copilot Studio, guiding attendees through hands-on lab exercises, answering their questions, and showcasing the features and benefits of these revolutionary tools. As Business Applications MVP and New York Workshop Proctor Azure McFarlane stated “Given it was an event open to the public, there were people from all backgrounds – tech and non-tech alike – people are genuinely excited about how they can gain more AI skills to use in daily life. It feels great to be able to help people navigate new tools.”  


 


At the Connection Hub, MVP volunteers staffed the topic-specific booths, introducing attendees to the vast array of AI technologies and tools from Microsoft and explaining how the tools can be applied in different scenarios and sectors to transform the way we work and live. Connection Hub staffers also highlighted the wealth of online learning resources available from Microsoft, such as Microsoft Learn, and guided attendees on how to access and use these resources to gain more AI skills and knowledge, empowering them to take their first steps into the exciting world of AI. 


 


Though overall a positive experience, MVP staffers at the Microsoft AI Tour encountered several challenges in these early tour stops. Some staffers felt that a briefing with the Microsoft Product team for Fabric and Copilot in advance of the event would have been immensely helpful in better equipping them for attendee questions. Several MVPs who proctored the workshops on Microsoft Fabric and Copilot Studio encountered difficulties in addressing the diverse queries of the attendees, who had varied backgrounds and levels of technical expertise. MVP staffers also felt that the workshops would have benefited from more proctors, and that the attendees were not clear on what the end result would be. Developer Technologies MVP and Connection Hub New York Volunteer Jose Columbie stated “One of the main challenges I faced was the diversity of the attendees’ backgrounds and levels of technical expertise. Tailoring explanations and demonstrations to suit different audiences, from AI novices to seasoned professionals proved to be difficult.” 


 















RochelleSonny_0-1710961681644.png

 


 


RochelleSonny_1-1710961681647.png

 


 


RochelleSonny_2-1710961681649.png

 


 



 


Pictured above: MVP staffer Veronika Kolesnikova 


 



Pictured above: MVP staffer Em D’Arcy 



Pictured above: MVP staffer Amy Dolzine  



 


MVP volunteers enjoyed spending time networking and connecting with others in the AI community. M365 MVP and New York Workshop Proctor Abhijeet Jadhav stated “The Microsoft AI Tour was well-planned and provided opportunities for engagement. I felt a sense of purpose in contributing to something larger and valued for their efforts. In terms of the entire event, it was very well planned and executed. There were ample opportunities provided to connect and engage with other participants.” 


 


Despite facing some challenges, MVP staff had a positive experience and were eager to continue their journey with Microsoft into the AI era. You too can attend the upcoming Microsoft AI Tour events to discover the latest AI technologies and tools from Microsoft. Be sure to visit the event’s Microsoft Learn page , where you can participate in the Microsoft AI Tour Cloud Skills Challenge and gain more AI skills and knowledge. Take advantage of these opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills in the exciting world of AI. 

Introducing Surface Pro 10 & Surface Laptop 6: AI PCs built for business

Introducing Surface Pro 10 & Surface Laptop 6: AI PCs built for business

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

For over a decade, Microsoft has embarked on a mission to bring together our sophisticated software capabilities with innovative hardware solutions. We’ve collaborated with businesses, IT professionals, end users and executives at different levels in various industries across the world to refine our portfolio and deliver powerful tools and experiences that help people be more productive.


 


Today, we’re introducing our latest devices, built exclusively for business, the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6. We designed these products from the ground up with direct input from our business customers, incorporating requested features ranging from enhanced connectivity options to advanced security and performance capabilities. These are our first AI PCs powered by the newest Intel Core Ultra processors, with a brand-new CPU and GPU, as well as an integrated neural processing unit – or NPU – for efficiently delivering AI acceleration. Engineered to work seamlessly with Copilot and Windows 11 Pro, Surface Pro 10 when paired with the new Surface Pro Keyboard and Surface Laptop 6 introduce a dedicated Copilot key1 that makes accessing generative AI experiences a click away.


 


To further empower our IT pros and admins, we’re also announcing updates to our Surface Management Portal, a new Surface IT Toolkit app that brings together our important IT tools, and more. Let’s take a look.




 


Designed with zero-trust, from chip to cloud


The new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 have Zero Trust security built-in from chip to cloud. As Secured-core PCs, they use the best from Windows 11 Pro and advanced hardware features to help protect the device, your identity and data. Core to our design, we use built-in capabilities across hardware, firmware, and software – deployed and managed by cloud tools like Microsoft Intune2 to enable class-leading protection while removing complexity.


 


To further enhance our hardware security options, Surface Pro 10 now includes near field communication (NFC) to facilitate secure, multi-factor authentication. Additionally, select models of the Surface Laptop 6 offer optional integrated smart card readers.3 Both devices also come with Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security, which adds an extra layer of protection by using specialized hardware and software to isolate and safeguard authentication data and ensure its secure transmission.


 


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Figure 1. NFC-based authentication with NFC and optional smart card reader on Surface Laptop 6


 


Versatile to get work done anywhere


The new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 offer the flexibility to work from anywhere. Both devices come with our industry-leading 3:2 display combined with the PixelSense™ touchscreen giving more room for work to thrive with the intuitiveness of touch. Color remains vivid, indoors and out, thanks to anti-reflective technology that reduces reflection by up to 50%. Keep an eye out for a deep dive into this technology in a future blog.


 


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Figure 2. Surface Pro 10 with anti-reflective technology


 


When it comes time to connect and collaborate, Surface Pro 10 features a Surface Studio Camera with a 114-degree ultrawide field of view, while the Laptop 6 comes with a 1080p Surface Studio Camera. Both devices use AI-accelerated Windows Studio Effects, like background blur and automatic framing, to help you stay front and center in your meetings.


 


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Figure 3. Inking with Surface Slim Pen on the Surface Pro 10


 


High-quality Studio Mics with Voice Focus and Omnisonic® speakers elevate the audio experience along with AI-enhanced dictation in Microsoft 365 apps. Need to take notes, whiteboard an idea with a colleague, or sketch a draft of your next project? The Surface Slim Pen4 offers a natural and fluid writing experience, akin to using pen on paper.


 


Empower your workforce with unparalleled flexibility through 5G on the Surface Pro 10 —coming later this year.5 From coffee shop calls to on-site proposals, the Surface Pro 10 effortlessly meets your dynamic work demands.


 


Access to Copilot, at your fingertips


A standout upgrade in Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 is the Copilot key, 1 which gives you quick access to Copilot in Windows, so you can work smarter, be more productive, and boost your creativity. Copilot in Windows serves as an AI assistant for everyday tasks, streamlining your workflow with personalized support, contextual assistance, insights, and suggestions. Surface lets you engage with Copilot in ways that are natural and intuitive through keyboard, pen, touch, and voice. This allows you to stay in your flow and maintain focus on the task at hand.


 


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Figure 4. New Copilot available on Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10


 


Intel Core Ultra processors enable powerful performance and new AI experiences


The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are among the first commercial devices to deliver the all-new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. Unleash productivity thanks to a new architecture that delivers superior power-efficient performance for various, complex business workloads by sending the right task to the right engine at the right time. Intel Core Ultra processors are purpose-built for the next era of AI software, balancing AI workloads across CPU, GPU, and their latest Intel AI Boost NPU or neural processing unit.


 


These new processors deliver impressive results, with up to 1.5 times faster graphics performance and up to 21% faster multitasking on Surface Pro 10 with Intel Core Ultra 76 compared to the Surface Pro 9. Surface Laptop 6, now with an Intel Core Ultra H processor and up to 64 GB of RAM, is more powerful than the Surface Laptop 5, delivering up to 2x more graphics performance7 and the ability to run professional apps up to 40% faster.


 


Microsoft has collaborated with Intel to ensure that Intel Core Ultra processors deliver powerful and reliable performance and AI experiences for Surface and the Windows ecosystem. In addition to the Microsoft-developed Windows Studio Effects, this optimization and reliability provides an ideal platform for you to explore other AI tools and build your own AI-accelerated innovations.


Accessing Windows 365 Cloud PCs is now easier than ever


Another way the new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 can help you be more productive is by providing easy access to your Windows 365 Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, and more courtesy of the pre-installed Windows App. This enables you to use multiple accounts and easily switch between them, all in one app. Windows 365 securely streams your personalized Windows experience with access to all your apps, data, settings, and content from anywhere, on any device.


 


With the Windows App preinstalled on Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10, it’s easier than ever to deploy Cloud PCs to your team and easily enable Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch out of the box. Combine Windows 365 Boot with NFC on Surface Pro 10, and you can enable shared device scenarios, switching between users with a simple log-out, tap-in experience. Surface also provides optimal meeting experiences and superb offline alternatives. Read more about the latest Windows and Windows 365 announcements in this Windows Experiences Blog.


 


Enhancing IT administration with new and updated Surface tools for scalable management


If you are an IT professional or a business decision maker, you will appreciate the powerful management controls that Surface devices have built into Microsoft Intune, the cloud-based service that lets you manage and secure your devices, apps, and data. With Intune admin center, not only can you configure and deploy your devices, but you gain access to the Surface Management Portal.


 


Part of our Surface Management and Support Suite, this powerful portal provides a custom experience to manage your Surface devices at scale, with new, rich device insights views, details for warranty coverage and active support cases, a new repair and service order experience, and more. Looking to learn more about the carbon emissions of your Surface fleet? The Carbon Emissions Estimator tool included in the Surface Management Portal helps you estimate the carbon impact of your devices.


 


For organizations not yet utilizing Intune, the Microsoft 365 admin center offers a comparable management solution through the Surface Support Portal. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog detailing the latest updates to the Surface Management and Support Suite.


 


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Figure 5. Updates and enhancements coming to the Surface Management Portal



To complement your cloud and traditional management needs, we’ve also developed the new Surface IT Toolkit, which provides a consolidated console for configuration and technician tools, including Device Recovery for USB-based re-imaging, UEFI configuration for hardware settings, Data Eraser for information compliance, and more.


 


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Figure 6. All new Surface IT Toolkit


 


The app provides IT pros and admins with simplified, guided experiences to help you configure, update, or troubleshoot your devices. Not only does it provide a centralized location, the Surface IT Toolkit also ensures you are using the latest versions of our tools and installers. You don’t need to worry about outdated or incompatible versions, the app automatically checks for updates and downloads them for you.


We’ll provide more details in an upcoming blog when the Surface IT Toolkit is released.


 


New repairability experience


This generation of commercial devices marks a significant improvement in repairability.8 Visual guidelines help you easily identify how many and what type of fasteners are needed for replaceable components. By scanning available QR codes on parts inside each device, you are linked to a detailed online service guide. In combination with our tools, warranty and coverage options, these advancements in repair simplification are helping us deliver experiences essential for helping your business thrive with Surface.


 


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Figure 7. Surface Pro 10 (left) and Surface Laptop 6 are more repairable


 


Microsoft Adaptive Accessories now available for businesses


Today, we’re also announcing the coming availability of the Microsoft Adaptive Accessories to commercial customers in select markets. Highly adaptable and accessible by design, explore these easy-to-use accessories that let you customize your own mouse, keyboard inputs, and shortcuts in ways that work best for you. With Microsoft Adaptive Accessories, one size fits one — you — and empowers you to increase productivity and use your favorite apps more effectively. For a set up that is truly unique to you, discover a selection of additional designs that you can 3D print through Shapeways. 9 10 To learn more about our available accessible accessories, head to Microsoft Accessible Accessories. 


 


Pre-order the new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for business today


Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are built for business and optimized for Microsoft productivity experiences with quick access to your everyday AI companion, Microsoft Copilot. They’re versatile, powerful, secure, and easy to manage and service. They’re also designed to work seamlessly with Windows 365 Cloud PCs, giving you the flexibility to access your personalized Windows experience from the cloud. We will be detailing some of these announcements in upcoming blogs and technical deep dives, so be sure to subscribe.


You can pre-order Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 in select markets today and they will start shipping to customers on April 9th. Connect with your preferred authorized Surface commercial reseller and learn more by heading to surface.com/business or head to the Microsoft Store:



 


Check out other blogs from Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, and Windows detailing the exciting announcements from today:



 


References


1. Copilot in Windows (in preview) is available in select global markets and will be rolled out to additional markets over time. Learn more. Copilot with commercial data protection is available at no additional cost for users with an Entra ID with an enabled, eligible Microsoft 365 license. When Copilot in Windows is not enabled on the device, pressing the Copilot key will launch Windows Search. See aaka.ms/WindowsAIFeatures. 


2. Requires license or subscription (sold separately) to activate and use.


3. Integrated smart card reader available only on Surface Laptop 6 in Black in one of these configurations: 15″ 5/16/512, 7/16/256, 7/16/512, 7/32/512 and only in US and Canada.


4. Sold Separately.


5. Surface Pro 10 with 5G will be available later in 2024 and not available in all areas. eSIM and 5G support are also not available in all areas; compatibility and performance depend on carrier network, plan and other factors. See carrier for details and pricing.


6. Based on 3D Mark TimeSpy benchmark measuring graphic performance compared to Surface Pro 9 (Intel).


7. Based on 3DMark TimeSpy benchmark measuring graphic performance compared to Surface Laptop 5. Measured on Surface Briggs with Intel® Core™ Ultra 7.


8. Replacement components available through Surface Commercial authorized device resellers. Components can be replaced on-site by a skilled technician following Microsoft’s Service Guide. Microsoft tools (sold separately) may also be required. Availability of replacement components and service options may vary by product, market and over time. See Surface service options – Surface | Microsoft Learn. Opening and/or repairing your device can present electric shock, fire and personal injury risks and other hazards. Use caution if undertaking do-it-yourself repairs. Unless required by law, device damage caused during repair will not be covered under Microsoft’s Hardware Warranty or protection plans.


9. 3D print services provided and warrantied exclusively by Shapeways, Inc. subject to Shapeways Sales Terms and Conditions and Warranty at: https://aka.ms/ShapewaysTermsConditions. Microsoft is not responsible for their performance or compliance with applicable regulatory, compliance, safety or any other requirements.


10. Available 3D designs from Shapeways may vary from image shown and over time. See Get Started with 3D Printing for the latest offerings.

AI-powered collaboration with Microsoft Teams

Advancing the new era of work with Copilot, Windows, and Surface

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

At a digital event for commercial customers and partners, we shared an update on how we’re empowering organizations to advance in the new era of work with Microsoft Copilot, Windows, and two new Surface devices that will start to become available in April.   

The post Advancing the new era of work with Copilot, Windows, and Surface appeared first on Microsoft 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.