Collaborate with confidence: Introducing Show Changes for Excel on the Web

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Technology

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

We’re excited to announce a new feature in Excel for the web called Show Changes.  Show Changes in Excel revolutionizes the collaboration experience for one main reason: if you pour days and detail into the perfect Excel workbook, you may hesitate before sharing editing permissions with others.  And you can’t have collaboration without sharing.  Now, with Show Changes, you have the “safety net” of knowing that any changes done by others are being tracked for the entire workbook down to a single cell.   



 



 


The Show Changes feature enables you to collaborate confidently with others by letting you see exactly what edits were made to your workbooks up to 60 days. You can see details about who changed what, where, and when, along with the previous value of the cell for quick reversion, if needed.   


 



 


So if someone accidentally overwrites your formula, you can easily catch it and fix it.  You can even see bulk edits – edits made to a whole row or range of cells at the same time – within a card in the Show Changes pane. 


 


You can also narrow down the list of changes.  If you want to see changes made JUST to a specific sheet, or range, or even an individual cell, you can select the area you want to investigate.  Then, just right-click and you’ll see the Show Changes option there.   


 



 


You can get started with Show Changes in Excel for the web today by accessing your Microsoft 365 subscription using your favorite operating system and device. With support for Windows, Mac, iPads and iPhones, and Android phones and tablets, you can be assured that all of your team’s changes will be tracked. So why not take the leap and go for it? Share those workbooks and try out Show Changes in Excel for the web today.


 


Have feedback on Show Changes?  Send us a smile or frown.  Also, subscribe to our Excel Blog to get the latest product updates and announcements, and join our Excel Community to stay connected with us and other Excel fans around the world.


 

Azure Marketplace new offers – Volume 134

Azure Marketplace new offers – Volume 134

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Technology

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











We continue to expand the Azure Marketplace ecosystem. For this volume, 79 new offers successfully met the onboarding criteria and went live. See details of the new offers below:







































































































































































































































































































































Applications
Adaptiv Hybrid Cloud.png

Adaptiv Hybrid Cloud: FIS Adaptiv Analytics accelerates complex calculations, measuring credit exposure to all counterparties in minutes and allowing you monitor credit exposure across trading and revalue the entire derivatives book as often as necessary.
Advana No-Code Data Engineering and Data Science.png

Advana: No-Code Data Engineering and Data Science: Advana is a comprehensive data management and analytics suite that harnesses the power of multiple compute technologies in one integrated environment. Advana’s web-based, code-free environment enables business and IT teams to collaborate and codevelop data analytics solutions.
Agile HR Analytics.png

Agile HR Analytics: Built on Microsoft Azure and Power BI, Agile HR Analytics is an end-to-end analytics and reporting solution that helps organizations discover useful HR insights for strategic decision-making. Empower HR professionals to make data-driven decisions to attract, manage, and retain employees.
Aiven for Apache Kafka.png

Aiven for Apache Kafka: Aiven for Apache Kafka is a cloud-native, full-featured managed Kafka solution. Launch a fully operational Kafka cluster in the Microsoft Azure region of your choice and integrate it with Aiven’s other services to create a truly open-source data pipeline.
Amdocs Integration Platform as a Service.png

Amdocs Integration Platform as a Service: Amdocs Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) is a modular on-premises, cloud, and on-premises hybrid integration service that enables users to connect and integrate any endpoint seamlessly and efficiently, while reducing integration costs.
Amdocs NFV SD-WAN Package.png

Amdocs NFV SD-WAN Package: Amdocs’ NFV SD-WAN package is a pre-integrated solution enabling CSPs to deliver managed SD-WAN and value-added network services with the benefits of network functions virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networks, public cloud scalability, and service automation.
Answers on Azure.png

Answers on Azure: Answers on Microsoft Azure is a smart virtual assistant for customer service. Significantly reduce customer support costs while increasing customer satisfaction with an AI-powered chatbot that recognizes customer intent and instantly provides information on any channel.
Automatic Business Modeler.png

Automatic Business Modeler: Automatic Business Modeler (ABM) builds predictive models that forecast the behavior of your clients. ABM does not require programming skills or advanced statistical knowledge of model construction, and it quickly predicts whether a client will churn, buy your product, pay a loan, and more.
Beacon Tower.png

Beacon Tower: Built on Microsoft Azure for scalability and flexibility, Beacon Tower is an industrial IoT edge and cloud platform that connects sensors, devices, PLC, DCS, SCADA, ERP, and MES to deliver maximum automation flexibility and ​prevent vendor lock-in.
BUI Managed Azure vWAN using VMware SD-WAN.png

BUI Managed Azure vWAN using VMware SD-WAN: BUI Managed Azure vWAN with VMware SD-WAN offers a modern networking solution that is easy to deploy, use, and manage. It offers high availability, integrated security, enterprise-grade performance, and automatic scaling to maximize the value of moving to Microsoft Azure.
CentralVision by REDHOUSE.png

CentralVision by REDHOUSE: CentralVision by REDHOUSE uses end-to-end Microsoft Azure technologies to build innovative learning management solutions across the globe, focusing on delivering high-quality, personalized learning content for midsize and large educational institutions.
CloudClarity - Manage your Azure Tags at Scale.png

CloudClarity – Manage your Azure Tags at Scale: Cubesys CloudClarity helps you take control of your Microsoft Azure environment by managing tags at scale. The solution enables you to check tag health, visualize tag consistency across management groups and subscriptions, and more.
Conversations on Azure.png

Conversations on Azure: Conversations on Microsoft Azure is a cloud contact center solution that enables you to engage in conversations with your customers across an array of industry-standard channels. Easy to scale, fast to onboard, and simple to use, Conversations unifies communications to boost customer experience.
CREST SyncData.png

CREST SyncData: Effective data management contributes significantly to the success of your business. CREST SyncData automatically synchronizes your data in real time across various systems, whether the data is stored locally or in the cloud.
Debble Workspace.png

Debble Workspace: Debble Workplace is a social intranet utilizing the power of Microsoft 365 in a comprehensive communication and collaboration solution that forms the central point of your digital workplace.
Distributr.png

Distributr: Distributr on Microsoft Azure helps distributors keep track of their sales values with extensive order-taking, order-processing, selling, and delivery features. Distributr boosts overall efficiency and stock management with end-to-end monitoring.
Dynamics 365 SmartWorkFlow.png

Dynamics 365 SmartWorkFlow: The SmartWorkFlow add-on for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance enables you to transfer vendor invoice data from external sources to Dynamics 365. Boost your approval processes with SmartWorkFlow from senergy services.
Empirix KLERITY Service Assurance for 5G.png

Empirix KLERITY Service Assurance for 5G: Empirix KLERITY’s cloud-native monitoring and service assurance capabilities support a broad range of hybrid networks and use cases and are available as a subscription-based model that provides up to a 40% reduction in TCO versus traditional assurance systems.
Envision EnOS Smart Energy Solutions.png

Envision EnOS Smart Energy Solutions: Envision Smart Energy Solutions on Microsoft Azure provide everything your organization needs to transform to net zero. Leverage remote fleet monitoring, performance analysis, predictive maintenance, and more.
Global Address Complete.png

Global Address Complete: Service Objects’ Global Address Complete provides real-time address type-ahead suggestions, including apartments and suites, for 250 countries. Global Address Complete features address-validation capabilities to ensure addresses are accurate and deliverable.
GlobalLogic Data Platform.png

GlobalLogic Data Platform: GlobalLogic Data Platform enables organizations to quickly gather data from across the enterprise; transform/enrich it; and make it available to analysts, data scientists, and partners to extract value and insights.
Hosted Tanium Platform.png

Hosted Tanium Platform: Tanium managed by PointWire is a Microsoft Azure-hosted endpoint management system that can discover, assess, and eliminate risks. Tanium supports most workstation and server operating systems, including Windows Server, MacOS, Linux, Solaris, and AIX.
HPC Cluster Pack 2019.png

HPC Cluster Pack 2019: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of Microsoft HPC Cluster Pack 2019 on Windows Server 2016. Create and manage HPC clusters with Windows or Linux compute nodes, part-time servers, workstation computers, and dedicated or on-demand resources on Microsoft Azure.
HPC Pack 2019.png

HPC Pack 2019: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of Microsoft HPC Pack 2019 on Windows Server 2019. Create and manage HPC clusters consisting of Windows or Linux compute nodes, part-time servers, workstation computers, and dedicated or on-demand compute resources on Microsoft Azure.
Incident Reporting App.png

Incident Reporting App: Monitor, detect, classify, and visualize incidents across your organization with this Microsoft Power BI-based incident reporting application. The solution monitors all incidents, including planned incidents such as changeovers and maintenance.
IQ - Smart Data Platform.png

IQ – Smart Data Platform: Wortell’s Smart Data Platform on Microsoft Azure helps your organization make smart use of its growing data silos. Smart Data Platform scales on demand and features a fully automated rollout.
KBMax CPQ Solutions.png

KBMax CPQ Solutions: Deliver exceptional buying experiences and simplify manufacturing with KBMax’s easy-to-use CPQ software. KBMax CPQ connects with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and handles complex business rules, provides 2D and 3D visualizations, and features real-time pricing, CAD automation, and more.
LOAMICS AlgoEngine.png

LOAMICS AlgoEngine: Connect, process, and analyze data from disparate sources in real time to generate actionable insights across your organization with LOAMICS AlgoEngine on Microsoft Azure.
LOAMICS DataCollect.png

LOAMICS DataCollect: Connect, process, and analyze data from disparate sources in real time to generate actionable insights across your organization with LOAMICS DataCollect on Microsoft Azure.
LOAMICS DataLake.png

LOAMICS DataLake: Connect, process, and analyze data from disparate sources in real time to generate actionable insights across your organization with LOAMICS DataLake on Microsoft Azure.
MediaKind PRISMA.png

MediaKind PRISMA: Designed for content owners, programmers, and TV service providers, PRISMA provides a flexible interface to provision content restrictions and ad schedules. PRISMA overlays your video head-end to enable a variety of applications, including blackouts and linear ad replacement.
MicSap.png

MicSap: Build a bridge between SAP and the rest of your technological environment with Alexsys Solutions’ MicSap certified connectors for SAP ERP. MicSap automates data flows and real-time updates, enabling you to achieve integration on time and on budget.
Mobile Command & Control Critical Connectivity.png

Mobile Command & Control Critical Connectivity: Dejero delivers always-on mission-critical connectivity by aggregating diverse connectivity paths, including commercial LTE, FirstNet, satellite, and broadband, to provide first responders with exceptional reliability and interoperability.
Moments on Azure.png

Moments on Azure: Ensure your customer engagement campaigns get the reach, relevance, and response they deserve with Moments on Microsoft Azure. Understand who your audience is, how they have engaged with you in the past, and what they are interested in now.
MySQL Server and phpMyadmin.png

MySQL Server: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of MySQL Server Community Edition with the full LAMP stack (Apache Web Server, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin) on Ubuntu Server 20.04. MySQL provides a suite of tools for developing and managing MySQL-based applications on Ubuntu Server.
MySQL Server.png

MySQL Server and phpMyadmin: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of MySQL Server Community Edition with the full LAMP stack (Apache Web Server, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin) on CentOS 8.3. MySQL provides a suite of tools for developing and managing MySQL-based applications on CentOS Server.
Novorender.png

Novorender: The Novorender cloud enables your engineering teams to share their advanced 3D models with employees, customers, and business partners regardless of 3D format and file size. Dramatically increase the value of your existing 3D models during the development of large projects.
Ombori Grid SaaS.png

Ombori Grid SaaS: Ombori Grid is a SaaS platform for digital experiences in physical spaces. The solution uses Microsoft Azure IoT to manage devices and provides ready-to-use solutions for in-store digital screens and mobile devices.
Omnitracks Service Cloud.png

OMNITRACKS Service Cloud: Designed for small and midsize IT help desk teams and other service departments, OMNITRACKS offers an all-in-one ticketing system solution based on the ITIL 4 framework. Create a service-oriented organization and keep track of all your requests, service providers, and customers.
Powell Intranet.png

Powell Intranet: Seamlessly integrated with Microsoft 365, Powell Intranet is an out-of-the-box intranet solution designed to drive communication and collaboration across your organization while boosting Microsoft 365 adoption and usage
RxGov.png

RxGov: Powered by Microsoft Azure, RxGov is a prescription drug monitoring platform featuring a variety of benefits, including end-to-end data transparency for healthcare officials, pharmacies, government, and law enforcement; a unique patient-matching algorithm; and integration with electronic health records.
SADI.png

SADI: Improve the process of data recognition, extraction, and integration with SADI (Smart Automation & Documents Integration) from Alexsys Solutions. SADI recognizes relevant data in PDFs or scanned documents and converts it into a structured format.
Shireburn Indigo.png

Shireburn Indigo: Shireburn Software’s Indigo Suite is a cloud-based people management platform for managing payroll, HR, leave, attendance, and more. Indigo Suite automates processes and provides you with the tools to better manage your entire workflow.
SmartBag.png

SmartBag: SmartBag is a comprehensive baggage reconciliation system for airports, airlines, and baggage handlers. It provides bag room and ramp staff with tools for tracking baggage, reducing mishandled and delayed bags, and improving overall bag room performance.
SMTP Server Solution.png

SMTP Server Solution: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of hMail Server on Windows Server 2019. hMail Server is an open-source mail server that supports common email protocols (IMAP, SMTP, and POP3) and can easily be used with many web mail systems.
SMTP WebMail Server.png

SMTP WebMail Server: Cloud Infrastructure Services offers this preconfigured image of hMail Server on Windows Server 2016. hMail Server is an open-source mail server that supports common email protocols (IMAP, SMTP, and POP3) and can easily be used with many web mail systems.
SoftEther VPN on Windows Server 2019.png

SoftEther VPN on Windows Server 2019: This preconfigured image from Virtual Pulse provides SoftEther VPN on Windows Server 2019. SoftEther VPN is an excellent solution for creating a stable and secure VPN server on Microsoft Azure.
Windows Server 2016 with Advanced Filezilla FTP.png

Windows Server 2016 with Advanced FileZilla FTP: Virtual Pulse offers this preconfigured image of Windows Server 2016 with Advanced FileZilla FTP, a powerful file transfer, storage, and access solution that enables you to upload and download files, transfer files between servers and desktops, and connect to multiple computers across the internet.
Windows Server 2016 with MailEnable IMAP SMTP POP3.png

Windows Server 2016 with MailEnable IMAP SMTP POP3: This preconfigured image from Virtual Pulse provides Windows Server 2016 with MailEnable Standard. MailEnable is a Windows-based commercial email server that supports IMAP, POP3, and SMTP email protocols with SSL/TLS, list server, antivirus, and webmail functionality.
Windows Server 2019 with Advanced Filezilla FTP.png

Windows Server 2019 with Advanced FileZilla FTP: Virtual Pulse offers this preconfigured image of Windows Server 2019 with Advanced FileZilla FTP, a powerful file transfer, storage, and access solution that enables you to upload and download files, transfer files between servers and desktops, and connect to multiple computers across the internet.
Windows Server 2019 with MailEnable IMAP SMTP POP3.png

Windows Server 2019 with MailEnable IMAP SMTP POP3: This preconfigured image from Virtual Pulse provides Windows Server 2019 with MailEnable Standard. MailEnable is a Windows-based commercial email server that supports IMAP, POP3, and SMTP email protocols with SSL/TLS, list server, antivirus, and webmail functionality.

Consulting services
Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud - Azure Hosted Proof of Concept.png

Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud – Azure Hosted Proof of Concept: Modernize, monitor, and scale your backups with Wicresoft’s Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud proof of concept. Protect your organization’s workloads and applications with a solution that meets the current and future needs of your business.
AlternIT One Lighthouse.png

AlternIT One Lighthouse: AlternIt One’s managed service for Microsoft Azure onboards your organization to the Azure Lighthouse environment and grants the AlternIt One IT team delegated access to provide seamless management of your Azure resources.
Application Modernization 2-Week Assessment.png

Application Modernization: 2-Week Assessment: Metsys will analyze your environment and build a roadmap for modernizing existing applications to Microsoft Azure. Deliverables include an application evaluation report and a modernization plan for selected applications. This offer is available only in French.
Azure Energize 1-Month Proof of Concept.png

Azure Energize: 1-Month Proof of Concept: Interlink Cloud Advisors’ Azure Energize proof of concept is designed to help you learn where and how Microsoft Azure fits into your organization. This engagement includes Azure deployment planning and services provisioning.
Azure Landing Zone 5-Day Implementation.png

Azure Landing Zone: 5-Day Implementation: Rapidly take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing with risual’s Microsoft Azure landing zone implementation. risual will help your organization establish a production-ready presence in the cloud that is aligned to Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure.
Azure Out of the Box 4-Week Implementation.png

Azure Out of the Box: 4-Week Implementation: Start moving your workloads to Microsoft Azure in less than four weeks with Wortell’s Azure Out-of-the Box implementation. Wortell will create a secure and compliant Azure landing zone based on Microsoft best practices.
Azure QuickStart 1-Week Assessment.png

Azure QuickStart: 1-Week Assessment: QuantiQ’s Microsoft Azure QuickStart assessment includes a comprehensive review of your existing Azure environment aligned with standards and best practices defined by the Center for Internet Security and the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure.
Azure Security Strategy & Assessment Briefing.png

Azure Security Strategy & Assessment Briefing: This free security strategy and assessment briefing from risual helps clients gain a broader, deeper understanding of their Microsoft Azure environment, providing insights that empower security teams to protect against and prevent evolving cybersecurity threats.
Blue Print RPA 2-Week Assessment.png

Blue Print RPA: 2-Week Assessment: Available only in Portuguese, Blueshift Brasil’s Blue Print RPA assessment is designed to help your organization reduce operational expenses, mitigate errors, and leverage shorter delivery cycles using robotic process automation (RPA) on Microsoft Azure.
Cloud Excellence Center Azure Managed Services.png

Cloud Excellence Center: Azure Managed Services: Available only in French, Metsys’ Cloud Excellence Center service includes the management and maintenance of your services deployed on Microsoft Azure. Reduce and control your monthly management costs, increase operational efficiency, and more.
CMMC - Assessment & Remediation 8 Weeks.png

CMMC – Assessment & Remediation: 8 Weeks: American Technology Services provides assessment and remediation services to government contractors to help them reach the necessary level of compliance with NIST 800-171 and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) on Microsoft Azure.
Data Platform Compete 5-Day Proof of Concept.png

Data Platform Compete: 5-Day Proof of Concept: Kohera’s Data Platform Compete offering will show you how switching from your current database environment to Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Azure can benefit your organization. Deliverables include a feasibility assessment and a roadmap highlighting next steps.
ElysianIT Managed Service.png

ElysianIT Managed Service: ElysianIT’s managed services for Microsoft Azure serve as an extension of your organization’s IT team. Increase productivity, harden security, and reduce overall business costs with unlimited support, intelligent Azure monitoring, incident management, and more.
Go to AVS 5-Day Implementation.png

Go to AVS: 5-Day Implementation: Leverage the benefits of the cloud by migrating your VMware environment to Microsoft Azure in this five-day Azure VMware Solution (AVS) implementation from ALFUN. This offer is available only in French.
IBM Power - Azure Migration 5-Day Implementation.png

IBM Power – Azure Migration: 5-Day Implementation: Running IBM Power workloads on Skytap on Microsoft Azure offers many benefits, including improved performance, scalability, cost savings, and robust data backup and security. Meridian will help you understand your migration options and recommend the best approach to meet your business needs.
Landing Zone 10-Day Implementation.png

Landing Zone: 10-Day Implementation: Levio Tips will set up a Microsoft Azure landing zone aligned with best practices and tailored to your organization’s needs in this 10-day implementation. This offer is available only in French.
Leverage VDI and Apps with Windows Virtual Desktop 2-Week Implementation.png

Leverage VDI and Apps with Windows Virtual Desktop: 2-Week Implementation: Customize your Windows Virtual Desktop experience with delaware’s two-week deployment and implementation service. This offer includes the planning and design of your Windows Virtual Desktop environment, implementation, and transition services.
LTI RapidAdopt Cloud Assessment.png

LTI RapidAdopt: Cloud Assessment: Accelerate cloud adoption with LTI’s RapidAdopt cloud assessment. LTI will help you evaluate Microsoft Azure as part of your IT service delivery strategy, identify which applications can be moved to Azure, and define which target operating models, processes, and technologies are required.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR).png

Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Wortell’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provides 24×7 coverage to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats in your environment. Strengthen your security posture by extending Microsoft’s security solutions with Wortell’s MDR service.
Migrate to Azure Data Platform 5-Week Implementation.png

Migrate to Azure Data Platform: 5-Week Implementation: Extend the scope of your current data warehouse with Microsoft Azure in this five-week implementation from deleware. Deliverables include an assessment of your current BI solution, a migration strategy, and pilot implementation for one subject area.
Mission Critical Azure.png

Mission Critical Azure: Wortell’s managed service offering includes the management, monitoring, and deployment of IaaS and PaaS resources using infrastructure as code and templates. Ensure your Microsoft Azure environment stays secure and compliant with Wortell.
Modern Data Warehouse 5-Day Proof of Concept.png

Modern Data Warehouse: 5-Day Proof of Concept: Learn about the benefits of a modern data platform combined with a modern data warehouse in Kohera’s five-day proof of concept. Topics include how your organization can get the most from its data by implementing Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics.
Modernization-as-a-Service 4-6 Week Implementation Cycles.png

Modernization as a Service: 4-6 Week Implementation Cycles: Neudesic’s Modernization-as-a-Service offering is an extension of the Neudesic Migration Factory’s repeatable framework that accelerates the typical Microsoft Azure migration and modernization timetable, providing more value to organizations in less time.
Secure Collaboration.png

Secure Collaboration: POA Solutions will configure and deploy Microsoft Teams based on your business requirements. POA also provides adoption training to ensure every user in your organization is comfortable using Teams to its full potential.
Synapse Jumpstart Data Modernization 4-Week Proof of Concept.png

Synapse Jumpstart: Data Modernization: 4-Week Proof of Concept: Lixar IT’s data modernization proof of concept is a pilot analytics project designed to jump-start your data modernization journey. Using Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Purview, and Microsoft Power BI, Lixar IT will demonstrate how you can quickly turn your data into actionable insights.
Windows Virtual Desktop & VDI on Azure 10-Week Implementation.png

Windows Virtual Desktop & VDI on Azure: 10-Week Implementation: This 10-week Microsoft Azure services implementation will deploy Windows Virtual Desktop according to your business needs. This consulting service is available only in Japanese.
Windows Virtual Desktop 4-Week Proof of Concept.png

Windows Virtual Desktop: 4-Week Proof of Concept: PowerON’s Windows Virtual Desktop delivery services are designed to help you get the most value from your solution investments. PowerON provides support from concept inception to full deployment and management of Windows Virtual Desktop.
Windows Virtual Desktop Implementation.png

Windows Virtual Desktop: Implementation: Tietokeskus will implement Windows Virtual Desktop to help boost productivity and facilitate device flexibility across your organization. This offering includes planning, proof of concept, building, and testing a Windows Virtual Desktop deployment according to your requirements.

Skype for Business Online retires July 31, 2021 – here’s what to expect

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Technology

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

As we approach the retirement of Skype for Business Online, we want to take a moment to appreciate the efforts organizations are making to complete their transitions to Teams prior to July 31, 2021, as well as those who have already upgraded to Teams. Thank you! If you still have Skype for Business Online users, keep working your upgrade plan. Regardless of the technical and change management dynamics with your upgrade, you can accomplish so much over the next three months.


 


What to expect as Skype for Business Online retires?


Skype for Business Online will be fully functional through July 31, 2021 to allow customers time to transition users to Teams or to an instance of Skype for Business Server. Here are some other details you should know about the Skype for Business Online service retirement:



 


Microsoft-assisted upgrades to Teams


In coming weeks, we’ll begin scheduling Microsoft-assisted upgrades to Teams for Skype for Business Online customers with cloud-only or hybrid deployments. Assisted upgrades help with last-mile technical steps of the transition to Teams. Customers will be notified through the Teams admin center and the Microsoft 365 Message Center, 90 days prior to the scheduled date of their assisted upgrade. Customers tracking to complete their transitions to Teams Only prior to their scheduled automated upgrade date are encouraged to do so for better control over the timing of their upgrade experience.


 


The duration of each customer’s upgrade will vary by volume of users and characteristics of their deployment, but generally users within a tenant will be upgraded within 24 hours from the start of the upgrade. During this time, users will still be able to access Skype for Business Online. Once the upgrade has completed and users log out of Skype for Business Online, they will only be able to use Teams to initiate and receive messages and calls as well as to schedule and host meetings. These users will be able to join a Skype for Business meeting scheduled by a user on Skype for Business Server or in a federated organization.


 


When the assisted upgrade completes, the coexistence mode for upgraded users is set to Teams Only. Admins should review Teams Only mode considerations prior to upgrade. Learn more about Microsoft-assisted upgrades to Teams.


 


Teams upgrade resources


Whether you’re at the start of your upgrade journey or are wrapping up, these resources can help guide your organization through its transition to Teams:



 


Additional guidance for customers with hybrid configurations


In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more retirement guidance for Skype for Business customers with hybrid (server + online) configurations.


 


See you in Teams!

More and more people are #ProudToBeCertified with Microsoft

More and more people are #ProudToBeCertified with Microsoft

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Technology

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

The popular response to our call for stories at #ProudToBeCertified has been inspiring. Anyone who’s taken a certification exam knows that passing takes dedication and an intensive time commitment. That’s just one of the reasons why these personal stories are worth sharing. In the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting how Microsoft Certification has encouraged and empowered so many people around the world.


 


 


The perks of certification


When you expand and maintain your career by getting Microsoft-certified, the opportunities that become available are enough to make anyone proud. It increases confidence, income, professional credibility, and happiness. A study by Pearson VUE found that 67% of technical professionals say certification builds confidence; about 35% of technical professionals say getting certified led to salary or wage increases; and 41% said they’re happier in their jobs.1


 


Organizations also benefit from continuous learning. IDC has found that trained and certified teams responsible for core IT activities are almost 20% more productive than less proficient staff, with Microsoft-certified IT professionals performing 26% better across all roles than uncertified IT professionals with the same responsibilities.2


 


In other words, certification is a great investment in yourself, and in your team. It’s a game-changer. As Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer Heather Serverino said in her Proud to be Certified story, “I can’t imagine what my journey would have been like had I not started with that first Microsoft Certification.”


 


WWL_Blog_P2BC_Intro_InBlog_Quote_HeatherSeverino.png


 


Microsoft Certification benefits


When you, your team, and your organization maintain a culture that celebrates learning and achievement, everyone wins. Certification supports a forward-looking culture that values up-to-date knowledge and a constant striving for the next, most useful capabilities, not only as proof of skills and expertise, but with real benefits to individuals and companies.


 


Microsoft Certification helps you:



  • Get recognized. Build confidence and be recognized as a leader, unlock new opportunities, and share your credentials with your professional network.

  • Get ahead. Stay ahead of the curve, increase your productivity, and take your career to the next level.

  • Get hired. Certified technical skills help you prepare for job opportunities by proving to employers you have the skills they want.


 


Microsoft Certification helps your organization:



  • Increase performance. Certified employees are more productive, more efficient in their roles, and bring more creative solutions to complex technical problems.

  • Increase value. Organization’s benefits include improved productivity, faster troubleshooting, and fewer skills gaps.

  • Increase the talent pool. By simplifying talent identification and recruiting through certification you make your screening process easier.


 


WWL_Blog_P2BC_Intro_InBlog_Quote_AkahMandelaMunab.png


 


This is just the start


When you check out the #ProudToBeCertified videos and stories, you’ll see that certification is a continual and rewarding journey. You might even be surprised by the opportunities certification has provided for individuals around the world. IT Consultant, MVP, and Microsoft Certified Trainer Akah Mandela Munab said in his story that certifications “opened doors to a large community where I could share my ideas and help others on their Microsoft Certification path.”


 


This is the first in a series of posts where we’ll be sharing the personal stories, business benefits, and latest insights on creating and maintaining a personal attitude of continual learning. Plus, we’ll highlight how organizational culture encourages and supports the extra effort and time it takes for every team member to keep advancing.


 


Already certified? We want to hear from you – because we believe the more professionals who share their accomplishments, the more encouraged others will be to join Microsoft’s growing community dedicated to continuous improvement. You are our certification community. Now, it’s time to celebrate it.


 


Watch more #Proud to be Certified videos and submit your story as a video or post on Twitter, LinkedIn, or your preferred platform with #ProudToBeCertified.


 


Related posts:



 


 


1Pearson VUE, “2018 Value of IT Certification”


2IDC white paper sponsored by Microsoft, “Benefits of Role-based Certifications,” June 2020