Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

Welcome to Episode 396 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben walks Scott through a ransomware attack on an on-premises VMware environment. As they discuss the attack and the results of it, they also talk through some lessons and considerations that could have helped mitigate such an attack. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes How Long Does It Take for a Hacker to Crack a Password? Default Accounts in VMware vSphere How To Prevent Ransomware Attackers From Taking Over Your ESXi 8.0 Hosts Zero-Day Security Bug Likely Fueling Fortinet Firewall Attacks What is the 3-2-1 backup rule? Ransomware Payment: What Happens if You Pay the Ransom? About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 395 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and how it enables organizations to deliver secure, scalable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in the cloud. Whether you’re looking to modernize remote work, enhance security, or optimize IT costs, AVD provides a flexible solution for accessing virtualized Windows desktops and applications from anywhere.Topics covered include: What is Azure Virtual Desktop? A breakdown of AVD’s features, benefits, and common use cases. Deployment essentials – Setting up host pools, session hosts, and assigning users. Configuration best practices – Managing user profiles with FSLogix and securing AVD with Microsoft Intune. Cost estimation – Key factors affecting pricing and how to optimize expenses. Getting started – Steps to connect via the Remote Desktop client on multiple platforms. Whether you’re an IT admin or just exploring VDI in Azure, this episode is packed with insights to help you get started. Tune in and take your remote desktop strategy to the next level! Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Azure Virtual Desktop documentation Understand and estimate costs for Azure Virtual Desktop Azure Virtual Desktop Azure Virtual Desktop documentation for users Get started with the Remote Desktop client FSLogix for user profiles Managing with Intune Manage the operation system of sessions hosts (with Intune) About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 394 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore everything you need to know to get your Microsoft 365 tenant ready for Copilot. From licensing requirements to deployment best practices, we break down the steps to ensure a seamless setup.Key topics include: Understanding Copilot licensing, including E3, E5, and Business Premium options. Ensuring compatibility with Microsoft 365 Apps, OneDrive, Teams, and Outlook. Exploring Copilot’s data protection and auditing architecture to safeguard sensitive information and prevent oversharing. Integrating SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM), now included with Copilot, to enhance collaboration and control. Leveraging Microsoft’s Copilot Control System for managing prompts, sensitivity labels, and security posture. We also cover the newly announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat initiative and the evolving role of AI-driven collaboration tools in business workflows. Whether you’re an IT admin or a decision-maker, this episode provides the insights you need to deploy Copilot successfully and harness its full potential.Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to preparing your organization for the future of AI-powered productivity! Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Copilot for all: Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E3 + SAM licenses Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E5 + SAM licenses Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint Get ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint Advanced Management Copilot Control System explained AI security posture management Microsoft 365 Copilot data protection and auditing architecture Address oversharing concerns in Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment blueprint About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 393 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben is joined on the show by Alex Mooney from Logitech. The two of them discuss the integration of technology into meetings. They start out discussion AI for transcribing in-person meetings, highlighting some of their benefits and then shift into discussion various meeting room systems for Microsoft Teams. They discuss some of the offerings from Logitech including the Rally Bar Huddle, Rally Bar Mini, and Rally Bar and how they are certified for both Android and Windows to work in different scenarios for building out your Microsoft Teams Room system. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Microsoft Teams Room Microsoft Teams Room Documentation Plan Microsoft Teams Rooms Microsoft Teams Room Devices Logitech Conference Room Systems Request Logitech Demo About Alex With a leadership role at Logitech, Alex has had the exciting opportunity to shape the future of digital workspaces. He's directed major collaborations, including the impactful partnership between Logitech and Microsoft that's driving billions in revenue. These aren't just business deals, they're transformations—helping companies worldwide navigate the ever-changing terrain of technology. Creating and implementing innovative solutions is part of Alex's DNA. Project Ghost, an immersive video conferencing experience, is just one of the many successful initiatives that he's been proud to lead. He's often invited to share my insights on industry trends and strategies at key events and in publications. It's a role he relishes — helping others grasp the opportunities that this rapid era of technological change brings. His focus is always forward, on the potential of what can be achieved together in the fields of collaboration and efficiency. Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexm00ney/ About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 392 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben interviews AvePoint CTO John Peluso. Listen in as they discuss Copilot in Microsoft 365 and how to govern and gain insights on your Copilot usage in your organization. Copilot in Microsoft 365 is becoming a critical tool to supporting modern work. As Microsoft continues to iterate and improve on Microsoft Copilot, partners such as AvePoint help to augment the administration and analytics of Copilot adoption in your organization. While Copilot enables your workforce with the tools to their jobs, Microsoft and AvePoint also provide the tools for administrators to empower their workforce quickly in a safe way. Another part of the puzzle of administering Copilot is how do you measure AI adoption in your organization, benchmark your organization against similar organizations, and understand the activity levels and adoption of Copilot? Listen in to hear about how AI tools like Copilot and AI in general can be governed in Microsoft 365 and how you can gain insights into how to approach analyzing Copilot adoption in your organization. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes AvePoint Introduces First-to-Market Benchmarking Data for Microsoft 365 Copilot IT Strategies for Copilot Administration Ignite 2024 - What's new for Microsoft 365 and Copilot admins Ignite 2024: Why nearly 70% of the Fortune 500 now use Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft Ignite 2024: Top Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 391 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Scott sits down with Kamal Srinivasan from Parallels to talk how you can think about delivering applications and desktops to your users in post-Citrix world. As the traditional “Citrix” model faces disruption, we explore how remote work, hybrid scenarios, and cloud-based computing are redefining how organizations deliver applications and desktops to end users. Key topics include: The shift away from static, on-prem desktops to dynamic, cloud-based compute. How to optimize app delivery by building on top of Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) platform. Bridging the gap between legacy systems and cloud-based solutions, enabling businesses to roll out remote desktop solutions like AVD and Parallels RAS gradually while scaling down on-prem infrastructure. The changing role of IT admins in supporting a workforce that operates anywhere, anytime. Listen in and learn how your organization can streamline operations and empower your workforce with flexible, efficient application and desktop delivery. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Parallels Parallels RAS Parallels RAS Resources Parallels Secure Workspace Enhance your Azure Virtual Desktop experience with Parallels RAS Windows 365 Link Episode 390: Microsoft Ignite 2024: Windows 365 Link About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 390 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast, live from Microsoft Ignite 2024! In this episode Ben sits down for a chat with Melissa Grant, head of product marketing for Windows 11 Enterprise, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop at Microsoft. Melissa discusses her tenure at Microsoft and the evolution of cloud-based Windows offerings, starting with the launch of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) five years ago and transitioning into Windows 365. They also discuss Windows 365 Link, Microsoft’s new dedicated endpoint device, designed for seamless, secure connections Windows 365 Cloud PCs. This device reduces the need for extensive IT management and resources by simplifying deployment process, and providing security benefits based on feedback from some of Microsoft’s customers. Melissa Grant Melissa Grant leads product marketing for Windows Enterprise, Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop within Microsoft Modern Work. She and her team are dedicated to delivering secure, productive and efficient commercial solutions so customers can do their best work with Windows. - Melissa on LinkedIn   Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Windows in the Cloud leadership spotlight: Melissa Grant, Windows Marketing Windows 365 Link—the first Cloud PC device for Windows 365 Windows 365 Link Preview Demo: Introducing Windows 365 Link Windows 365 Link Documentation What is Windows 365 Link? About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 389 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this special episode, we recap the game-changing announcements from Microsoft Ignite, Microsoft’s premier conference unveiling innovations across Microsoft 365 and Azure.We explore advancements in Agentic AI and multi-modal models that seamlessly accept and produce text, voice, and graphics. Discover how Copilot is evolving with features like reasoning over on-screen content (coming to Teams in CY25) and enhanced capabilities in tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel—bringing automated summaries, dynamic graphics, and effortless data analysis to the forefront. Learn how Copilot Pages enable collaborative editing, while Copilot Extensibility and Agents allow businesses to create customized AI-powered helpers with ease. Imagine every SharePoint site having a built-in agent by default, making tasks more intuitive than ever. We also cover new updates in edge AI—a “distributed computing fabric” blending Azure Local bare-metal solutions and Windows 365 Link thin clients. Innovations in AI-ready silicon underpin these transformative changes. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Microsoft Ignite 2024 Book of News Introducing Copilot Actions, new agents, and tools to empower IT teams Redefine development: AI-first innovation with agents and Microsoft Copilot in Power Platform What’s new in Microsoft 365 Copilot in PowerPoint at Ignite 2024 Copilot in Excel: Transforming Data Analysis What’s new and coming to Microsoft Outlook – Ignite 2024 Microsoft Ignite 2024 | Microsoft 365 Copilot Innovation in Your Go-To Apps Ignite 2024 - What's new for Microsoft 365 and Copilot admins Introducing Copilot Analytics to measure AI impact on your business New Copilot Prompt Gallery helps you discover, save, and share your favorite prompts Introducing the AI-Powered Workplace: Technology solutions for flexible work About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 388 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Azure Bicep, Microsoft’s streamlined language for defining cloud infrastructure. If you’re new to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) or looking to simplify your Azure deployments, listen in to learn how easy it is to get started with Azure Bicep. We walk through the essentials, from setting up the necessary tools such as Visual Studio Code and the Azure Bicep extension, to exploring the intuitive features that make Bicep so powerful. Discover how Bicep’s functions, objects, and simplified syntax improve your workflow, offering a more readable and maintainable alternative to traditional ARM templates. Whether you’re an Azure admin or a developer, this episode provides a clear path to building and managing Azure resources effectively with Bicep. Tune in and start coding your infrastructure with confidence! Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Microsoft Ignite What is Bicep? Bicep functions Quickstart: Create Bicep files with Visual Studio Code Azure/azure-quickstart-templates ˚Decompiling ARM template JSON to Bicep Learn modules for Bicep About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 387 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Scott and Ben dive into a discussion around Ben's newly purchased Surface Pro 11th Edition - a Copilot Plus PC running on an ARM processor. Ben gives his takes on the state of the hardware and how Windows 11 runs on a native ARM processor. Scott also gives his experience running Windows 11 daily for work on Parallels Desktop on Apple Silicon. Scott's hot take - virtualizing Windows 11 on a Mac is better than running it on native hardware. Listen in as Ben and Scott talk through Windows on ARM, whether a virtual machine might be best for you to try out Windows on ARM, pitfalls of application compatibility, and when you might just want to consider a remote desktop session instead to get your Windows work done from a Mac. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Meet the Surface Pro 11th Edition Microsoft announces Copilot Plus PCs with built-in AI hardware The Ultimate Solution: Windows 11 in a virtual machine + Parallels Desktop + Mac Computers with Apple silicon Azure Cobalt 100-based Virtual Machines are now generally available Unified inbox in Outlook for Mac MMR Call Redirection for Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 now available How emulation works on Arm Exploring Windows on ARM: The Future of Computing About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!