Exchange Server Roadmap Update Just Released !

Microsoft Exchange Team published a new update today on the Exchange Server Roadmap, this brings the update on the last CU For Exchange Server 2019 and availability of the Exchange vNext aka Exchange Server Subscription Edition (Exchange Server SE) in 2025.

As of today most larger Organizations follow the Hybrid Exchange deployment Model, and keeping the On-Premises Exchange Server under the supported version becomes essential to stay supported, and if you are still on Legacy Exchange Versions, its time to upgrade your environment to supported 2019 version and plan for the vNext upgrade accordingly.

You can view the below table specified in the blog post for the update path based on your current environment.

Exchange Server Subscription Edition follows the new modern Lifecycle Policy and more details are available in the blog post.

Access here to know more: Exchange Server Roadmap Update

Microsoft Purview AI Hub available in Public Preview !

Microsoft team announced the Public Preview of Microsoft Purview hub, your one stop solution to mitigate and manage the risks associated with AI usage, and implement corresponding protection and governance controls. You can use AI hub in conjunction with other Microsoft Purview capabilities to strengthen your data security and compliance for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365.

For Organizations adopting AI, including Microsoft Copilot products, having the right level of data governance becomes essential including proper classification of data, control how data is being labelled to protect sensitive data,  how data is being shared inside and outside the Organization etc. and Purview hub gets these requirements addressed efficiently as outlined by Microsoft. As the product is in preview we can expect few changes and updates as we move forward until it becomes GA.

More information is available in the Tech Community post here: Secure your data to confidently take advantage of Generative AI with Microsoft Purview

MS Learn articles 

Microsoft Purview data security and compliance protections for generative AI apps

Considerations for Microsoft Purview AI Hub and data security and compliance protections for Microsoft Copilot

Another great post on Securing your Organizational AI journey: Secure your AI transformation with Microsoft Security

Microsoft Learn Challenge: Build Edition Registration Open!

Microsoft Build 2024 event is all set to start on May 21 2024 until May 23 2024, being the most vital Microsoft developer event of the year, We are awaiting for great announcements in the AI Space and latest innovations from Microsoft.

You can register for both Offline and Online here: https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/home

As a part of the Build event Registration is now open for the upcoming Microsoft Learn Challenge starts on May 21 and this time is more focused on Latest  advanced AI Technologies with top 5 Curated topics and you will earn a digital badge for completing the challenge under your MS Learn profile.

Register here: Microsoft Learn Challenge: Build Edition

Follow @msdev handle for more updates 

Microsoft 365 - How Microsoft 365 Delivers Trustworthy AI WhitePaper

In today's world Data Privacy and Information Security are more crucial than ever and with the current innovations like Artificial Intelligence evolving at rapid pace, guidelines on how to use these systems, governance of data which these system interact and its impact on Humanity needs to be validated and regulations needs to be implied, and the latest hot topic on one such regulation is the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act.

Microsoft being one of the key AI Players in the world, they are aligning their systems using their Responsible AI Principles to adhere to all the guidelines and regulations defined by the regulatory authorities around the world.

You can read more about the Principles here: Responsible and trusted AI

This post covers one of the key AI innovation from Microsoft, Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, which is now being widely adopted by all major Organizations across the globe, making it compliant for the AI Regulations are essential and Microsoft team has continuously invested their time and attention on this space and aligned the product to meet these crucial requirements.

You can review the below post to understand how Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 interact with your data and how its compliant for regulations like GDPR: Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365

Read the WhitePaper from Microsoft to understand how they deliver Trustworthy AI for Microsoft 365 specific to Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Download from Service Trust Portal here: Microsoft 365 - How Microsoft 365 Delivers Trustworthy AI (2024-02)

Review related Blog post here: How Microsoft 365 Delivers Trustworthy AI

Also read Responsible AI FAQ on Microsoft Copilot for Security

Let's Learn Microsoft Copilot Studio !

Microsoft Copilot Studio Enables organizations to extend Microsoft copilots or build your own. The studio combines LLMs and generative AI with the efficiency of an intuitive copilot development studio.

Access Copilot Studio here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/microsoft-copilot-studio

Access the Official documentation here: Microsoft Copilot Studio documentation

Microsoft Learn resources available here: Create copilots with Microsoft Copilot Studio

You can access the Implementation guide here: New Microsoft Copilot Studio implementation guide

This blog covers more insights and resources on Copilot Studio : Building your own copilot with Copilot Studio

You can get all updates and learning via the below Youtube series on Copilot Studio presented by Dewain Robinson MSFT.

Watch here: Copilot Studio - How To Series

You can read this post to understand where Copilot Studio fits in the Copilot Eco System: Adopt, extend and build Copilot experiences across the Microsoft Cloud

For more deep dive understanding of Copilots and how to create Custom Copilots watch this MS Ignite 2023 session

Watch here: Adopting Extending and Building Your Own Copilots | BRK401

Another Great read: Build, buy, or both? How to choose the right approach for your AI transformation

Stay tuned for more updates.

Let's Learn Microsoft Copilot for Security !

Microsoft Copilot for Security is currently revolutionizing the Security Space, with the advance AI capabilities inbuilt it enhances the power of Microsoft Security products to deliver efficiently to protect the security boundary of the Organization against the  modern Cyber Threats today.

Microsoft Copilot for Security went GA this April 2024 and available for global customers, more details can be found in the below blog post 

Microsoft Copilot for Security is now Generally Available 

To understand more about Microsoft Copilot for Security Microsoft team has put forth a great list of essential resources where you can learn on the product as well as get guidance to implement the same within your Organization.

If you are new to Cyber Security space begin here: Cybersecurity for Beginners – a curriculum

Start your learning from here: What is Microsoft Copilot for Security?

Official Microsoft Learn learning path : Get started with Microsoft Copilot for Security

To support your Microsoft Copilot for Security Technical journey and latest updates you can access this essential Partner Learning resource: Copilot for Security Technical Journey & Resources

For more advanced topics you can refer the Microsoft Copilot For Security Community

Attend the upcoming Microsoft Virtual Ninja Show Session to Start your Journey: Getting started with Copilot for Security

Access this Post to know how to become a Microsoft Copilot for Security Ninja: How to Become a Microsoft Copilot for Security Ninja: The Complete Level 400 Training

Access the Official Tech Community blog and stay updated: Microsoft Copilot for Security Blog 

To know more on other Microsoft Security products and learning you can refer the Microsoft Security Academy

Let's Learn AI with Microsoft !

In today's IT world filled with AI Innovations, Organizations are aligning their Roadmap with the latest technology enhancements powered by AI technologies, and to aid this transformation journey, multiple learning opportunities are being provided to their employees and also lot of great learning resources available globally on the internet from all major players of AI.

Following resource is from Microsoft, on their Microsoft Learn platform where they have published great resources for everyone to know more on the AI Technologies and curated learning resources that will provide you more step by step learning and deep dive on AI, with Role based approach and also prepare you to get certified on their AI technology.

Download the e-book here: Accelerate AI transformation with skill building

Access related blog post here: Transform your business with AI skill building on Microsoft Learn

Start your AI Learning here: AI learning hub

Start AI Learning for your Organization here: Microsoft Learn for Organizations

Access here to know more on Plans on Microsoft learn: Introducing Plans on Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams Premium better together !

Organizations who are adopting Microsoft Teams premium and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 can take great advantage of the AI capabilities when using both products together.

As Microsoft teams being one of the major productivity tool we use in our day to day life, and when you implement Microsoft teams premium you get the benefit of having enhanced capabilities, and Questions where raised to understand what role will Microsoft Copilot for M365 will play as its also available in the Microsoft Teams ecosystem.

Above pictures from Microsoft provides you what features each product will carry and what benefit you would get when you combine them both, and the below latest video explains this clearly showcasing the enhanced benefits you would get when you combine and utilize both the products.

Access the video here: Microsoft Copilot for M365 and Teams Premium work better together

MS Learn - Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Courses

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now being widely adopted by various Major Organizations and Microsoft is actively expanding the innovations in this space and you also have various extensibility options through which you can take the Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 experience beyond M365 Ecosystem.

If you are on the Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 learning journey Microsoft team has published few new courses that would help you to understand the product better, and help you to implement the same in your organization.

Best Resource to start is the Microsoft Adoption site: https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/

Below are the courses that would help you to master Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365.

• Course MS-4004--A: Empower your workforce with Copilot for Microsoft 365 Use Cases
• Course MS-4005---A: Craft effective prompts for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365
• Course MS-4006-A: Copilot for Microsoft 365 for Administrators
• Course MS-4007-A: Copilot for Microsoft 365 User Enablement Specialist

You can also access the on demand Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Tech Accelerator sessions to understand more on the product.

Access the upcoming Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Events and @MSFTCopilot handle to stay updated.

Microsoft Modern Collaboration Architecture (MOCA)

Microsoft has diversified products when it comes to Collaboration and Productivity, and we could see new products being launched very often in this space and there is alway a  dilemma in understanding which tool to use when, and in today's Modern world with various types of work cultures and organizational structure utilizing the right tool is essential for work efficiency and to enhance productivity. 

Microsoft team has designed Modern Collaboration Architecture (MOCA) to address the aforesaid challenge and provide guidance on how the Collaboration products of Microsoft 365 suite are aligned and when to use which tool for efficient Personal productivity and Organizational productivity.

With the latest advancement of new Tools like Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Loop etc. Microsoft team has updated the MOCA guidance to include these tools and you have dedicated guidance available for Larger Enterprise Organization and Small Business Organization.

Access the Official MOCA site to know more: Modern Collaboration Architecture (MOCA)

Microsoft Applied Skills credentials !

Microsoft Applied Skills Credentials complement your Microsoft learning Journey and Certification, Microsoft changed their Certification towards role based approach covering broader skills on the technology specific to the Job role, but with the latest advancement of Technical innovations in today's world Learning specific skill based technology on demand to solve specific scenario becomes essential and Microsoft Applied Skills credentials bridge this gap.

You can get more updates here: Announcing Microsoft Applied Skills, the new credentials to verify in-demand technical skills

Latest blog post here: Real skills for real-time results with Microsoft Applied Skills credentials

More courses are to be added and you can choose from the available courses and achieve your credentials.

Access Microsoft Community Learning to stay updated.

New EXO Update - Exchange Online to introduce External Recipient Rate Limit

Microsoft Exchange team has announced that beginning in January 2025, Exchange Online will begin enforcing an external recipient rate limit of 2,000 recipients in 24 hours. 

This External Recipient Rate limit changes will imply in 2 phases as below,

• Phase 1 - Starting Jan 1, 2025, the limit will apply to cloud-hosted mailboxes of all newly created tenants. 
• Phase 2 - Between July and December 2025, we will start applying the limit to cloud-hosted mailboxes of existing tenants.

Organizations who are sending bulk External emails via Exchange Online should be aware about this upcoming changes and Microsoft team recommends to use Azure Communication Services Email Service solution for the same.

Access here to know more: Exchange Online to introduce External Recipient Rate Limit

You can access the below articles for information on Azure Communication Services Email Service and Azure Communication Services Email's SMTP as a Service.

Overview of Azure Communication Services email

Email SMTP support in Azure Communication Services

Also review the new service announced Public preview of High Volume Email (HVE) for Microsoft 365, which will aid Organizations to send bulk emails internally beyond the Exchange online limits.

More details available here: Public Preview: High Volume Email for Microsoft 365

Follow Exchange Team Blog Techcommunity Space for more updates.

Deprecation of Azure AD PowerShell and MSOnline PowerShell modules

Microsoft has finally deprecated Azure AD PowerShell and MSOnline PowerShell modules this March 2024, Microsoft has provided heads up Quite sometime before this move and guidances are available how to smoothly transition from the deprecated modules to the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK.

More updates are available here: Important update: Deprecation of Azure AD PowerShell and MSOnline PowerShell modules