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Microsoft Product Releases: Recent Windows 10

November 16, 2017Newsupdate, Windows 10SystemsNet Administrator

Microsoft Product Releases: Windows 10 Update To Be Released On October 17th

Windows 10 recently released providing new features to operating system

Microsoft has been testing the Windows 10 Fall Creators update for nearly the entire year. The tests made by Microsoft are going to result in many changes, including the addition of new features and capabilities. One of the biggest additions will be the introduction of virtual reality headsets. Microsoft will introduce headsets from big names like HP, Dell, and Lenovo.

There were some additional features that were going to be introduced for the Fall Creators Update, but Microsoft decided to wait until 2018 to introduce some of those features. We want to unveil some of the features that you can expect to see after the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is released.

The Action Center

One of the first changes you will probably notice will occur in the notification center. The notification center, or Action Center, has a new design. Your applications will be placed in a different section. You should be able to group your notifications in a more organized way.

Pinning Your Favorite Websites

Do you have a list of favorite websites that you would love to pin to your Windows taskbar? Well, after the update, you will be able to do so. If Microsoft Edge is your favorite browser, you will love the fact that your pinned websites will automatically open in Microsoft Edge. You will also enjoy seeing improved animations in your Microsoft Edge browser tabs.

Cortana

You will also notice some changes to Cortana. Cortana’s digital assistant will now be able to remind you of your events by using images that can be scanned. You will be asked to give the digital assistant permission to prompt for these reminders by using the images. If you have an image of a flyer for an event, Cortana will scan that flyer and use it to remind you of that event.

Privacy

Microsoft will now allow you to have access to the entire privacy statement. We understand that many people may not always read the entire privacy statement, although it is important to do so. You will discover that Microsoft will have more sections that will allow you to have a better understanding of the entire privacy statement without spending an hour reading the entire privacy statement. You will also be prompted for permission to have access to your contacts, your calendar, your camera, etc.

Addition Of The Stylus

Microsoft has given the Microsoft stylus support a rebuild. Microsoft’s handwriting panel will include the following:

The addition of emojis
Improved editing
The addition of more gestures
Improved handwriting recognition

If you write with a pen, the words you write will automatically be converted. The words you write will also be shifted so you will not have to stop writing. If you need to make corrections to a text, you will be able to select the text you want to edit. You will also have the ability to join text, cross out text, or split things up just by using the gestures.

Emojis

Everyone likes to use emojis, right? Emojis are fun to use, and emojis can be a simple way to respond to a comment or message. Microsoft has made it easy for you to insert an emoji into one of your emails or one of your social media statuses or messages. You will be able to use a keyboard shortcut to bring up your emoji panel. Once your emoji panel shows up, you will be able to choose the best emoji that you think is appropriate for the message or content.

Do you think you are going to like the new updates to Windows 10? For more information on the Windows 10 Fall Creators update and other Microsoft product releases, contact us today.

Microsoft Product Releases: Microsoft Windows Server 2016

September 7, 2017NewsMicrosoft, Server Upgrade, Windows Server, windows server 2003 end of life, Windows Server 2016SystemsNet Administrator

The next generation of windows server is more robust with features than its predecessors

When it comes to Microsoft Product Releases, we can’t stress enough how Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is vital to a successful IT team. We can give you seven reasons why your team needs it. So, without further delay, read on:

Windows Server 2016 has multiple layers of security built-in to the operating system. This new security system helps block attacks against your data and applications that run on-premises and in the Cloud, as well as attacks against virtual machines. Several isolation and threat detection features activate as soon as Windows Server 2016 launches.

You can also activate other security features after server deployment:

switch on protection against malware/ransomware injection into server
block compromises to credentials, such as pass-the-hash attacks, using Credential Guard and Remote Credential Guard
pro-actively identify behavior indicating potential server breaches
expand security protection to include virtual machines, using Shielded Virtual Machines encrypted by Bitlocker. Bitlocker is full disc encryption that protects the hard drive from offline attacks, first introduced in Windows 2007, and now applied to virtual machines.

Credential Guard/Remote Credential Guard. Microsoft first introduced this security feature in Windows 10 Enterprise. The protection uses virtualization security techniques that wall off cryptic information like credentials and put the cloaked information where only a set of privileged software has access. Even malware running within the operating system cannot break into the credentials. Credential Guard protects NTLM (NT Lan Manager) password hashes and Kerberos Ticket Granting Tickets as well as other credentials that applications store for their domains.

Shielded Virtual Machines. Microsoft introduced this security feature in Windows 2016. Shielded Virtual Machines protect Microsoft’s Hyper-V Generation 2 virtual machines from malicious attacks. Shielded VMs do not boot from a traditional BIOS system. Instead, they boot from something called a virtual Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Technology companies, 140 of them including Microsoft, developed UEFI to replace BIOS.

Shielded Virtual Machines work their security magic thanks to Secure Boot and Bitlocker encryption that resides inside the virtual disks. Bitlocker protects data whether it’s in transit or not moving. Secure Boot is a PC industry standard that checks the boot loader to make sure it only uses software trusted by the PC manufacturer.

Device Guard. This security feature make sure that only trusted software runs on your server — whether your applications run in-house or in the Cloud. It is security software and Enterprise hardware that together lock a device down to only run trusted software that you define in your code policies.

Control Flow Guard. This security feature developed to prevent vulnerabilities that result in memory corruption. One of its strengths is that it severely restricts from where code executes which means that hackers cannot take advantage of buffer overflows or other vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.

Windows Defender. This feature is an anti-malware protection for the server, not the operating system.

Microsoft Focuses on Hybrid Cloud. The new Windows Server 2016 is an example of Microsoft’s emphasis on Hybrid Cloud. The company is betting that certain Enterprise organizations will always want to transfer some of their data and work spaces to the Cloud while maintaining other parts of their data/applications on the in-house server. Microsoft designed Windows Server 2016 to facilitate organizations who want to take advantage of the Hybrid Cloud.

Have the most knowledgeable IT team. Windows Server 2016 is much more powerful than previous servers. To get the most out of Windows Server 2016, it makes sense to have highly trained IT personnel who have the skills necessary to run the server and all of its security features.

To talk more about this topic, or about anything else, please contact us. We want to help you with all your IT questions.

Microsoft Product Releases: Microsoft 365 And Azure Stack

August 31, 2017NewsOffice 365, Office 365 benefits, why choose Office 365SystemsNet Administrator

Office 365 options available for your convenience

Microsoft made a major announcement on, July 10, 2017. Microsoft is introduced Microsoft 365, which is an improved way for businesses like yours to purchase Windows and Office as a combined product, and not separately. Microsoft has made Windows 10 and Office 365 available to every business in a variety of ways, but the software Microsoft 365 Enterprise is a combination of Windows 10 Enterprise and Office 365 Enterprise. The software also includes Enterprise Mobility+Security.

Microsoft 365 Business is also being offered, and this software will make its debut as a preview in August. Microsoft 365 Business will include Office 365 Business Premium, and businesses will get the necessary management features and security features it needs. While the debut is set for August, the release is set to occur in the fall. For the businesses that want to purchase Microsoft Business 365, they can expect to pay $20 each month, and this cost is per user.

Businesses that want to purchase Microsoft 365 Enterprise will find it available a day before the Microsoft 365 Business makes its public debut. There is not set price on Microsoft 365 Enterprise because it will be dependent on a variety of things, including the plan that you choose.

Microsoft 365 may be familiar to the businesses that have used Secure Productive Enterprise, but Microsoft 365 focuses more on all companies. Microsoft 365 will be available in two forms: Microsoft 365 Business will be geared towards businesses that are small or medium-sized. Microsoft 365 Enterprise will be geared towards businesses that are larger.

If you want to use Microsoft 365 at its basic level, Microsoft 365 will combine everything Microsoft has to offer a business. Microsoft 365 is a response to the businesses that needed a fuller approach to productivity, and at a secure level. Businesses no longer have to look at everything separately. Managing a device, managing security features, and managing Office applications no longer have to be seen as separate problems.

Microsoft 365 is not only a more affordable alternative for your business, but it makes complete sense for your business. You want to create a workplace that can successfully combine its applications, devices, and security features. Microsoft 365 will be the tool that will give you the ability to do this.

Azure Stack

On July 10 Microsoft stated that the businesses that want to deploy their cloud computing technology to their data centers have the ability to make the order. However, although the orders can be placed, they will actually not get anything until sometime in September, maybe.

Microsoft stated that Azure Stack would be available to businesses in the mid part of 2017. Microsoft stated that the Azure Stack software would come with equipment from three companies, Lenovo, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard Enterprises. When we think about the middle of the year, we typically think of June or July, right? Well, customers can place their software orders in July, but they will not be able to run the software until months later.

Azure Stack is an essential part of Microsoft’s plan to take action against Amazon Web Services. Amazon Web Services, as you are probably already aware, is a profitable form of public cloud computing. In this setup, the software and data of its customers are deployed to data centers that Amazon operates. So, Azure Stack presents a very interesting alternative.

Microsoft has stated that businesses that want to use the cloud and still run software and data on the inside will still have this option. On the other hand, Amazon Web Services is set on making sure all the data operations are run by their services, and nothing else. We were expecting Azure Stack to be introduced last year, but Microsoft went in another direction and that date was moved to this year.

Microsoft has been very busy this year, and we do not expect them to slow down. Contact us today for additional information on Microsoft 365 and Azure Stack.

Microsoft Dynamic 365 Components Expected To Launch In Mid-2017

August 3, 2017NewsBusiness edition of Dynamics 365, Cortana with Dynamics 365, Dynamics 365, Dynamics 365 applications, Dynamics 365 Marketing, Dynamics 365 New Launch, Enterprise edition of Dynamics 365SystemsNet Administrator

Excited for the next release of Microsoft Dynamics 365!

Last year, Microsoft significantly changes their portfolio by introducing Dynamics 365. Dynamic 365 integrated the critical ERP and CRM functions of the original products into a complete package. Dynamics 365 consists of several applications, including customer services, finance, sales, etc.

If your business consists of 250 employees and more, the Enterprise edition of Dynamics 365 would be a perfect match for your business. If you have a smaller business that consists of less than 250 employees, the Business edition of Dynamics 365 would work best for your business.

There are also a variety of options when it comes to licensing your software, which will mean every business will have the ability to adjust the software to fit the specific needs of their business.

Dynamics 365 was placed on the market for purchase in November 2016, but it did not include some critical components. Microsoft plans to release additional components and developments in the mid part of this year. We are going to take a look at some of the great developments that you will see in Dynamics 365 this year.

Using Cortana

Many people are very skeptical of using the voice functionality tool, Cortana. There is also skepticism about using Cortana with Dynamics 365. Can a voice functionality tool actually be useful in a workplace setting? What can a voice interface actually offer employees in an office that is probably already crowded or noisy?

Well, we have found that a voice interface tool can actually provide a significant amount of help to employees, especially when you need to multitask. When Cortana is integrated with Dynamics 365, you will be able to use the feature when you are traveling.

Cortana can be fully integrated into Dynamics 365 for your Sales department. Cortana already has exceptional features and components, so can you imagine how easier it will be for you to multitask, organize, and prepare when you are working on a sales project? Your sales teams will always need something that will make their jobs a little easier, and the functionalities of Cortana will certainly give them the peace of mind they need when they are working.

Chat Features

Three years ago, Microsoft obtained a portal platform, Parature. Microsoft obtained this platform with the hopes of improving the functionality of Dynamic CRM, as well as to eventually add web chat features. Unfortunately, Parature was placed to the side after Microsoft acquired ADX Studio. Since Parature was not integrated into Dynamics 365, this means Dynamics 365 is still operating without a web chat solution.

Chat features are certainly important when it comes to multitasking, improving teamwork, and improving the overall operations of a department. Since there have not been any functionalities to perform a web chat, it definitely seems likely that Dynamics 365 will add a web chat solution soon.

Marketing Plus Adobe Equals A Great Partnership

Adobe Marketing has turned into the perfect solution for Dynamics 365 Marketing. What does this mean for your organization? It means that you can expect to see Dynamics 365 use Adobe Marketing Cloud as a marketing solution. If your business has access to Dynamics 365 for Sales, you will be able to fully integrate Adobe Marketing Cloud. The Adobe Marketing Cloud includes a variety of functionalities, including the ability to manage web content and email marketing.

You can expect to see a variety of added features in Dynamics 365. 2016 was certainly a great year for 2016, and no one could have made any predictions about what Dynamics 365 would bring to business. It certainly seems that Dynamics 365 is putting a bigger focus on mobility. We expect to see Microsoft deliver more components and applications that will allow businesses like yours to focus on improving their entire business operations.

For additional information on Dynamics 365 and other Microsoft product releases, contact us today.