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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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! -
Welcome to Episode 386 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore three powerful tools designed to improve automation, testing, and security in modern development and operations workflows: Maester, Pester, and SCUBA. Whether you’re a DevOps engineer, PowerShell enthusiast, or security professional, this episode is packed with valuable insights on how to streamline your processes and strengthen your infrastructure using these powerful tools. Tune in to level up your automation and security game!
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Maester
Installation guide
Maester Tests
Entra ID - Security Config Analyzer Tests
Writing custom tests
Pester
Use the What If tool to troubleshoot Conditional Access policies
Secure Cloud Business Applications (SCuBA) Project
https://github.com/cisagov/ScubaGear
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 385 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into deploying, managing, and optimizing Microsoft’s leading cloud-native SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution. Whether you’re new to Microsoft Sentinel or looking to deepen your expertise, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you secure your Azure environment effectively.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
What is Microsoft Sentinel?
Deployment guide for Microsoft Sentinel
Plan costs and understand Microsoft Sentinel pricing and billing
Log retention plans in Microsoft Sentinel
Prepare for multiple workspaces and tenants in Microsoft Sentinel
Centrally manage multiple Microsoft Sentinel workspaces with workspace manager (Preview)
Sentinel Content Packs
Free data sources
Automate threat response with playbooks in Microsoft Sentinel
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 384 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we tackle a wide range of essential topics to help you monitor, secure, and streamline operations across your Azure estate. From access control strategies to virtual machine agents and everything in between, this episode gives you a high-level overview of Microsoft Defender for Cloud and the suite of Azure services it protects.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Episode 382 – Securing the Modern Workplace: Exploring Microsoft Entra ID Security Defaults, Conditional Access Policies, and Microsoft Secure Score
Episode 383 – Securing Azure: Monitoring and observing your Azure estate
What is Microsoft Defender for Cloud?
Common questions about Defender for Cloud?
Common questions about data collection, agents, and workspaces
About Azure Update Manager
Align responsibilities across teams
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 383 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we continue our discussion on security, transitioning from Microsoft 365 to Azure (Episode 382 – Securing the Modern Workplace: Exploring Microsoft Entra ID Security Defaults, Conditional Access Policies, and Microsoft Secure Score) to Microsoft Azure. We begin with Azure security logging and auditing, discussing the importance of capturing and analyzing security logs to detect and respond to potential threats. Next, we delve into Azure Monitor data sources and data collection methods. Azure Monitor provides a comprehensive set of tools to collect, analyze, and act on telemetry data from your cloud and on-premises environments. Finally, we discuss how the components of Azure Monitor can be used for managing and analyzing the vast amounts of data generated in your Azure environment. We’ll explore how this platform supports advanced analytics, helps you identify trends and anomalies, and enables proactive threat detection.
Whether you’re a cloud architect, security professional, or IT admin, this episode offers practical advice and strategies for leveraging observability to enhance your security posture in Azure. Tune in to discover how you can better protect your organization by implementing effective observability practices.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Announcing mandatory multi-factor authentication for Azure sign-in
Azure security logging and auditing
Azure Monitor data sources and data collection methods
Azure Monitor data platform
Extend Azure with Azure Native ISV Services
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 382 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into three essential tools for safeguarding your organization in the cloud-first world: Security Defaults in Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access Policies, and Microsoft Secure Score. Join us as we talk through and rationalize each solution, including when and why you might want to use each depending on your maturity with the Microsoft Cloud.
Whether you’re an IT administrator, security professional, or just someone keen on understanding how to secure your digital workspace, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help you leverage these security tools. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your organization is protected against the evolving threat landscape!
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Security defaults in Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Secure Future Initiative
Every Microsoft employee is now being judged on their security work
What is Conditional Access?
Conditional Access policy templates
Episode 256 – Conditional Access All The Things?
Microsoft security portals and admin centers
Track your Microsoft Secure Score history and meet goals
Assess your security posture with Microsoft Secure Score
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 381 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we discuss Microsoft Graph Data Connect, a service that allows organizations to access and manage data from Microsoft 365 in a secure, scalable, and efficient manner.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Elgato's New Stream Deck POWER-UPS make streaming even easier
USB Hub - Multiport adapter for Stream Deck +
Helping our customers through the CrowdStrike outage
Azure status history
Update on the SharePoint Files dataset
Datasets, regions, and sinks supported by Microsoft Graph Data Connect
microsoftgraph / dataconnect-solutions
MGDC for SharePoint: New, Updated and Upcoming Datasets
Step-by-step: Gather a detailed dataset on SharePoint Sites using the Microsoft Graph Data Connect
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 380 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we discuss some of the latest security breaches that you should be on the lookout for and then we get into AD FS migrations and if you should consider it.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
AT&T says criminals stole phone records of ‘nearly all’ customers in new data breach
Largest password database leak exposes nearly 10M credentials
Post-Breach Fixes: Snowflake Adds Mandatory MFA
What Is Identity Theft Insurance?
Move to cloud authentication with the AD FS migration tool!
Use AD FS application migration to move AD FS apps to Microsoft Entra ID
Migrate from AD FS to Microsoft Entra ID for identity management
https://setup.cloud.microsoft/
Microsoft ordered employees in China to only use iPhones due to security threats
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 379 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott take a look at Azure Verified Modules, a new initiative from Microsoft to consolidate and set the standards for what a good Bicep and/or Terraform module looks like.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, 14 Oz, App-Controlled Heated Coffee Mug with 80 Min Battery Life and Improved Design, Black
Azure Verified Modules
What, Why, How
Module Indexes
Module Support
Terraform Modules
Community Calls
John Savill - Azure Verified Modules Overview
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 378 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we discuss Azure Compute Fleet, a new Preview service announced at Microsoft Build 2024. Azure Compute Fleet is a new Azure infrastructure service that lets you deploy Azure compute capacity across different virtual machine SKUs, availability zones, and pricing models. It's all about acquiring VM capacity at scale. If you're familiar with AWS EC2 and Spot fleet, this is effectively the equivalent in Azure.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
GoveeLife WiFi Freezer Thermometer Alarm, Remote App Alert with Anti-False, Wireless Smart Temperature Monitor Sensor, 2 Years Free Data Storage Export, Digital Thermometer for Refrigerator Pool Tub
EC2 Fleet – Manage Thousands of On-Demand and Spot Instances with One Request
Azure Compute Fleet PREVIEW
Announcing the Public Preview of Azure Compute Fleet
Build 2024: Microsoft Announces New Azure Virtual Machines for AI and Cloud-Native Workloads
What is Azure Compute Fleet? (Preview)
FAQ for Azure Compute Fleet
Deploying Azure Compute Fleet virtual machines - YouTube
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 377 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott talk about a recent incident at Google Cloud where one of their customer accounts was completely wiped out without notice. Then they dive into Microsoft Copilot for Security. Ben has been getting hands on with it and it is expensive. They discuss pricing for Copilot for Security, how to think about approaching the multiple embedded experiences in it, and how to think about building a corpus of knowledge and truly leveraging it as an assistant and accelerator for upping your security game in your Microsoft cloud.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
“Unprecedented” Google Cloud event wipes out customer account and its backups
A joint statement from UniSuper CEO Peter Chun, and Google Cloud CEO, Thomas Kurian
What was the recent outage caused by?
Microsoft Copilot for Security
Microsoft Security Copilot to be available April 1 as a capacity-based service
Microsoft Copilot for Security - Pricing
Manage usage of security compute units in Copilot for Security
What is Microsoft Copilot for Security?
Microsoft Copilot for Security experiences
Copilot for Security prompting tips - Create effective prompts
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! -
Welcome to Episode 376 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode. Ben and Scott discuss some of the announcements from the Microsoft 365 Community Conference.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Microsoft 365 Community Conference
Microsoft launches SharePoint eSignature integration with Adobe and Docusign
SharePoint eSignature
Set up SharePoint eSignature
Securely digitize document workflows with eSignature in Microsoft 365 | OD17
Unveiling the Newest OneDrive Capabilities
OneDrive Adds New Offline Capabilities
Work with OneDrive web app when offline
The Intrazone - Add to OneDrive
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know! - Vis mere
