Keeping Up With Microsoft

More Microsoft news, I hear you cry! And so I am here, with another round of articles about the latest updates, upgrades, and changes our favorite software giant has announced. Read on to learn more about what’s new in Office 365, how Windows 10 is shaping up, and more.

Microsoft Introduces Per-User Licensing for Enterprises

http://rcpmag.com/articles/2014/11/05/microsoft-per-user-licensing.aspx

Microsoft is adding per-user licensing options for its Windows Software Assurance (SA) and Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) plans, in addition to the existing per-device licensing.

By Kurt Mackie

Redmond Channel Partner

November 5, 2014

Microsoft Gives Unlimited Cloud Storage To Office 365 Customers

https://www.crn.com/news/cloud/300074595/microsoft-gives-unlimited-cloud-storage-to-office-365-customers.htm

Microsoft began offering free, unlimited cloud storage for Office 365 customers Monday, shaking up the market in a move that will reshape the cloud storage landscape, said channel partners.

By Tom Spring

CRN

October 27, 2014

MUST SEE:  Windows 10 Start menu in action

https://www.cnet.com/news/see-the-windows-10-start-menu-in-action/

The full-screen Windows 8 Start screen has been a real sore point for many of us, and Windows 10 aims to fix all that. The new Start Menu featured in the Windows 10 Technical Preview combines many of the smart ideas Windows 8 introduced with the usability we’ve grown used to in previous versions of Windows, giving the best of both worlds.

By Nate Ralph

CNET

October 23, 2014

Microsoft reveals audacious plans to tighten security with Windows 10

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-reveals-audacious-plans-to-tighten-security-with-windows-10-7000034963/

Windows 10 will build in standards-based two-factor authentication to every device, effectively neutering most phishing attacks and password database breaches. The company also announced new features aimed at securing corporate machines from malware attacks and data leaks.

By Ed Bott

ZDNet.com

October 22, 2014

Office 16 release targeted for second half of 2015

https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-office-16-release-now-targeted-for-second-half-of-2015/

Microsoft is aiming for the second half of next year to release both its next-generation Office client and server applications.

By Mary Jo Foley

CNET

October 28, 2014

Microsoft releases surprise Outlook for Mac update, new Office due in 2015

https://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-releases-surprise-outlook-for-mac-update-new-office-due-in-2015-7000035298/

Microsoft released a new version of Outlook for the Mac today, aimed exclusively at Office 365 subscribers. The company also detailed ambitious plans for Office for the Mac upgrades next year.

By Ed Bott

ZNDNet.com

October 31, 2014

Microsoft Bundles Mobile Device Management In Office 365, Touts It As ‘Game Changer’

https://www.crn.com/news/cloud/300074617/microsoft-bundles-mobile-device-management-in-office-365-touts-it-as-game-changer.htm

Microsoft is planning to embed mobile device management technology from its Intune product into Office 365, giving enterprises a way to secure and keep track of employees’ smartphones and tablets from within the friendly confines of its cloud productivity suite.

By Kevin McLaughlin

CRN

October 28, 2014

Software Licensing Experts: Microsoft’s New Volume Agreement Isn’t as Short and Simple As Advertised

https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300074276/software-licensing-experts-microsofts-new-volume-agreement-isnt-as-short-and-simple-as-advertised.htm

Microsoft debuted a new volume licensing agreement earlier this year, touting it as a simplified — and much shorter — version of the software giant’s existing agreements.

By Kevin McLaughlin

CRN

October 3, 2014

Microsoft Unveils Enterprise Mobility Suite Tech Support Discounts

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/10/20/microsoft-unveils-enterprise-mobility-suite.aspx

Microsoft has a program that pays for Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) technical support costs.

By Kurt Mackie

RedmondMag.com

October 20, 2014

Microsoft Improves Office 365 Document Collaboration

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/10/08/office-365-collaboration.aspx

Microsoft has improved document collaboration capabilities for its Office 365 subscribers, particularly for users of its Outlook Web App and OneDrive for Business solutions.

By Kurt Mackie

RedmondMag.com

October 8, 2014

Microsoft Improves Office 365 Document Collaboration

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/10/07/azure-disaster-recovery.aspx

Microsoft has rolled out two new cloud-based solutions in recent days, including Disaster Recovery to Azure and Redis Cache services.

By Kurt Mackie

RedmondMag.com

October 7, 2014

SQL Server 2008 SP4 Released

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/10/02/sql-server-2008-sp4.aspx

After releasing SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3 earlier in the week, Microsoft followed up with the release of the final service pack for the first revision of SQL Server 2008.

RedmondMag.com

October 2, 2014

How the Surface Pro 3 changed the way I work

https://www.zdnet.com/how-the-surface-pro-3-changed-the-way-i-work-7000035117/

For the first time in 20 years, I don’t own a conventional clamshell laptop PC. The Surface Pro 3 has taken over all the functions that I used to need a laptop for, and it makes an excellent tablet, too. Here’s how I use this device in PC and tablet modes.

By Ed Bott

ZDNet.com

October 28, 2014

Windows 10 Said To Simplify App Deployments via Improved Store

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/10/03/windows-10-app-deployment.aspx

He explained that a new “Threshold Windows Store,” when combined with Microsoft’s current Windows Store, will result in a “converged app store” that will open up new app procurement and licensing scenarios for organizations. Threshold was Microsoft’s code name for Windows 10.

By Kurt Mackie

RedmondMag.com

October 3, 2014

And Finally, Just for Fun: Technology predictions from 1985:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_B_2KXjawc