M365 Weekly Newsletter
Issue #186
☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace
10 ways to make a SharePoint page work for you, after you publish it! Maximize the impact of your published SharePoint pages with strategies mentioned in the article. Enhance visibility by adding pages to site navigation, posting as News, or integrating them into Teams channels. Share pages directly in Teams chats or emails, and post them to Viva Engage …
How to Transcribe Stream Videos. Transcribing Stream videos in Microsoft 365 is a powerful feature for enhancing productivity and content search. You can generate transcripts automatically or manually for Teams meetings and uploaded videos. Whether you record meetings, upload videos to SharePoint/OneDrive, or manually add transcripts, the process is straightforward and flexible, supporting multiple languages and efficient keyword search.
☁️Copilot & AI
How to Make Copilot Useful with Better Prompts and Responses. Microsoft 365 Copilot’s effectiveness hinges on several factors: access to necessary data, precise task definitions, and user familiarity. Copilot thrives with clear, well-defined instructions and access to the Microsoft Graph. However, challenges like inadequate data access and vague prompts can limit its utility. For optimal use, provide detailed prompts, leverage relevant data, and practice refining AI-generated results.
Understanding AI Agents. AI agents are transforming business operations by automating complex workflows. Unlike traditional SaaS apps, which need manual interaction, AI agents conduct business logic and integrate across multiple platforms seamlessly. Imagine handling a sales process through a chat: taking notes, generating documents, updating CRMs, and scheduling emails – all automatically. Real-life examples, like an AI-powered Loan Analyzer, show their efficiency and practical application.
Study: GenAI Is Eroding Critical Thinking. A Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon study reveals that users with high confidence in generative AI tools often show reduced critical thinking skills. While AI aids efficiency, it can inhibit critical engagement, leading to overreliance and diminished problem-solving abilities. Researchers suggest enhancing AI tools to foster critical thinking through feedback mechanisms, explanations, and adaptive assistance based on user expertise.
☁️Sysadmin Stuff
How to Pre-Provision OneDrive for Users in Microsoft 365. When assigning a license in Microsoft 365, OneDrive isn’t automatically created for users. They must log in to set it up, or as an admin, you can use PowerShell to pre-provision OneDrive. This method is efficient for file migrations. Ensure users have valid licenses and aren’t blocked from signing in, then follow detailed PowerShell steps for pre-provisioning.
Effective Ways to Get SharePoint Online site usage reports. SharePoint sprawl can be daunting, with rising storage costs and governance challenges. You can regain control by generating site usage reports, offering insights into user engagement, storage consumption, and external sharing activities. Utilize various methods like the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, Microsoft Graph PowerShell, and Power BI to monitor and optimize your SharePoint Online ecosystem efficiently.
How to Prevent Users from Exporting PST Files in Outlook. Strengthen your organization’s data security by restricting user actions with Outlook Data Files (.pst) in Exchange Online. Use PowerShell to modify OwaMailboxPolicy settings, preventing users from exporting, copying, or accessing .pst files as needed. Options range from allowing full access to completely denying interactions, ensuring compliance with your specific security requirements.
☁️Security & Data Governance
Choosing the Right Mobile Management Approach. When managing mobile devices in the workplace, choosing between Mobile Application Management (MAM) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) is crucial. MAM is ideal for BYOD scenarios, safeguarding company data while respecting user privacy. MDM offers comprehensive control for corporate-owned devices, enforcing stricter security. A hybrid approach combines both, providing robust security and flexibility, tailored to organizational needs.
How to implement SharePoint in your organization. Implementing SharePoint successfully involves strategic planning and phased execution. Start with manageable phases, like document management, and choose an easy win, such as an Intranet build-out, to set a positive tone. Gradually introduce Microsoft 365 applications, offering users various ways to access documents.
☁️Noteworthy (long)reads
Microsoft Announces First Quantum Computing Chip ‘Majorana 1’. Microsoft’s Majorana 1 is a groundbreaking quantum computing chip designed for data centers, promising scalable and reliable qubits through its Topological Core architecture. This chip aims to achieve one million qubits, enabling solutions for complex industrial challenges. Integrated with Microsoft’s Azure cloud, it merges AI and classical computing, potentially revolutionizing industries like materials science and healthcare for sustainable innovations.
Happy 25th Birthday, Active Directory! Active Directory Domain Services turns 25! Introduced with Windows 2000 Server on February 17, 2000, it revolutionized network management by offering centralized domain management, enhancing security, and improving organizational efficiency.
☁️Classifieds
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☁️On a Less Serious Note
☁️ Last but not least …
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