In this month’s Empowering.Cloud community update, we cover the latest briefings from MVPs, the Microsoft Teams Monthly Update, updates in the Operator Connect world and upcoming industry events.
Community Briefings
Introduction to Copilot Dashboard
https://app.empowering.cloud/briefings/358/Introduction-to-Copilot-Dashboard
In the latest community briefing, Solutions Architect, Jack Fisher runs us through the Copilot dashboard within Viva Insights, focusing on access control, key areas of the dashboard, and FAQs.
- Access it through Teams in the Viva Insights app or as a standalone Power BI app
- Access controls managed by global administrators in the M365 Admin Center
- Explore different tabs: Readiness, Adoption, Impact, Sentiment, and News and Research
- Assess your organization's readiness for Copilot, track user adoption, measure impact, gauge sentiment, and stay informed with the latest AI research.
Microsoft Teams Monthly Update March 2024
https://app.empowering.cloud/briefings/362/Microsoft-Teams-Monthly-Update-March-2024
MVP Tom Arbuthnot shares all the latest Microsoft Teams and devices news for March 2024 in this month’s update:
- New Planner in Teams launched in public preview integrating To Do, Planner and Project for the web
- New Outlook in-person events including attendees, RSVP in-person or online from March 2024 for OWA and new Outlook Desktop
- Pure IP launch Mobile Connect for Microsoft Teams powered by Tango Extend
- Microsoft Teams Rooms updates, both on Android and Windows
- Shure MXW neXt 2 Mics Microsoft Teams Certified
- Google DeepMind Co-Founder joins Microsoft as CEO of its new AI division
- Microsoft Security Copilot GA 1st April 2024 as a capacity-based service
Setup of Resilient AudioCodes SBCs for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
Seth Schumacher walks us through, step-by-step, how to set up resilient AudioCodes SBCs for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing.
- Configuring and Deploying AudioCodes SBC using VMware
- Console level configuration
- Graphic interface setup, licensing and other useful AudioCodes tools
- Simulating internal IP PBXs and various SIP devices
- Demo: configuring IP interfaces, setting up SIP interfaces, network translation rules and DNS name configuration
Microsoft Teams Insider Podcast
The Importance of Standards in Designing Meeting Spaces with Greg Jeffreys
Greg Jeffreys, co-owner at Visual Displays, is back for a second podcast – this time him and Tom Arbuthnot discuss a holistic approach to room design including the role of user experience in room design, performance standards and current and future trends including multi-camera setups and spatial audio.
Modern Work Transformation Trends: AI, BYOD and the Long Tail of PBX with Tim Banting
Tim Banting, Practice Leader, Digital Workplace at Omdia and Tom Arbuthnot discuss key trends in digital transformation, including generative AI, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy and the persistence of PBX.
Deploying 1,000 Microsoft Teams Rooms Globally at AstraZeneca with Stephen McClellan
Stephen McClellan, Associate Solutions Engineering Director, Conferencing at AstraZeneca and Tom Arbuthnot discuss the technology journey from full Cisco to Microsoft Teams at AstraZeneca, deploying over a thousand Microsoft Teams rooms.
Understanding E911 in Microsoft Teams with MVP Eric Marsi
https://www.teamsinsider.show/2111467/14656715-understanding-e911-in-microsoft-teams-with-eric-marsi
MVP Eric Marsi discusses the intricacies of E911 regulations and strict compliance requirements with Microsoft Teams.
Demystifying Microsoft Copilot: Real-world Use Cases & Experience with MVP Kevin McDonnell
MVP Kevin McDonnell, Copilot Strategy and Modern Workplace AI Lead at Avanade and MVP Tom Arbuthnot dive deep into Copilot, discussing the challenges and opportunities it brings to modern workplaces and real-world use cases.
Microsoft Teams Operator Connect Updates
With there now being 92 Microsoft Teams Operator Connect providers and 94 countries covered, the 100 mark is in sight!
The newest providers and countries they cover are:
- ABB – Australia, New Zealand
- BCX – South Africa
- Hawaiian Telecom - USA
Check out our full Power BI report of all the Operators here:
https://app.empowering.cloud/research/microsoft-teams-operator-connect-providers-comparison
Upcoming Community Events
Teams Fireside Chat – 11th April, 16:00 GMT | Virtual
Hosts: MVP Tom Arbuthnot
Guest Speaker: Vandana Thomas, Product Leader, Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile
Join other community members as we chat with Microsoft’s Product Leader for Teams Phone Mobile, Vandana Thomas on April’s Teams Fireside Chat. As usual, we’ll open up the floor to discussion to bring along your burning Microsoft Teams questions to get them answered by the experts.
Registration Link: https://events.empowering.cloud/event-details?recordId=recLQiD9PjZbQahog
Microsoft Teams Devices Ask Me Anything – 15/16th April| Virtual
Microsoft Teams Devices Ask Me Anything is a monthly community which gives you all an update on the important and Microsoft Teams devices news, as well as the chance to ask questions and get them answered by the experts. We have 2 sessions to cover different time zones, so there's really no excuse not to come along to at least one!
EMEA/NA – 15th April, 16:00 GMT | Virtual
Hosts: MVP Graham Walsh, Michael Tressler, Jimmy Vaughan
Registration Link:
APAC - 16th April, 15:30 AEST | Virtual
Hosts: MVP Graham Walsh, Phil Clapham, Andrew Higgs, Justin O’Meara
Registration Link: https://events.empowering.cloud/event-details?recordId=recsMBe3O6J10xSC2
Comms vNext – 23-24 April | In-Person | Denver, CO
Comms VNext is the only conference in North America dedicated to Microsoft Communications and Collaboration Technologies and aims to bring the community together for an event full of deep technical sessions from experts, an exhibition hall with 40 exhibitors and some great catering too!
Registration Link: https://www.commsvnext.com/
Microsoft 365 Conference – 30th April-2nd May | In-Person | Orlando
The Microsoft 365 Conference is the world’s largest gathering of Microsoft engineers and community. This year’s event will focus on the transition to an AI-powered workplace, as well as the integration of remote and in-person work with AI-driven business productivity.
Registration Link: https://events.empowering.cloud/event-more-info?recordId=recjMUgRxmsteVank