Centriq Blog Category: Corporate IT Training
2019 Microsoft Product Roadmap Summary
2019 Microsoft Product Roadmap Summary: Upcoming Products & Dates
(Quoted content provided by Gladys Rama/Redmond Channel Partner)
Each year, Redmond Channel Partner publishes their highly-anticipated Microsoft Product Roadmap, which takes an in-depth look at what Microsoft releases and updates are on the immediate horizon. Once again, 2019 will be a busy year, with major updates to Windows 10, Dynamics 365, and System Center on tap, to name just a few. Below is a condensed summary of the Roadmap, which provides a snapshot of new and upcoming releases, version updates, and anticipated release dates.
Office 365: Hey IT, Get That Done, Will You?
You’ve made the decision to move to Microsoft Office 365.
The decision could have been driven by security concerns, cost factors, productivity initiatives or any number of different reasons. It may have involved everyone from the executive team, to finance, to sales and marketing, to operations, to IT. Every company comes at it differently.
But once the decision is made to move to O365, all companies do the exact same thing. They say: “Hey IT, get that done, will you?”
Office 365: Outlook is bright (but other Apps are brighter)
Office 365 is more than just Outlook in the Cloud. Office 365 is the first step in leading your company’s Digital Transformation. But if you are like most companies, you move to Office 365 and stick your toe in the water (or Cloud as it were) by starting only with Outlook. Unfortunately, many companies start and stop with Outlook. Why do they stop? That’s a good question. Many companies just don’t know or understand all the capabilities of Office 365 while others haven’t found a clear path or guidance to implementing what Office 365 has to offer them.
Office 365 vs Microsoft 365: What’s the Difference? Are They the Same?
Microsoft 365 and Office 365 – also referred to as M365 and O365 – are hot products in the IT industry right now, so you have probably heard these names tossed around (and maybe even heard them used interchangeably). So, which is it, Microsoft? Office 365 or Microsoft 365?
Here’s the answer:
Office 365 and Microsoft 365 are separate but overlapping Microsoft productivity tools or products. They are the first steps in a company’s journey towards Digital Transformation.
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Slack vs. Teams: Combat for Collaboration
To help increase productivity in the workplace, more companies are adopting collaborative communication platforms. These platforms help reduce email clutter and streamline processes with many tools that employees use on a regular basis. Many organizations are catching on to the value of these programs, projecting to increase the communication platform market’s value to $49.5 billion by 2021. Two players have come forward as the frontrunners for many major businesses: Slack and Microsoft Teams. Each platform is similar in structure but has enough differences that beg the question, which is better: Slack or Teams?
The New ITIL® 4 Foundation Certification
In 2018, AXELOS announced plans to update ITIL® in 2019 with the release of ITIL® 4. Find a complete description of the new ITIL® 4 certification structure (or scheme) here. The first release of ITIL® 4 will be the Foundation level launching in Q1 2019. (The higher levels of ITIL® 4 are due for release in H2 2019).
The New ITIL® 4 Certification Structure
The New ITIL® 4 Certification Structure
In 2018, AXELOS announced that it would update its ITIL® service management framework for the first time since 2011. The widely anticipated new version finally arrives in Q1 of 2019 with the release of the ITIL® 4 Foundation course and exam. The remaining levels are scheduled for release in H2 of 2019. The new certification structure (or scheme) is aligned with ITIL® v3 but has been significantly streamlined to provide clear paths for you to continue your ITIL® journey.
New Microsoft 365 & Office 365 Role-Based Certifications
Role-Based Certifications
Overview
With the retirement of the MCSA: Office 365 certifications on March 31, 2019 and the release of the new Microsoft 365 certifications, the next generation of Microsoft certifications is here. And, it is truly a new generation. For the first time, Microsoft certifications will focus on building the skills required for actual job roles rather than focusing on features and services of the Microsoft software product itself. As a result, Microsoft is calling these new certs “role-based” certifications.
New Microsoft Azure Role-Based Certifications
Role-Based Certifications
Overview
With the retirement of the MCSE Azure certifications on December 31, 2018 (see below) and the release of the new Azure certifications, the next generation of Microsoft certifications is here. And, it is truly a new generation. For the first time, Microsoft certifications will focus on building the skills required for actual job roles rather than focusing on the features and services of the Microsoft software product itself. As a result, Microsoft is calling these new certs “role-based” certifications.
Basic Cisco Router Setup and Configuration
Getting a Cisco router up and working is a fairly straightforward endeavor, as there are really only a few items that need to be addressed. Let’s take a look at the basic instructions that will help you configure and setup the router. Once these basic settings are established, the configuration can be made more complex given the individual needs specific to each use.Read More