Microsoft 365 Business FAQ

Microsoft have released a new (July 2017) FAQ on Microsoft 365 Business: the new suite aimed at businesses with up to 300 users which will include Office 365 Business Premium, Windows 10 Pro, and security and management features.

It will be in preview from 2nd August 2017, and this FAQ gives you a headstart in learning what this suite is, how the public preview will work, deployment and compatability considerations, and potential opportunities for partners selling the suite.

Find the FAQ in the Online Services section of our Licensing Guides emporium: http://bit.ly/MSLicensingGuides.

Remote Desktop Services VL Brief

There’s a new (May 2017) Remote Desktop Services VL Brief from Microsoft. It replaces separate briefs on server and desktop licensing considerations for RDS. Use it to understand when RDS CALs are required and what might catch you out in licensing Office in an RDS environment.

Find it in the Core Infrastructure section of our Licensing Guides emporium: http://bit.ly/MSLicensingGuides.

Windows Server 2016 Servicing Channels

Microsoft announce that Windows Server 2016 will have a new option for releasing updates which will align to the upcoming servicing channels for Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus. There will be two primary release channels available to Windows Server customers: the Long Term Servicing Channel (replacing the Long Term Servicing Branch) and the new Semi Annual Channel.

In the Semi Annual Channel there will be new releases of Windows Server twice a year (in the spring and autumn) and each release will be supported for 18 months. The different releases will be identified by the year and month – for example, the expected release in September this year will be 1709.

Not all Windows Server installation options are available through all channels: Nano Sever will only be available through the Semi Annual Channel, and Server with Desktop only available through the Long Term Servicing Channel. Server Core will be available through both channels.

For further information – including device compatibility and servicing tools – read the full Microsoft article here: http://bit.ly/2w5OKql.

Office 365 F1

Microsoft re-brand Office 365 K1 as Office 365 F1. Previously the “K” was for “Kiosk” – those workers who typically use a PC for less than 10% of their time. “F” is for “Firstline” where firstline workers are those who are the first in line to engage with customers in the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government, and many other sectors. Currently the F1 plan gives access to the same services as K1.

Check out this page to see what F1 includes and for a couple of useful FAQs: http://bit.ly/2uwemPH.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft introduce Microsoft 365 in Enterprise and Business editions. Enterprise edition replaces Secure Productive Enterprise and will be available as an E3 or E5 plan from 1st August 2017. Business edition is new, and is aimed at organizations with less than 300 users who want Office 365 Business Premium with security/management features from Windows 10 and EMS, as well as some new applications such as Microsoft Connections.

It’s in public preview on 2nd August 2017, and generally available in autumn 2017, priced at $20 per user per month.

Find the announcement here: http://bit.ly/2u0oUXy.

Windows Virtualisation Use Rights in CSP

Microsoft announce that virtualisation use rights in CSP will be available for Windows 10 Enterprise licences on 6th September 2017, enabling Windows VMs to be hosted in Azure or with a qualified multi-tenant hosting partner.

At that time Windows 10 Enterprise E3 will be available with or without virtualisation use rights, and Windows 10 Enterprise E5 and SPE will be updated to include them. There will also be a new Windows 10 Enterprise E3 VDA offering for customers who require access to Windows VMs on non-Windows Pro devices.

Find the announcement here: http://bit.ly/2tGfT3c.

Extended Hotfix Support

Extended Hotfix Support is no longer included as a Software Assurance benefit for new customers.

Existing customers who had SA prior to 1 July 2017 are unaffected. See page 6 of the July 2017 Product Terms document.

Azure Stack

There’s a new (July 2017) Azure Stack Packaging and Pricing 2-page datasheet from Microsoft. It’s well worth a read since it gives an idea of pricing, how billing works, and which existing server licenses can be used with Azure Stack. There are also details on the Azure Stack Plan which is only available through the EA.

Find this datasheet in our Licensing Guides emporium in the Online Services section: http://bit.ly/MSLicensingGuides.

Workplace Analytics

Microsoft announce the General Availability of Workplace Analytics, sold as an Add-on Subscription Licence which can be added on to any Office 365 Enterprise plan.

Workplace Analytics is an organizational analytics solution which taps into Office 365 email and calendar data to reveal how an organization collaborates and spends time.

Find the announcement and some examples of how customers are using Workplace Analytics here: http://bit.ly/2uMHe2U.

Azure Government services available in CSP

Microsoft announce that Azure Government services for US government and public sector agencies are now available through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program.

Find the announcement here: http://bit.ly/2tRqMOg.