Introducing your Microsoft updates for August. Highlights include: Skype for Business Online moving to Teams, new features added to Microsoft 365 Business and free extended security updates for Windows Server and SQL Server 2008 / 2008 R2 if moved to Azure.
Skype for Business Online moving to Teams
Skype for Business online is getting ready to upgrade to Teams. This will be done in certain phases depending on where you are with your deployment and complexity. We can help you understand which category you fit into and assist with planning and deployment.
Don’t forget, if you have an Enterprise Agreement with available DPS vouchers you can use these to help fund the exercise.
If you don’t have Office365 with Teams already you can now try Teams free of charge – click here.
Free Extended Security Updates for Windows Server and SQL Server 2008 / 2008 R2 if moved to Azure
If you are one of the many customers still using Windows Server or SQL Server 2008 / 2008 R2 you will have heard the news that the end of extended support is just around the corner:
SQL Server 2008 / 2008 R2 will end on 9th July 2019
Windows Server 2008 / 2008 R2 will end on 14th January 2020
Microsoft has announced that those customers with Licence and active Software Assurance (SA) can move their workload to Azure and claim three years Extended Security Updates (ESU) free of charge.
Should you wish to remain on-premise and have SA there will be ESU packs available
to purchase nearer the time.
For more information please see Microsoft’s blog post – click here.
Microsoft 365 Business for SMB
New features have been added to Microsoft 365 Business, making it a great end to end solution for SMB customers (300 user max).
Not only does it have Windows, Office and security features but also now supports hybrid solutions as well, making your transition to the cloud a simpler one.
In the upcoming months, an upgrade will also be made available for Business users to upgrade their Windows 10 Business OS to Windows 10 Enterprise.
Below are some of the products that come within the M365 Business Suite:
- Office 365 Business Premium
- Windows 10 Business
- Intune
- Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection
- Azure Information Protection P1
- Data Loss Prevention
- Exchange Online Archiving
- AAD Features
Microsoft 365 Enterprise
Microsoft 365 Enterprise is the hero bundle giving your users all their core requirements from Office and collaboration features to security. New features and updates are being added to M365 and will continue to do so. Latest updates include:
- New intelligent event capabilities – ability to create live and on-demand events
- Workplace Analytics solution – uses collaboration insights from the Microsoft Graph
- Preview of Microsoft Whiteboard – allowing people to work together both in person and remotely, across multiple devices
If you are considering cloud this might be the option for you, so why not talk to one of our licensing specialists? Alternatively you can peruse our collateral below, or even better attend an upcoming event.
Surface at Ultima
Ultima is an approved partner for all Surface products so please do get in touch for any Microsoft hardware requirements, including the new Surface Go - their lightest Surface yet! For more information on Go, click here.
Monthly Licensing Webinars and Events
We also run monthly Microsoft webinars providing key updates and the latest news, plus events which help you gain a better understanding of these products and how they can fit into your organisation.
For our upcoming events, click here. Our previous webinar recordings are available here.
- By Sabrina Gosney (Microsoft Alliance Manager)
