
A Comprehensive Guide to Network Access Control and Security Policy Management
30/01/2024
How to help customers navigate changes to VMWare with Broadcom
05/03/2024Changes to From SA licences
Microsoft have announced changes to the availability of From SA licences. Microsoft introduced this discounted sku in August 2014 as a way for a customer with users licensed with traditional desktop licences with SA to move to the cloud, with, for example, an Office 365 E3 From SA User SL costing less than a full Office 365 E3 User SL.
The changes don’t affect customers who have bought From SA licences – they’ll be able to continue to renew these licences, but from 1 February, 2024 no new licences may be purchased, either by existing or new From SA customer.
Microsoft Copilot Studio
Microsoft announced Copilot Studio in November 2023, a conversational AI platform for users to create bots (copilots) using natural language or a graphical interface. It’s built on Power Virtual Agents, and to that end, the Power Virtual Agents brand is retired in favour of Copilot Studio. It’s licensed with a tenant capacity licence.
Microsoft Mesh on GA
Microsoft announce that Microsoft Mesh is now generally available, allowing you to join a Teams meeting as an Avatar within a 3D space. Features are available to everyone licensed with a Microsoft 365 Business Basic/Standard/Premium, Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Office 365 E1/E3/E5 licence, with the creation of customised 3D spaces requiring a Teams Premium licence.
Exchange Server 2019 CUs and end of Mainstream Support
Exchange Server 2019 reached end of Mainstream Support on 9th January, 2024 which means that you wouldn’t normally expect any non-security updates to be released after that date. However, there are still two more Cumulative Updates planned.
Azure Standard Support offer extended
Customers buying their Azure services through an Enterprise Agreement or via the MCA-E have long been eligible for free Azure Standard Support, and Microsoft confirm that this offer will be extended to June 30, 2024, with both new and renewing customers eligible for support for a period of 6 months.
Clipchamp licensing options
Clipchamp is a tool to help users to create professional-looking videos, and Microsoft have confirmed that it’s now available to users with Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Microsoft 365 Business Standard/Premium licences. In addition, there’s a new Premium Add-on licence for these users to get access to some additional features such as premium stock content. This licence will cost $7 per user per month after June 30, 2024 but there’s some introductory pricing at $5 per user per month until then. For users not eligible for included Clipchamp rights there’s a new Standard standalone licence at £3 per user per month, or a Premium standalone licence currently costing $7 which rises to $10 per user per month in July 2024.