by Contributed | Sep 16, 2024 | Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
Microsoft 365 offers the cloud-backed apps, security, and storage that customers worldwide rely on to achieve more in a connected world – and lays a secure foundation for leveraging generative AI to go even further. Investing in our cloud productivity solutions and the AI-powered innovation they support will continue to be Microsoft’s priority.
Still, we know that some customer scenarios require a different approach. Some devices must never be connected to the internet; others need to remain unchanged for years at a time. We remain committed to supporting our customers and these scenarios. Earlier this year, we offered a public preview of Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) 2024. Today, we’re announcing the general availability of this next perpetual version of Office for commercial and government customers.
An updated solution for specialized needs
Office LTSC 2024 offers a locked-in-time version of familiar productivity tools, updated with a subset of the features that have been added to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise over the last three years. New features for this release include Dynamic Charts and more than a dozen new text and array functions in Excel, enhanced search and meeting creation options in Outlook, and improvements to performance, security, and accessibility. Learn more about what’s new.
Office LTSC 2024 will be supported for five years under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy, and – like prior versions – will be deployable alongside Microsoft 365 Apps using a common set of tools to enable customers to more easily manage hybrid environments. Learn more about how to deploy and manage Office LTSC at Overview of Office LTSC 2024.
Choosing the best productivity suite for your organization
While Office LTSC 2024 offers many significant improvements over the previous Office LTSC release, as an on-premises product it does not include the cloud-based capabilities of Microsoft 365 Apps, like real-time collaboration, AI-driven automation, or cloud-backed security and compliance capabilities. And for customers who need additional flexibility on deployment and connectivity – but not a fully disconnected solution – Microsoft 365 has options that can help. For example, device-based licensing can simplify management of Microsoft 365 Apps in settings like computer labs or hospitals where devices are shared by many users. And extended offline access can be used to maintain access to Microsoft 365 Apps on devices that need to be disconnected from the internet for up to six months at a time. Microsoft 365 (or Office 365) is also required to subscribe to Microsoft 365 Copilot; as a disconnected product, Office LTSC does not qualify.
|
Microsoft 365 Apps [1] |
Office LTSC 2024 |
Apps included |
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Microsoft Access (Windows Only), Microsoft Publisher (Windows Only) [2], Sway, Microsoft Forms |
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, Microsoft Access (Windows Only) [3] |
Desktop apps |
Premium apps installed on up to 5 PCs or Macs |
Classic apps installed on 1 PC or Mac |
Mobile apps |
Create & edit on up to 5 phones + 5 tablets |
 |
Web apps |
Create & edit online |
 |
Eligible for Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on [4] |
 |
 |
Cloud storage |
1 TB per user |
 |
Feature updates |
New features and security updates delivered via Current, Monthly, or Semi-Annual channels |
Security updates only |
Shared devices |
Shared computer activation or device-based licensing available |
Device-based licensing only |
Connectivity requirements |
Internet connection required for activation, license validation, and internet-based functionality. Extended offline access available to enable devices to stay disconnected for up to six months at a time. |
No internet connection required |
Embracing the future of work
Microsoft 365 offers the most secure, productive, and cost-effective solution for most organizations, and positions customers to unlock the transformative power of AI with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Especially as we approach the end of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 on October 14, 2025, we encourage customers still using these solutions to transition to a Microsoft 365 subscription that suits their needs as a small business or a larger organization. And for scenarios where that is not possible – where a disconnected, locked-in-time solution is required – this new release reflects our commitment to supporting that need.
Learn more
Office LTSC 2024 is available to existing commercial and government volume-licensed customers today, along with new on-premises versions of Project and Visio. These products will be generally available to all customers on October 1. We will share more about Office 2024 for consumers in the coming weeks. For more information about Office LTSC 2024 and how it compares to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, please visit the Office LTSC plan comparison page. If your organization is ready to take the next step toward the AI-powered future, find out how to get started with Microsoft 365 today.
Notes:
[1] Applies to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and Microsoft 365 Apps for business. All Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites that include desktop apps also include everything listed here – and more. Learn about the available options.
[2] Microsoft Publisher will be retiring in October 2026.
[3] Microsoft Access is included only with Office LTSC Professional Plus.
[4] Microsoft 365 Copilot may not be available for all markets and languages. To purchase, customers must have a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan for enterprise or business.
by Contributed | Sep 16, 2024 | AI, Business, Microsoft 365, Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
We are introducing Wave 2 of Microsoft 365 Copilot innovation, with three key updates. From enterprises to small businesses, they help Copilot get better every day. Nearly 1,000 customers have given us direct feedback on Copilot, and we’ve made more than 700 product updates based on that feedback.
The post Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2: Pages, Python in Excel, and agents appeared first on Microsoft 365 Blog.
Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.
by Contributed | Sep 15, 2024 | Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
The Azure Storage product group is heading to the SNIA Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 in Santa Clara, California, USA from September 16th through September 18th. We have a large contingent of Product Managers and Engineers responsible for Azure Blob Storage and Azure Files presenting across multiple sessions at the conference as well as the Cloud Object Storage Plugfest.
If you’re attending the conference, stop by our sessions, listen in, say “Hello!” and introduce yourself as we demonstrate how Azure Storage can accommodate the largest AI training and AI inference workloads using Azure Blob Storage. Or if you’re a Files customer, stop by our sessions on Azure Files and SMB.
Session catalog
by Contributed | Sep 13, 2024 | Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
September V1 Title Plan has been uploaded. Go to: aka.ms/Courseware_Title_Plan
aka.ms/Courseware_Title_Plan
Don’t forget to checkout updates made to the Title Plan, shared in its permanent location, linked above.
Please note: This is not a support forum. Only comments related to this specific blog post content are permitted and responded to.
- For ILT Courseware Support, please visit: aka.ms/ILTSupport
- If you have ILT questions not related to this blog post, please reach out to your program for support.
by Contributed | Sep 13, 2024 | Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
In this blog series dedicated to Microsoft’s technical articles, we’ll highlight our MVPs’ favorite article along with their personal insights.
Pratheep Sinnathurai, Microsoft Azure MVP, Switzerland
Azure Arc overview – Azure Arc | Microsoft Learn
“I always compare Azure Arc to the Lord of the Rings, seeing it as the one ring to rule them all. If you’re seeking a solution to manage all your Windows and Linux servers, Azure Arc could be the answer. It provides a unified management experience across diverse environments, whether on-premises, in Azure, or other clouds.
Using Azure Arc, I’ve also gained valuable insights into other technologies, such as Kubernetes (AKS) and AWS, through its Multi-Cloud Connector. This feature enhances your ability to manage and govern resources across multiple cloud platforms seamlessly.
In essence, if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution to manage your hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure efficiently, Azure Arc offers the tools and capabilities you need.”
*Relevant Blog: In my blog post I explained how to use pre and post events fro Azure Update Manager on Azure Arc Enabled Servers.
Using Pre and Post events from Azure Update Manager on Azure Arc-Enabled Windows Server | by Pratheep Sinnathurai | Medium
Elton Bordim, Microsoft Azure MVP, Brazil
Bring Azure innovation to your hybrid environments with Azure Arc – Training | Microsoft Learn
“This content is comprehensive, helping with the solution support of Azure Arc and the supported resources. Understanding how to innovate with Azure Arc is essential nowadays, and by contributing Azure Arc content to the community, without a doubt, this training is the one I most like to recommend.”
*Relevant Activities:
– Blog: Encerramento da série: Azure Arc para iniciantes – Elton Bordim – MCT | AZ-104 | AZ-305 | SC-200 | AZ-800 e 801
– Video: Azure Arc – YouTube
Joe Carlyle, Microsoft Azure MVP, Ireland
Networking architecture design – Azure Architecture Center | Microsoft Learn
“Networking is core to Azure, and core to architecting excellent solutions. While the architecture center offers a range of guidance from foundational to niche, the networking section should be common to nearly all deployments. It is unique in its importance to Azure design.”
*Relevant Blog: A lot of my content would relate to Azure Networking, and I do have a recent blog highlighting this area – Exploring – Network Design in the Azure Architecture Center – wedoAzure
Luke Murray, Microsoft Azure MVP, New Zealand
Design review checklist for Reliability – Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework | Microsoft Learn
“Hyperscaler Cloud offerings, like Microsoft Azure, offer businesses worldwide to compete on a global stage, but with the ability to scale up business offerings comes more complexity and additional risk of outages. One of the key pillars (for good reason) of the Azure Well-Architected Framework is Resiliency, and Microsoft Learn offers a great way of checking off, using a data-validated approach, of not only your Resiliency at a Technical level, but Business as well, using resources, such as the Design review checklist for Reliability.”
*Relevant Blog: Running your own Azure Proactive Resiliency Assessment | luke.geek.nz
by Contributed | Sep 12, 2024 | Technology
This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.
At Microsoft Learn, we continually review and evolve our portfolio of Microsoft Certifications to help learners around the world stay up to date with the latest technologies in our fast-changing digital world, especially as AI skills become increasingly important in the workplace. Microsoft Certifications are globally recognized credentials that validate your skills for various job roles using these technologies.
According to the 2023 Skillsoft IT Skills & Salary report, 62% of those who earned certifications felt that the quality of their work improved. They’re also more engaged at work (47%) and perform their duties faster (45%). Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone changing careers, earning a Microsoft Certification can help you accomplish your goals and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and improvement. This achievement can also help boost your confidence and credibility at work as you showcase your expertise to employers and customers.
What’s changing?
We regularly update our exam content, format, and delivery to help ensure that our exams are aligned with industry standards and best practices. In recent years, we’ve made significant investments in developing and launching new exams and certifications for critical roles that use Microsoft apps and services, like Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft Power Platform.
We also review and adjust exam prices to help maintain the quality and value of our Certification program. As a result, effective November 1, 2024, Microsoft is updating the retail prices for its Certification exams to reflect the current market conditions and the value of the Certifications. Our goal is to make the exam pricing simpler and more consistent across geographies while still offering a fair and affordable value proposition for our Certification candidates.
What are the new prices?
The new retail prices for Certification exams vary depending on the country or region where you take the exam. For most areas, there will be no change in the price. For some areas, the price will decrease to make the exams more affordable. In a few areas, the price will increase to align with global and regional standards. To find the updated price of the exams in your area, check out the full list of new prices for Microsoft Certifications by country or region.
How does this news affect you?
If you’re planning to take a Microsoft Certification exam, you can register for and take the exam at the current price until October 31, 2024. If you register to take the exam on or after November 1, 2024, you’ll pay the updated price. Remember, in many countries and regions, the retail price is not changing and might even be decreasing. For more information on how to register and pay for your exam, go to the Microsoft Certification exam policies and FAQs.
To prepare for the Certification exam, make the most of the many resources and opportunities available on Microsoft Learn, such as free self-paced training, along with exam readiness resources, like Practice Assessments, exam prep videos, and more. You can also enroll in instructor-led training with Microsoft Training Services Partners or join the Microsoft Learn Community to prepare with peers and colleagues.
Earn a Microsoft Certification today
Microsoft Certification exams are more than just a test of your knowledge. They demonstrate your commitment, passion, and excellence in the IT industry. Earning a Certification is an investment in your professional life that can pay off in many ways, helping you build your skills and enhance your career. A Certification can boost your career prospects, improve your professional credibility, and unlock new opportunities for growth and success. Invest in your future and earn a certification today!
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