Athen Tech Bytes - November 2024 Edition I
Welcome to our latest LinkedIn newsletter! In this edition, we’re bringing you the latest Microsoft updates and features aimed at boosting productivity and collaboration. Whether you’re looking to enhance virtual meetings in Microsoft Teams, automate workflows with Power Platform, or leverage new AI tools, there’s something here for everyone. Stay informed and make the most of these new capabilities to streamline workflows, simplify tasks, and increase efficiency!.
Spotlight
Microsoft Teams Premium Enhancements
Offline Mode for OneDrive
Power BI and Microsoft Fabric Integration
Copilot Agents in SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint
Releases
Copilot Agents in SharePoint: Copilot Agents are here to make your SharePoint experience smarter and more collaborative. These AI-powered assistants help with tasks such as retrieving information, finding resources, and even automating repetitive tasks, creating a seamless flow of knowledge within your organization. This feature is designed to support knowledge sharing and enhance collaboration, making it easier than ever to keep your teams connected and informed.
eSignature Integration: Say goodbye to lengthy signing processes with SharePoint’s new integration with Adobe Acrobat Sign and DocuSign. Now you can send, track, and sign documents directly within SharePoint, streamlining workflows and reducing delays. This feature is particularly useful for contracts, agreements, and other official documents that require multiple approvals, bringing a new level of efficiency to document management.
Design Ideas Feature: Creating visually appealing SharePoint sites is now easier than ever with the Design Ideas feature. This tool provides layout suggestions and design templates tailored to your content, helping you create professional, polished sites with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned SharePoint designer or just getting started, Design Ideas can give your site a sleek, modern look that stands out.
Updates
Microsoft Forms Data Sync: Collecting and analyzing data just became more efficient. Microsoft Forms now syncs data automatically with Excel for the web in SharePoint Online and OneDrive, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. This integration is ideal for surveys, feedback forms, and data collection, helping teams stay organized and make data-driven decisions with ease. Learn more
OCR Support for Hybrid PDFs: SharePoint’s OCR capabilities now extend to hybrid PDFs, which contain both text and images, allowing users to search, extract, and manage document content more effectively. This improvement is especially valuable for teams working with scanned documents or mixed-content files, making document management more seamless and efficient. Learn more
Retirements
SharePoint SendEmail API: The Utility.SendEmail API in SharePoint is being retired. Previously used for sending emails from custom applications or workflows, users are encouraged to switch to alternatives like Power Automate to handle notifications and streamline communication. This change will help improve security and compliance, as well as make email management more consistent across Microsoft’s platforms. Learn more
Microsoft Power Platform
Releases
Power Automate AI Capabilities: Power Automate is getting a major boost with new AI-driven capabilities that allow users to build workflows using natural language. Simply describe what you want the workflow to do, and Power Automate’s AI will guide you through setting it up, making automation accessible even to non-technical users. This update is designed to save time, simplify processes, and encourage more teams to explore the benefits of automation. Learn more
Power Virtual Agents Enhancements: Power Virtual Agents now offer enhanced compatibility with Microsoft Teams and come with a library of templates for creating custom chatbots. These improvements make it easier to set up chatbots for internal support, customer service, or other uses, helping organizations provide faster and more efficient assistance where it’s needed. Learn more
New Features:
Power BI Integration with Microsoft Fabric: Enjoy more powerful analytics with the enhanced integration between Power BI and Microsoft Fabric. This connection enables seamless data flow and real-time replication, making it easier to access and analyze data from multiple sources. With these capabilities, teams can make data-driven decisions faster and more effectively, keeping up with the demands of a data-driven world. Learn more
AI-Assisted Development in Power Apps: Power Apps now includes AI-assisted development tools that simplify app creation with responsive layouts, new controls, and collaborative features. This makes it easier for users of all skill levels to build apps tailored to their specific needs, supporting innovation and problem-solving across the organization. Learn more
Microsoft Teams
New Features:
Teams Premium Enhancements: Teams Premium offers a suite of new tools for better meeting experiences, including AI-driven meeting summaries, advanced protection features, and enhanced webinar support. These updates make virtual collaboration more effective and help ensure that all team members, whether present or not, stay informed. Teams Premium is an invaluable tool for organizations looking to enhance communication and maximize the productivity of remote or hybrid meetings Learn more
Teams Rooms on Windows: Teams Rooms on Windows now features a redesigned interface with new options like the Front Row layout and smart cameras, creating a more immersive meeting experience. These updates bring in-room participants closer to those joining remotely, making virtual meetings feel more connected and productive. Learn more
Retirement:
Legacy Teams App Retirement: The old Teams app for Windows 10 Mobile is being phased out. Microsoft recommends upgrading to the latest version for improved security, performance, and access to new features that make virtual collaboration even better. Learn more
Microsoft OneDrive
New Features
Offline Mode for Web: OneDrive introduces offline mode for the web, enabling users to access and edit files without an internet connection. This feature syncs any changes automatically once you’re back online, making it easier to work on the go or in areas with limited connectivity. It’s a significant upgrade for anyone who relies on OneDrive to manage and access documents in various environments. Learn more
Retirement:
Revoke-SPOUserSession Cmdlet Retirement: The previous command used to revoke user sessions in SharePoint Online is being replaced with a newer, more secure cmdlet. This change enhances session management and adds extra security for organizations, ensuring that user sessions are more effectively managed in a rapidly changing security landscape.
Microsoft Outlook
Updates
AppleScript Support in Outlook for Mac: The new Outlook for Mac now supports AppleScript, allowing users to automate tasks and customize workflows on macOS. This update is perfect for users who want to save time and boost productivity by streamlining common actions and creating custom solutions that fit their unique needs. Learn more
Import/Export Data Files in Outlook for Mac: Outlook for Mac now supports importing and exporting PST and OLM files, making data management and migration between platforms much simpler. This enhancement is ideal for users who need to consolidate data or transition from other email clients, offering a smoother data management experience. Learn more
Retirements
Legacy Outlook Mobile App Retirement: Microsoft is retiring the old Outlook mobile app for Windows 10 Mobile, encouraging users to switch to the latest versions. These updated apps offer improved functionality, security, and a more streamlined user experience, so users can stay connected and organized on the go.
Stay tuned for more updates!
We hope you enjoy these exciting new features and tips, designed to help you work smarter and fully leverage Microsoft’s tools. Stay connected for more insights in our next Tech Bytes edition. Happy reading!