We recently had a meeting (about 20 people) where we broke participants into 3 break out rooms. One participant who joined via his iPhone was able to hear others but unable to unmute himself to speak. He tried going out, then back in again but still no luck. Is this a known issue? Anyone know how to fix this?

​We recently had a meeting (about 20 people) where we broke participants into 3 break out rooms. One participant who joined via his iPhone was able to hear others but unable to unmute himself to speak. He tried going out, then back in again but still no luck. Is this a known issue? Anyone know how to fix this?  Read More

​

By David Frazee

REST API plays a pivotal role in the management of resources on Azure, offering a standardized and methodical approach for handling operations such as create, read, update, and delete (CRUD). The use of HTTP methods, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, in REST API aligns with CRUD operations, making it intuitive for administrators to manipulate resources on Azure. Additionally, REST API supports a range of data formats, including JSON and XML, providing versatility in how data is consumed and transmitted. This is particularly valuable for automating workflows and enabling continuous deployment and integration practices. Focusing on Azure WAF, we’ll examine its REST API integration for configuring rules, monitoring policies, and real-time threat response, vital for maintaining security in fast-paced cloud deployments. This seamless integration not only enhances security but also ensures that the management of security protocols keeps pace with the rapid deployment cycles inherent in modern cloud environments.

​By David Frazee
 
REST API plays a pivotal role in the management of resources on Azure, offering a standardized and methodical approach for handling operations such as create, read, update, and delete (CRUD). The use of HTTP methods, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, in REST API aligns with CRUD operations, making it intuitive for administrators to manipulate resources on Azure. Additionally, REST API supports a range of data formats, including JSON and XML, providing versatility in how data is consumed and transmitted. This is particularly valuable for automating workflows and enabling continuous deployment and integration practices. Focusing on Azure WAF, we’ll examine its REST API integration for configuring rules, monitoring policies, and real-time threat response, vital for maintaining security in fast-paced cloud deployments. This seamless integration not only enhances security but also ensures that the management of security protocols keeps pace with the rapid deployment cycles inherent in modern cloud environments.
 

 
 
Read the full post here: Getting Started with Azure WAF REST API for Azure Front Door: A Step-by-Step Guide

   Read More

​

​Developing your container offer is a webinar offered regularly through the Mastering the Marketplace series. In this webinar, you will learn how to set up and develop the new Azure Container Offer used to deploy containerized solutions as Kubernetes Apps from the Azure Marketplace. 

 
Attendees can also participate in a short Q&A following the session.
 
Below is a list of recently asked questions from this session.
 
Q: Can we use external registry for apps?
A: No, the registry must be in Azure on your tenant. so that Partner Center can see it.
 
Q: Why do we need images to be in ACR? K8s can pull those images from any registry, no?
A: The image in the ACR gets read by marketplace and put into a special marketplace ACR from which it is actually deployed to AKS. The final deployment comes from this marketplace ACR so the image is controlled for security purposes.
 
Q: How do we pass data for nested charts from UI to helm?
A: The data collected during deployment is passed to an ARM template, which then passes those params to the Helm chart using an AKS extension, defined in ARM.
 
Q: How we define array and map data type in UI, and define complex data types?
A: Go here to see all the installation UX elements you can use:
https://portal.azure.com/#blade/Microsoft_Azure_CreateUIDef/SandboxBlade
 
Q: Would you please also share doc which explains how UI data can be mapped to Helm chart?
A: Do the labs here: https://github.com/Azure/mtm-labs/blob/main/container/index.md
Lab 1 has examples of doing what you are asking.
 
Q: Is there a way to upload a JSON file with data for configurationSettings?
A: The Helm charts are embedded in the deployment package. Please refer to https://github.com/Azure-Samples/kubernetes-offer-samples/tree/main/samples for additional information.
 
Q: What is different from kubernetes transactions versus SaaS offers?
A: k8s offers run on an instance in the customer’s Azure environment. SaaS solutions run in the seller’s Azure environment and serve the solution to users from there. For more, see here: https://microsoft.github.io/Mastering-the-Marketplace/biz/select-offer-type/
 
__________________________________________________________
Additional Resources:

Register for the next webinar on Developing your container offers, September 26th at 9:30 am PT.
Register for additional Mastering the Marketplace webinars here.  Read More

​

The “Join Team Meeting” button cannot be clicked. I have already re-installed the Addin “Microsoft Teams Meeting Add-in for Microsoft Office.

​ The “Join Team Meeting” button cannot be clicked. I have already re-installed the Addin “Microsoft Teams Meeting Add-in for Microsoft Office.  Read More

​

Azure OpenAI Service is FedRAMP High

As part of our ongoing effort to deliver the latest AI innovations to our government customers, our team is proud to share the :

Azure OpenAI Service is now approved as a service within the FedRAMP High Authorization for Azure Government. This means that agencies requiring FedRAMP High Authorization can now access these leading AI capabilities within their Azure Government tenant, enabling secure and responsible access to the latest AI technologies while maintaining strict security and compliance requirements.

GPT-4o is now available as part of Azure OpenAI Service for Azure Government and included as part of this latest FedRAMP High Authorization. GPT-4o, engineered for speed and efficiency, is a ground-breaking, multimodal OpenAI model that integrates text, vision, and audio capabilities to transform how users interact with large language models through more natural and engaging experiences.

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC High and DOD targeting Summer 2025

In addition to these exciting updates, we are thrilled to share that Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC High and DOD environments have a target General Availability (GA) date of Summer 2025. This target date is contingent on US Government authorization. Copilot for Microsoft 365 will bring the power of AI to our GCC High and DOD environments, enabling public sector leaders to use advanced AI capabilities to enhance their productivity and mission outcomes. Copilot provides a range of features designed to meet the unique needs of our government customers, including advanced data analysis, automated document generation, and intelligent task management.

Potential use cases for Copilot for Microsoft 365 in the GCC High and DOD environments include:

Enhanced Decision Making, where Copilot can analyze large volumes of data to provide actionable insights and recommendations, helping government agencies make more informed decisions.

Streamlined Operations, where Copilot can automate routine tasks and workflows, freeing up valuable time and resources for more strategic initiatives.

Improved Collaboration, where Copilot can facilitate better communication and collaboration among team members, enabling more efficient and effective project management.

By leveraging the power of AI, Copilot for Microsoft 365 will help our government customers achieve their mission objectives more efficiently and effectively.

Get started with Azure OpenAI Service today in Azure Government by reaching out to you Microsoft account team, or channel partner and discuss how you can start implementing Azure OpenAI Service in your environment workflows. By making Azure OpenAI Service available in the Azure Government cloud, Microsoft remains committed to enabling government transformation with AI. Along with delivering innovations that help drive missions forward, we make AI easy to procure, easy to access, and easy to implement. Microsoft is committed to delivering more advanced AI capabilities across classification levels in the coming months.

We look forward to continuing to support our government customers with the latest AI innovations and helping them achieve their mission objectives. Stay tuned for more updates on Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other exciting developments in the world of AI for government.

This blog was written with support from Copilot for Microsoft 365, my AI assistant for work.

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More 

We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming Oct 2024 anticipated General Availability of Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC subject to US Government authorization. This powerful tool combines large language models (LLMs) with your organization’s data to enhance productivity and innovation in the public sector.

Security and Compliance: Our Top Priority

Security and compliance are at the core of our commitment to public sector customers. Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC is built on the secure foundation of Microsoft 365 GCC, adhering to all existing privacy, security, and compliance commitments.

Data Handling and Privacy: Copilot operates within your Microsoft 365 GCC tenant compliance boundary, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected and that all AI-driven processes are conducted securely. The system is designed to maintain the highest standards of data protection, ensuring compliance with FedRAMP, CJIS, IRS 1075 and other key regulatory frameworks.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC will be delivered with web grounding OFF by default. This is required to help protect US government sensitive information which should not leave the GCC compliance boundary.
Copilot ‘Work Tab’ chats will reason over a GCC user’s Graph data (SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Teams, etc.) an individual has access to. With web grounding OFF, Copilot will not query the web to get live real-time web content. Documentation on admin controls will be provided by GA.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC will be rolled out in two waves, delivering key functionalities upfront and additional features in the following months.

Wave 1 (October 2024):

 Copilot Graph-grounded chat (‘Work Tab’): Quickly access relevant department data, policies, or citizen inquiries without extensive searching. This AI-powered chat feature leverages your organization’s Microsoft 365 data to provide personalized, relevant information and insights directly within your chat experience.
M365 App copilots (Word, Excel, PowerPoint): Embedded within your favorite productivity apps, these intelligent assistants help you craft documents, analyze data, and create presentations faster and with greater precision.
Outlook (Mail and Calendar): Manage citizen communications and interagency meetings efficiently. Copilot in Outlook streamlines email and calendar management by drafting responses, summarizing email threads, and suggesting optimal meeting times.
Teams Chat/Channel Copilot: Enhance collaboration across departments. Integrate AI into your daily team interactions, summarizing threads, and helping manage conversations with contextual awareness.
Intelligent Meeting Recap: Automatically capture key points from important policy discussions or public hearings, capturing crucial details facilitating transparent governance. The Intelligent Meeting Recap feature generates a comprehensive summary of your meetings, including key points, action items, and decisions made.

Wave 2 (March 2025):

The second wave will introduce Copilot in additional services to further streamline workflows:

Teams Meeting Copilot uses AI to enrich your meetings by generating real-time summaries, identifying action items, and tracking follow-ups. Use copilot during a meeting without retaining transcript and ask copilot any questions about the meeting.
OneNote enhances your notetaking by using AI to generate summaries, organize information, and suggest relevant content, helping you efficiently capture and recall key insights without sifting through extensive notes.
Stream automates video content management by generating AI-driven transcripts, summaries, and highlight reels, making it easier to find and share critical information from recorded meetings or training sessions.
Planner simplifies task management by using AI to optimize project timelines, suggest task prioritization, and automatically adjust plans based on real-time changes, ensuring your projects stay on track with minimal manual input.
OneDrive for Business enhances file management by using AI to help you quickly locate, organize, and share documents, ensuring that your team always has access to the most up-to-date information without wasting time on manual searches.
Loop accelerates collaborative work by using AI to help you co-create and organize dynamic content across teams, streamlining project updates, brainstorming sessions, and real-time feedback into cohesive, actionable plans.

These additional tools will deepen AI integration within your organization, enabling more advanced task management, content creation, and collaboration capabilities as you continue your journey toward digital transformation.

Transforming Public Sector Workflows

Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC is designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows across various public sector use cases. Here are some potential public sector use cases to consider:

Policy Analysis: Quickly synthesize vast amounts of data to inform decision-making. For instance, health departments could use Copilot to analyze public health trends and draft evidence-based policy recommendations, allowing them to respond more effectively to emerging issues.
Citizen Services: Improve response times and accuracy in addressing citizen inquiries. Copilot can help draft personalized responses to common questions about government services, permits, or regulations, ensuring that citizens receive timely and accurate information.
Resource Allocation: Optimize budget planning and resource distribution. Finance departments can use Copilot in Excel to perform complex budget scenario analyses and generate easy-to-understand reports for stakeholders, making the budget process more efficient and transparent.
Project Management: Streamline the management of large-scale government initiatives. Copilot can help create project timelines, assign tasks, and generate progress reports, keeping multi-agency efforts on track and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Training and Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate continuous learning within your organization. Use Copilot to create training materials, FAQs, and knowledge bases, ensuring your staff stays up to date with the latest procedures and regulations, and fostering a culture of ongoing professional development.

Support and Resources: Empowering Your Team

We are committed to providing comprehensive support and training resources to ensure effective adoption of Copilot within government workforces. Our readiness and adoption guide for the public sector, along with US Gov-specific Copilot scenarios content, will help you navigate the implementation process.

Documentation and Admin Controls: Detailed documentation and admin controls will be available to help you manage and configure Copilot’s features effectively, ensuring that your deployment aligns with your security policies and operational requirements.
Training and Resources: To facilitate a smooth adoption process, we’d encourage you to connect with your account team and one of our adoption specialists to walk through the resources available to prepare, scope, plan, and deploy Copilot for Microsoft 365.
Some new resources include:

NEW – Copilot for Microsoft 365 – Readiness and Adoption Guide for Public Sector
NEW – US Gov specific Copilot Scenarios content

Videos: Short explainer videos Copilot for Microsoft 365 data security and privacy commitments
Technical Whitepaper: Microsoft 365 – How Microsoft 365 Delivers Trustworthy AI (2024-01)

Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 (current Enterprise Cloud service documentation)
Microsoft Purview data security and compliance protections for generative AI apps
Apply principles of Zero Trust to Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 

Ongoing Support: Our commitment to your success extends beyond the initial deployment. We’re offering ongoing support through Microsoft account teams, channel partners, Microsoft support, and FastTrack, ensuring that you have access to the resources and assistance you need to resolve any issues and maximize the value of Copilot for your organization. Our Government Solutions team will be on hand to provide continuous support and ensure a smooth and successful experience with Copilot.

Looking Ahead: Future Updates and Roadmap

As we approach the release date, we’re committed to working closely with government partners at all levels. Your feedback and insights will be crucial in refining Copilot to meet the unique needs of the public sector.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC represents a significant leap forward in empowering government agencies to work more efficiently and serve the public more effectively. By automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, and enhancing collaboration, Copilot frees up valuable time for public servants to focus on what matters most—improving the lives of citizens.

We invite you to envision how Copilot can transform your agency’s operations. Together, we can harness the power of AI to drive innovation in the public sector, always keeping in mind our shared goal of serving the public good.

Get ready to experience the future of public service with Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 GCC. The future of efficient, data-driven governance is just around the corner.

This blog was written with support from Copilot for Microsoft 365, my AI assistant for work.

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More 

Hi

Trying to add a flow to email reminder 14 days and 7 days from a target date. Keep getting an error in the get items section, but not sure why, could anyone advise where I’ve gone wrong please, much appreciated.

Thanks

Darren

​Hi Trying to add a flow to email reminder 14 days and 7 days from a target date. Keep getting an error in the get items section, but not sure why, could anyone advise where I’ve gone wrong please, much appreciated.ThanksDarren   Read More

​