The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) Task Execution Service (TES) API is a standardized schema and API for describing and executing batch execution tasks 

We’re excited to announce that Nextflow, the powerful workflow management system for data-driven computational pipelines, is now fully supported using Global Alliance for Genomics and Health GA4GH Task Execution Service (TES). This integration will bring seamless scalability, enhanced efficiency, and robust performance to your data processing tasks in the cloud as well as on local compute. 

What is TES? 

Task Execution Service (TES) API is a standardized schema and API for describing and executing batch execution tasks. It provides a common way to submit and manage tasks to a variety of compute environments, including on premises High Performance Compute and High Throughput Computing (HPC/HTC) systems, Cloud computing platforms, and hybrid environments. The TES API is designed to be flexible and extensible, allowing it to be adapted to a wide range of use cases, such as “bringing compute to the data” solutions for federated and distributed data analysis or load balancing across multi-cloud infrastructures. 

Why Nextflow and TES? 

Nextflow in conjunction with TES is an ideal choice for managing computational workflows due to its ability to abstract and simplify the configuration of complex data processing tasks. The standardized TES API offers a unified approach to task execution, ensuring compatibility across various computational environments. This integration not only enhances portability and scalability but also significantly reduces the number of configuration files needed for setting up and managing workflows across various cloud and localcompute environments. This streamlined approach allows researchers and developers to focus more on their core scientific objectives rather than the intricacies of infrastructure management. 

How does it work 

Previously, to run Nextflow pipeline on Azure you must create a config file specifying compute resources to use. By default, Nextflow will use a single compute configuration for all tasks. An example is below: 

process {

executor = ‘azurebatch’

queue = ‘Standard_E2d_v4’

withLabel:process_low {queue = ‘Standard_E2d_v4’}

withLabel:process_medium {queue = ‘Standard_E8d_v4’}

withLabel:process_high {queue = ‘Standard_E16d_v4’}

withLabel:process_high_memory {queue = ‘Standard_E32d_v4’}

}

azure {

storage {

accountName = “<Your storage account name>”

sasToken = “<Your storage account SAS Token>”

}

batch {

location = “<Your location>”

accountName = “<Your batch account name>”

accountKey = “<Your batch account key>”

autoPoolMode = false

allowPoolCreation = true

pools {

Standard_E2d_v4 {

autoScale = true

vmType = ‘Standard_E2d_v4’

vmCount = 2

maxVmCount = 20

}

Standard_E8d_v4 {

autoScale = true

vmType = ‘Standard_E8d_v4’

vmCount = 2

maxVmCount = 20

}

Standard_E16d_v4 {

autoScale = true

vmType = ‘Standard_E16d_v4’

vmCount = 2

maxVmCount = 20

}

Standard_E32d_v4 {

autoScale = true

vmType = ‘Standard_E32d_v4’

vmCount = 2

maxVmCount = 10

}

}

}

}

With the integration of Nextflow and TES we are able to simplify this configuration and allow the native Nextflow compute directives (e.g. cpu, memory, disk) to inform Azure of what type of minimum machine requirements are necessary. TES will look at the Batch quota available as well as the minimal compute requirements to choose the cheapest available compute that meets the minimal requirements for each process. 

plugins {

id ‘nf-ga4gh’

}

process {

executor = ‘tes’

}

azure {

storage {

accountName = “”<Your storage account name>””

accountKey = “<Your storage account key>”

}

}

tes.endpoint= “<Your TES endpoint>”

tes.basicUsername = “<Your TES username>”

tes.basicPassword = “<Your TES password”

How to Get Started 

To help you get up and running quickly, we’re introducing the `nf-hello-gatk` project, a Nextflow pipeline example designed to showcase the powerful capabilities of Nextflow. This pipeline demonstrates how to use Nextflow for genomic data analysis with GATK (Genome Analysis Toolkit), leveraging Azure Batch to scale compute resources efficiently. 

Deploying TES on Azure: Follow the guide to deploy TES on Azure.  
Install Nextflow: Follow the Nextflow installation guide  to set up Nextflow on your local machine or cloud environment. 
Generate the TES Config:Fill out the following config with your own TES and Azure credentials and save as tes.config.  

process {

executor = ‘tes’

}

azure {

storage {

accountName = “”<Your storage account name>””

accountKey = “<Your storage account key>”

}

}

tes.endpoint= “<Your TES endpoint>”

tes.basicUsername = “<Your TES username>”

tes.basicPassword = “<Your TES password”

Execution :

./nextflow run seqeralabs/nf-hello-gatk -c tes.config -w ‘az://work’ –outdir ‘az://outputs’ -r main

After completion all results can be found in the blob container prefix specified by –outdir. 

Enhanced Workflow Management 

With this integration, you can now manage and execute your Nextflow workflows on Azure Batch with greater ease. This includes: 

Automatic Scaling: Dynamically scale compute resources based on your workflow’s demands. 
Cost Efficiency: Optimize your cloud expenditure with Azure Batch’s cost-effective pricing model. 
Seamless Integration: Utilize the TES API for straightforward interaction with Azure Batch. 

 We believe this integration will significantly enhance your data processing capabilities, making it easier to handle large-scale workflows with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Stay tuned for more updates and community contributions as we continue to enhance our support for Nextflow on Azure Batch with TES. 

Acknowledgments:  

We would like to acknowledge the contributions by Liam Beckman from Oregon Health and Science University Computational Biology,  and Ben Sherman, Software engineer at Seqera, that contributed to native support of Nextflow and TES. 

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More 

Hi guys,

I have was hoping if anybody can help guide me on how I can purchase voucher codes for my organization to take certifications? We are Microsoft partners with 2 designations.

Thanks,

​Hi guys, I have was hoping if anybody can help guide me on how I can purchase voucher codes for my organization to take certifications? We are Microsoft partners with 2 designations. Thanks,  Read More

​

Dear All,

I have completed my modules and am still on level 4 with a few points to finish. Please help because I don’t know what is left and there’s not even a support page in the course learning path to help with such. Who do I ask about this? If I’m done with all my modules, don’t I then receive my certificate? I’m even frustrated.

​Dear All,I have completed my modules and am still on level 4 with a few points to finish. Please help because I don’t know what is left and there’s not even a support page in the course learning path to help with such. Who do I ask about this? If I’m done with all my modules, don’t I then receive my certificate? I’m even frustrated.  Read More

​

Today  Microsoft is excited to announce that the new VDI solution for Teams on Azure Virtual Desktops/Windows 365 environments is generally available.

As explained in our previous blog, this new architecture brings the Teams’ user experience to a closer alignment between physical and virtual desktops.

By introducing a new media engine (same one used by the Teams native Windows app) that is decoupled from the Remote Desktop client, and always up to date, we can introduce features faster without requiring VDI infrastructure upgrades.

As part of the release activities, we wanted to provide an F.A.Q based on all the interactions we had with customers during the public preview phase, so all IT Admins can benefit from this curated summary of typical questions.

What are the critical new components?

First, an up-to-date new version of Teams (24193.1904.3031.6050 or higher).

Second, an up-to-date version of the Remote Desktop client or Windows App for Windows endpoints, that bundle a component called “the plugin”, a small dll (~230 KB) that terminates a virtual channel and downloads the third and last component, the media engine (called “SlimCore”).

Do we need to deploy the WebRTC-based optimization as a pre-requisite to get the new SlimCore-based optimization?

No. You can deploy the new SlimCore-based optimization directly (in other words, the WebRTC Redirector Service and IsWVDEnvironment regkey are not needed on the RD Host for the new optimization, but you could/should leave them if you have endpoints that don’t support the new optimization).

What are the benefits of the new optimization based on SlimCore?

More features (full list here), performance improvements (lower resource consumption on the endpoint, faster call set up times, higher resolutions, new codecs and more), auto-updates thanks to a decoupled architecture from your VDI environment, and streamlined support for any Teams issue.

Does the plugin installation need admin rights?

No. The plugin is bundled with the Remote Desktop client MSI or the Windows App MSIX, hence you can choose your preferred installation method (per user, or per machine).

So I don’t need to deploy SlimCore on the endpoint?

Correct! This is all handled transparently by the plugin. The plugin will download SlimCore (~23 MB MSIX package) from Microsoft’s public CDN (https://res.cdn.office.net/*) and silently provision and register it for the user. No admin rights or reboots required on the endpoint.

The plugin will keep up to twelve versions of SlimCore, and clean them up after 6 months. Teams will always instruct the plugin to load the exact version of SlimCore that it needs.

Can multiple SlimCore versions co-exist on the same endpoint?

Yes – up to 12 versions. This is intended so we can provide a faster optimization in case users connect to different VDI environments with different Teams versions (e.g. a persistent and a non-persistent virtual desktop). The SlimCore MSIX packages all have different PackageFamilyName, so that is how they can coexist.  

Use the PowerShell command ‘Get-AppXPackage *SlimCore*’ to enumerate all the versions available on the endpoint.

How frequently are newer versions of the plugin released?

The plugin (MsTeamsPluginAvd.dll) we use for SlimCore-based optimization is designed to be a simple component (hence its small size, ~ 230KB). When compared to the old WebRTC plugin (MsRdcWebRTCAddIn.dll ~ 17MB) this becomes more evident.

MsTeamsPluginAvd has two main tasks, virtual channel establishment and SlimCore download. It also plays a small role in screensharing. The plugin is backwards and forwards compatible with SlimCore versions. In other words, Microsoft will avoid forcing customers to upgrade the plugin (which means you can stay on a specific RD Client or Windows App version, as long as that is still supported).
Some new features might require a new plugin, but again, we will try to avoid that.

How frequently are newer versions of SlimCore released?

Every time there is a new Teams version, which happens once or twice a month.

Check here for more information.

Can you explain again what is ‘auto-updating’ in this new architecture?

First of all, new Teams will automatically update. The release cadence for new Teams is once or twice a month. (Customers with non-persistent VDI environments probably disable auto-update with this registry key, and in that case Admins need to manually update their golden image).

The plugin is bundled with the Remote Desktop or Windows app client, which can also auto-update, but Microsoft will try to avoid newer plugin versions so we don’t have to ask you to upgrade your Remote Desktop or Windows app client.

Lastly, and most importantly, when Teams is upgraded (either automatically or after a golden image update), it will request a new SlimCore version to the plugin. The plugin will then fetch it from Microsoft’s CDN and provision it on the user’s device silently.

What if I have a locked down environment (like a Thin Client) – can I deploy SlimCore on my own?

While we don’t recommend this, there is a way to provision SlimCore packages ‘manually’ (using SCCM or Intune), just like any other MSIX package.

But beware, this is only recommended for specific scenarios (non-persistent VDI) where the endpoint is locked down, and has no internet connection to Microsoft’s public CDN (where SlimCores are hosted).

In order to do this, you must guarantee that SlimCore packages are deployed ahead of time on the endpoints, before you update Teams on the golden image. Otherwise, a newer version of Teams will require a newer version of SlimCore and if it cannot be loaded, the user will be in fallback mode (a.k.a server-side rendering).

Are there any networking changes expected for the new optimization?

Yes. SlimCore handles both media and signaling, hence you must configure your network to allow IDs 11, 12, 47 and 127. It is critical that you also allow UDP 3478 traffic, as signaling will try to leverage UDP for faster call set up times.

Additionally, now you can also apply DSCP markings / QoS on the different modalities (video, audio and screensharing) from Teams Admin Center.

Why is a Teams restart needed to switch between the old and the new optimizations?

A single restart is required because by default, the first launch experience will be on the old WebRTC-based optimization. Then, in the background, Teams will try to open a virtual channel and if there is a plugin on the user’s device, the next time Teams is restarted it will attempt to use SlimCore (the new architecture).

What about the Administrator? Any changes in supportability?

Numerous improvements have been made. Teams Admin Center can now display full information about the ongoing call made from VDI, and Call Quality Dashboard can be leveraged to create custom reports.

The VM’s  Event Viewer is capturing all the error codes that happen on the endpoint, and we are exposing their meaning on this table.
But that is not all – we have more coming soon.

What happens if the user roams between devices that support and don’t support the new optimization  yet (e.g. Windows to MAC) ?

Session roaming and reconnections are described here. To prevent the user from ending up in a non-optimized mode, we are rolling out a new ‘restart dialogue’ that will prompt the user to restart the app and get optimized with the old WebRTC-based solution.

Is there a way to disable the new optimization?

By default it is enabled (Org-wide level). You can disable it using this PowerShell policy, and control the rollout by re-enabling it at a user-group level.

When will Mac and Linux endpoints be supported?

Stay tuned for the announcements in the public roadmap.

When will the legacy WebRTC optimization be deprecated?

Microsoft will review the EOS/EOL timelines soon and announcements will be made through Message Center Posts. No new features are planned for WebRTC-based optimization (only security and critical bug fixes).

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More 

I cannot get into my email account as the offer for free outlook is too big to close.  I’m not computer illiterate and can’t change the size of my page to see how to do this.  Please help!

​I cannot get into my email account as the offer for free outlook is too big to close.  I’m not computer illiterate and can’t change the size of my page to see how to do this.  Please help!  Read More

​

When use ‘Page send as email’ functionality the header is missed in the email. Only content is available.

any solution?

​When use ‘Page send as email’ functionality the header is missed in the email. Only content is available. any solution?  Read More

​

Is there a way to unite data across two brands/domains so that Copilot for 365 can access my email and calendar for both domains? (See details below)

I have two domains rolled into my 365 E3 subscription:

Girl Friday Virtual Office – assigned to Copilot for 365 and my E3 licenses (Parent organization)Bold Moves Boss – assigned to Microsoft 365 business basic license (Child organization)

I’ve had Girl Friday Virtual Office since 2011 so there’s a lot of data stored across my E3 environment. Bold Moves Boss launched in 2021 when I rebranded, but I save all documents to OneDrive for Girl Friday Virtual Office.

Current use cases:

Girl Friday Virtual Office manages all the “operations”, data storage, and accounting for my business.Bold Moves Boss manages all the meetings and email communication for my business.

Challenge:

Although my Girl Friday Virtual Office username is a delegate on my Bold Moves Boss calendar, Copilot doesn’t appear to be able to access calendar data for Bold Moves Boss.Although I save emails and forward emails from Bold Moves Boss into my Girl Friday Virtual Office account, Copilot doesn’t appear to be able to locate that information. I believe it’s because the “from” email is my Bold Moves Boss email address instead of my client’s email address.

I want Copilot to be able to access data across both accounts. Purchasing a Copilot for 365 license for my Bold Moves Boss account won’t allow me to do that – I’d have 2 Copilot models that can’t talk to each other.

​Is there a way to unite data across two brands/domains so that Copilot for 365 can access my email and calendar for both domains? (See details below)I have two domains rolled into my 365 E3 subscription:Girl Friday Virtual Office – assigned to Copilot for 365 and my E3 licenses (Parent organization)Bold Moves Boss – assigned to Microsoft 365 business basic license (Child organization)I’ve had Girl Friday Virtual Office since 2011 so there’s a lot of data stored across my E3 environment. Bold Moves Boss launched in 2021 when I rebranded, but I save all documents to OneDrive for Girl Friday Virtual Office. Current use cases:Girl Friday Virtual Office manages all the “operations”, data storage, and accounting for my business.Bold Moves Boss manages all the meetings and email communication for my business.Challenge:Although my Girl Friday Virtual Office username is a delegate on my Bold Moves Boss calendar, Copilot doesn’t appear to be able to access calendar data for Bold Moves Boss.Although I save emails and forward emails from Bold Moves Boss into my Girl Friday Virtual Office account, Copilot doesn’t appear to be able to locate that information. I believe it’s because the “from” email is my Bold Moves Boss email address instead of my client’s email address.I want Copilot to be able to access data across both accounts. Purchasing a Copilot for 365 license for my Bold Moves Boss account won’t allow me to do that – I’d have 2 Copilot models that can’t talk to each other.   Read More

​

Hi all. Im looking for the “MS official response’ on this simple scenario:

I create a sitelink between 2 Active Directory Sites and KCC internally auto creates object connections between dessignated domain controllers /Bridgeheadservers on each of those sites, and then DCs replicate. Everything is cool.

But what should happen with those object connections when I manually delete the sitelink because i dont want the sites to replicate no more?  Should KCC should remove them after x period of time or should I manually removed them? 
Im getting different answers and just looking for the official response, since my on lab testings the auto obj connections in both sites are NOT getting removed by KCC after Sitelink deletion and I dont know if that’s by design or not. 

Thanks 

​Hi all. Im looking for the “MS official response’ on this simple scenario:I create a sitelink between 2 Active Directory Sites and KCC internally auto creates object connections between dessignated domain controllers /Bridgeheadservers on each of those sites, and then DCs replicate. Everything is cool.But what should happen with those object connections when I manually delete the sitelink because i dont want the sites to replicate no more?  Should KCC should remove them after x period of time or should I manually removed them? Im getting different answers and just looking for the official response, since my on lab testings the auto obj connections in both sites are NOT getting removed by KCC after Sitelink deletion and I dont know if that’s by design or not. Thanks   Read More

​

Customer service excellence is crucial for building strong relationships and fostering loyalty. In today’s fast-paced world, effectively managing customer interactions can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Copilot is here to assist you in streamlining your processes, ensuring that all of your customers feel valued and heard.

In this week’s productivity series, we will share four essential tips to use Copilot for elevating your customer service process. From searching past interactions to drafting thoughtful follow-ups, these tips will help you save time and improve the quality of your customer interactions.

Tip 1: Search Copilot for Previous Customer Interactions

Understanding your customer’s history is key to providing a personalized service. Use Copilot to quickly search for past interactions and gather context before engaging with your customer. In Outlook, simply navigate to the Copilot icon in the upper right corner and click it. Then, enter a prompt like, “Find all emails and notes related to [Customer’s Name].” Copilot will provide a summary of all previous interactions, enabling you to tailor your responses and show your customers that you value their history with your company.

An image of the Copilot icon in the Outlook app.

An image of the Copilot chatbot with prompts.

An image of Copilot generating a response.

Tip 2: Use Copilot in Teams to Transcribe the Meeting

Meetings hold valuable customer information, but it’s easy to miss important details. Ensure that no critical point is overlooked by using Copilot in Teams to transcribe your meetings. During a Teams meeting, click on the Copilot icon and select “Start transcription.” This feature allows you to capture everything discussed, providing you with a thorough record that can be reviewed later. This ensures accuracy and saves time on note-taking, allowing you to focus on the conversation with your customer.

An image showing where to access Copilot in Teams.

Tip 3: Use Copilot in Teams to Review Meeting Recaps

After recording your meeting, leverage Copilot in Teams to review the recap. Start by accessing the meeting recording in Teams and selecting the Copilot icon. Use a prompt like, “Summarize the key points and action items from today’s meeting.” Copilot will generate a concise summary, which you can then input into your CRM system and use in your follow-up email to your customer.

An image of a Copilot generated response in Teams.

Tip 4: Use Copilot in Outlook to Draft a Thoughtful Follow-Up

A well-crafted follow-up email can make a lasting impression on your customer. With your meeting notes and previous interactions at your fingertips, use Copilot in Outlook to draft a personalized follow-up. Navigate to the Copilot icon in Outlook and select “Draft with Copilot.” Enter a prompt like, “Draft a follow-up email to [Customer’s Name] summarizing our recent meeting and addressing their concerns.” Copilot will generate a thoughtful email draft, which you can then review and personalize further. This not only saves time but also ensures that your follow-ups are prompt and professional.

An image of a sample Copilot in Outlook prompt.

An image of a Copilot generated response in Outlook.

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More 

Hi guys,

I have was hoping if anybody can help guide me on how I can purchase voucher codes for my organization to take certifications? We are Microsoft partners with 2 designations.

Thanks,

​Hi guys, I have was hoping if anybody can help guide me on how I can purchase voucher codes for my organization to take certifications? We are Microsoft partners with 2 designations. Thanks,  Read More

​