Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

Welcome to Episode 410 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast where hosts Jay Leask and Joy Apple are joined by special guest Ben Stegink for a discussion recorded live from the North American Cloud and Collaboration Summit in Branson. In this episode we focus on how organizations must adapt their change management approaches for the Microsoft 365 cloud environment.We discuss the fundamental shift from traditional IT operations, where organizations controlled software update timing, to cloud-based services with continuous updates outside of their control. Jay and Joy emphasize that successful modern IT requires cross-functional teams where IT partners closely with business units, communications, and training departments rather than operating in isolation. We then talk about the need for a shift in governance models to empower business users while requiring IT to balance user control with necessary oversight.Key themes include the importance of ongoing communication and adoption strategies, using tools like Viva Engage communities for peer-to-peer support, and adopting a “yes, and” approach to business requests rather than defaulting to “no.” The episode emphasizes treating technology deployment as an ongoing service relationship rather than a one-time project, which is essential for success in the rapidly evolving cloud environment. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Joy Apple Joy is a Microsoft MVP and Director of Success and Enablement at Orchestry. With years of experience as an information technologist, I’m dedicated to helping organizations implement technology with a purpose-driven, “human-first” approach, ensuring tools like Microsoft 365 empower people to do their best work. Teaching and knowledge-sharing are at the heart of what I do. Whether it’s through volunteering in the Microsoft Community, speaking at events, or writing as the “Joy of SharePoint,” I’m passionate about helping others unlock their potential with modern workplace solutions. Im also a cohost of the Guardians of M365 Governance podcast, where I explore the challenges and rewards of governance, and a columnist for She is Tulsa, a quarterly magazine celebrating impactful stories from my local community. Outside of work, you’ll often find me enjoying live music or discovering new spots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, combining my love of connection and creativity wherever I go. Jay Leask Jay is a Principal Technical Architect at the Washington DC Microsoft Innovation Hub specializing in Modern Work. Jay facilitates discussions on modern IT practices, using 20 years of IT experience to engage customers in solutions design with a focus on increased the value and decreased risk within collaboration investments. His focus over the last 15 years has been on public sector organizations including state, local, and Federal government, as well as education institutions. Links Joy Apple on LinkedIn Connect with Jay Microsoft 365 Change Guide Stay on top of changes in Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 Roadmap About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

In this discussion, experts tackle the critical configuration decisions for Microsoft 365 before deploying Copilot. They focus on preventing oversharing in SharePoint and implementing governance controls for sensitive data. Practical tools and strategies for site management are explored, aiming to optimize how Copilot processes organizational content. There's also a light-hearted segment featuring amusing outdoor anecdotes, providing a refreshing break from the serious tech talk. The conversation highlights the future of file sharing in an evolving digital landscape.

Dive into the fascinating world of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers as the hosts blend humor with tech insights. Discover the challenges of integrating MCP with Azure management and the intricacies of setting up servers safely. They also compare MCP functionalities with Microsoft Security Copilot and share personal stories of using co-pilot agents for productivity. Plus, you'll hear about the valuable resources available, including Docker catalogs, making it a rich discussion for any cloud tech enthusiast.

Dive into the world of AI communications with the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which revolutionizes how large language models function by connecting them to real-time data sources. Discover how MCP makes AI tools more impactful for IT professionals working with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Explore its applications in workflow automation and enhancing user interactions, especially through integrations with popular platforms like Notion and Slack. Plus, hear about personal adventures that set a playful tone before the technical deep dive.

Welcome to Episode 406 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott discuss their recent experiences and thoughts on Microsoft’s Copilot features and agents, specifically focusing on the Researcher and Analyst agents. They share practical applications and benefits of these tools, such as using Researcher for meeting preparations and Analyst for exploring data, summarizing data, and even coming up with python script to use with data. Additionally, they cover the upcoming migration of Microsoft Sentinel to the Defender portal, discussing its implications and potential future changes for other security tools. The episode ends with a teaser about an upcoming discussion on MCPs for AI! Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Introducing Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot Introducing Deep Research in Azure AI Foundry Agent Service Get started with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot Researcher agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot Analyst agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot Get started with Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot New reasoning agents: Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot Planning your move to Microsoft Defender portal for all Microsoft Sentinel customers About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Welcome to Episode 405 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott tackle the increasingly complex world of Microsoft’s notebook ecosystem, exploring the new Copilot notebooks feature and how it relates to existing tools like OneNote and Loop. They break down the confusing landscape where “a notebook is not a notebook unless a notebook is a notebook in the right place.” Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Overview of Copilot Pages and Copilot Notebooks storage | Microsoft Learn Overview of Copilot Pages, Copilot Notebooks, and Loop workspaces permissions Overview of Loop storage | Microsoft Learn Copilot Pages, OneNote, Loop…where should I store my notes and tasks? About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Recent changes to the Microsoft 365 landing page have left many IT professionals reeling. A shift towards a Copilot-centric experience is causing confusion and obsolescence of past training resources. There’s a mix of frustration and nostalgia as users navigate the new interface, facing cumbersome navigation and rebranded tools. The speakers tackle the implications of the redesign and share insights on adapting organizational training for a smoother transition, all while highlighting the need for user feedback on ongoing updates.

Discover the latest advancements from Microsoft Build 2025, including the innovative Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning that personalizes AI interactions. Dive into the humorous mishaps of event planning, showcasing the unpredictability of outdoor gatherings. Learn about AI's role in drafting legal documents and its implications for the workforce. The launch of Microsoft's Entra Agent ID highlights crucial security enhancements for AI in enterprise applications. Plus, explore improvements in Azure infrastructure that focus on performance and sustainability.

Welcome to Episode 402 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have Andrew Connell (AC) joining us once again. If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll recognize AC as a repeat guest and one of the early voices who encouraged us to launch this podcast. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of Microsoft Copilot agents from a bit of a developer’s perspective . We expand on insights from Episode 400 and helping us understand some additional intricacies of how Copilot works under the hood. We’ll break down the different billing models and some limitations in what they provide and why having at least one $30 license is key to unlocking the semantic index. We’ll also explore how Copilot uses semantic indexing to ground responses in your organization’s data, and how it respects user permissions through access control lists. But it’s not all smooth sailing—AC also walks us through some of the current limitations, like missing metadata and large file indexing. He also shares a potential workaround using Azure AI Search for those needing more comprehensive coverage. Finally, we this weeks Microsoft Build Conference and tease a potential future episode where ACw will return to talk about custom Copilot development.   Andrew Connell LinkedIn YouTube BlueSky Newsletter: The Full Stack Dev’s Microsoft 365 Playbook Podcast: Code. Deploy. Go Live. – codedeploygo.live Code. Deploy. Go Live on YouTube Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.   Show Notes Episode 400 – Microsoft 365 Copilot Declarative Agents and Copilot Studio Agent Builder Create Copilot agents in Microsoft 365 Business Chat and Teams Grounding an agent to specific public websites Semantic indexing for Microsoft 365 Copilot Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft 365 Copilot About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Dive into the world of Zero Trust in Microsoft 365. Discover how identity management and Entra ID are vital for security. Learn strategies for securing endpoints, balancing corporate and BYOD policies. Explore the complexities of network traffic and conditional access in a SaaS environment. Uncover the role of Defender for Cloud in managing shadow IT and protecting sensitive data with DLP policies. Gain insights on practical implementation techniques and real-world examples to enhance security postures.