Integrating the Power Platform with a Content Calendar

In this session, I demonstrate real-world scenarios in which PowerApps and Power Automate are integrated with a content calendar used by communications teams. This session begins exploring the baseline functionality that PowerApps and Power Automate provide to enhance the content calendar and automate review and approval processes for communication teams.

We progress to explore how to enhance review tasks with the Azure Open AI connector available in Power Automate. The Azure Open AI connector can make suggestions on how to update the content to reviewers in line with the review task so that reviewers can leverage AI when completing their review task.

This session focuses on real-world scenarios with the goal of providing features and capabilities that you can immediately apply within your organization.

I've implemented PowerApps and Power Automate to support submitting, reviewing, and approving content in corporate communication team calendars. This session shows a baseline solution for enhancing the calendar with PowerApps and Power Automate. I then use Azure Open AI services to provide reviewers with suggested refinements for text-based communications such as emails and newsletters.

Five Productivity Hacks with PowerApps

Are you looking for ways to increase productivity, automate common tasks, and spend less time on administrative tasks? I will show you five simple PowerApps that have helped me reclaim time and become more productive.

Level Up Your Microsoft Teams Meetings, Live Events, and Webinars

Join us in this session to learn about enhancing the production quality of your Microsoft Teams meetings, live events, and webinars. We explore the latest out-of-box capabilities Microsoft Teams uses to enhance your meetings, live events, and webinars. We also demo and discuss advanced capabilities using third-party products such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS.) Our goal is to share these capabilities with pro-tips we've learned hosting thousands of meetings and live events for conferences of all sizes so that you can level up the production quality of your Teams meetings, live events, and webinars.

PowerApps - No Code Applications for the Citizen Developer

PowerApps is a no code service for building and using custom business apps that connect to your data and work across the web and mobile. In this session we explore common components used in PowerApps and leverage that foundation to build an app connected to multiple data sources, extending data in SharePoint - without writing a line of code!

This session will go beyond an introduction and demonstrate techniques you can apply right away; such as cascading dropdowns, minimizing screens to improve performance and auto-populating forms.

Site Provisioning in SharePoint - Let's Build This

In this session, we explore the foundational components of provisioning sites in SharePoint Online with a focus on Site Designs. We'll build sites in multiple demos to learn the foundational concepts of site scripts and site designs, and conclude the session with a fully provisioned hub site and associated team sites.

This session will empower you with concepts to begin creating your own provisioning services and leave you with the capabilities to get started right away.

Phone a Friend - An Intro to Microsoft Teams for Phone

Is your company planning a phone system replacement? Have you worked with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive and now need to prepare for Microsoft Teams for voice, but don't know where to start? In this session, I provide the foundational knowledge about voice in Microsoft Teams. We'll explore Microsoft Teams voice licenses, core Microsoft Teams voice configurations, hardware options, and best practices to begin a phone system evaluation.

If you've been working with collaboration tools and now need to learn Microsoft Team voice, don't feel alone, come to this session, Phone a Friend and begin your Microsoft Teams voice journey.

For many engineers who have spent their careers working with SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams as a collaboration tool, learning phone systems is new territory. In this session, I provide an intro to Microsoft Teams voice, compare this system to other phone system offerings and discuss key considerations including licensing and handset hardware. My goal is to empower you to explore Microsoft Teams voice solutions with a foundational understanding of the system, key features, and configurations.

Data Defense 101: Building a Strong Foundation for M365 Copilot

Dive into 'Data Defense 101: Building a Strong Foundation for M365 Copilot', a session designed to elevate your data protection strategy. Uncover the essentials of sensitivity labels and DLP policies, and learn how to seamlessly integrate them into your business framework. This session will guide you through the key steps to fortify your organization's data security, ensuring a solid base for leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot. Through practical demonstrations, gain the skills to implement effective data governance measures, enhancing your organizational resilience. Join us to transform your approach to data security and prepare your enterprise for the advanced capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Technical Requirements: This session requires a setup capable of showcasing live demonstrations, including a secure internet connection and screen-sharing facilities for detailed walkthroughs of Microsoft 365 environments.

Target Audience: Specifically tailored for IT Administrators, Business Leaders, CIOs, and Security Teams. The content is crafted to resonate with professionals who are keen on strengthening their organization's data governance in preparation for Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Session Novelty and Relevance: This will be the first public delivery of the session. The content, derived from extensive real-world consulting in M365 environments, is freshly developed with a focus on preparing organizations for Microsoft 365 Copilot, particularly beneficial for those not immediately qualifying for Copilot due to seat requirements.

Practical Focus: Emphasizing hands-on demonstrations, this session translates complex information governance concepts into practical, actionable strategies. Attendees will experience the IT Admin process of setting up policies and see how these policies impact end users.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Preparation: The session places a special emphasis on preparing organizations for Copilot, highlighting the importance of establishing robust information protection and DLP policies in advance.

Preferred Session Duration: A 60-minute slot is ideal to comprehensively cover the topics, including time for practical demonstrations, audience engagement, and a Q&A session to address specific implementation concerns.

Interactive Elements: Incorporating interactive demonstrations and audience Q&A, the session aims to provide a dynamic learning environment, offering real-time insights and solutions to common challenges in data governance and Microsoft 365 Copilot preparation.

The Future of Meetings: Navigating Microsoft Teams Premium's Advanced Features

Step into the future of corporate communication with 'The Future of Meetings: Navigating Microsoft Teams Premium's Advanced Features'. This session is a deep dive into the world of Teams Premium, showcasing its cutting-edge features designed to transform your meeting experiences. We'll explore each feature in detail, discussing its practical applications and benefits for your organization. From setting up advanced meeting options to enhancing end-user engagement, you'll gain insights into the full spectrum of Teams Premium capabilities. Our hands-on demonstrations will guide IT Admins through the configuration process while providing business leaders and corporate communications professionals with a clear view of the user experience. Whether it's about facilitating seamless large-scale webinars or conducting interactive town halls, this session is your roadmap to mastering Microsoft Teams Premium. Join us to unlock the potential of next-generation meetings and propel your organizational communication into a new era of efficiency and engagement.

Technical Requirements: This session will include live demonstrations requiring a stable internet connection, access to a Microsoft Teams Premium environment, and projection capabilities for screen sharing.

Target Audience: Geared towards IT Administrators, Business Leaders, and Corporate Communications/Marketing Professionals. Ideal for those responsible for implementing and managing communication tools within their organizations.

Licensing Focus: We will discuss Teams Premium licensing requirements, helping attendees understand who needs Teams Premium and the cost-benefit analysis involved.

Teams Premium vs. M365 Copilot: The session will delineate the distinct functionalities of Teams Premium in the context of meetings, webinars, and live events, contrasting it with the broader capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Preparation for Teams Premium: Emphasis will be placed on preparing IT Admins for the deployment and management of Teams Premium features, ensuring they are well-equipped to leverage these tools effectively.

Previous Deliveries and Relevance: This session represents the first public delivery of this content, offering fresh, up-to-date insights into the latest Teams Premium features.

Preferred Session Duration: 60 minutes, to accommodate an in-depth exploration of features, licensing details, live demos, and a Q&A segment.

Interactive Elements: The session will include interactive elements like real-time demonstrations and Q&A to engage the audience and address specific implementation queries.

Dial into the Future: Unlocking the Potential of Microsoft Teams Phone

Embark on a transformative journey with 'Dial into the Future: Unlocking the Potential of Microsoft Teams Phone', perfect for those ready to elevate their organization's communication systems. Dive into the essentials of Microsoft Teams voice, exploring its licenses, core configurations, and the strategic reasons for its adoption. Grasp the nuances of Operator Connect versus Direct Routing, and uncover how these choices shape your system's setup. Tackle the integration challenges of analog devices and contact center functionality, ensuring your telephony strategy is comprehensive and future-proof.

The session takes a leap into the future with a detailed look at how Microsoft 365 Copilot seamlessly integrates with Teams Phone, heralding a new era of AI-driven communication efficiency. Discover the latest features such as Voice Isolation, Shared Device support for Android mobile devices, and the innovative SIP Gateway for analog and overhead paging devices. We'll also spotlight cutting-edge advancements like Private Line, Click-to-Call, and External Call Routing, equipping you with the knowledge to harness these technologies for your organization.

Join us in this engaging session to navigate the forefront of telephony innovation, and leave equipped to make confident, informed decisions for your organization's communication upgrade.

Technical Requirements: This session requires a setup for live demonstrations, including a high-speed internet connection and screen-sharing capabilities.

Target Audience: Geared toward SharePoint and Teams Administrators, as well as IT professionals familiar with collaboration tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams, who are now transitioning to or planning for Microsoft Teams Phone implementations.

Content Focus: The session provides a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Teams Phone, covering its licensing, configurations, latest features (like Voice Isolation, Shared Device support, and SIP Gateway), and integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Key topics include Operator Connect vs. Direct Routing and integrating analog devices and contact center functionality.

Session Novelty: This is the first public delivery of this session, offering the latest information and practices in Microsoft Teams Phone technology. I've done sessions in the past that help Admins plan for Microsoft Teams phone. This session is a revised version of that session with a greater emphasis on Operator Connect, key scenarios around analog devices, leveraging mobile, and the new features that make Teams phone more compelling. Of course, I'm including Copilot as there are great capabilities brought to the table with these added features.

Preferred Session Duration: A 60-minute format is recommended to thoroughly cover the topics, including demonstrations, and allow for audience interaction and Q&A.

Session Goals: The aim is to empower attendees with a foundational understanding of Microsoft Teams Phone, highlighting its potential and providing practical knowledge for effective implementation and use in their organizations.

Interactive Elements: The session will include interactive demonstrations of Teams Phone features and an open Q&A segment to engage the audience and address specific practical scenarios.

Five Hacks to Learn PowerApps and Power Automate

Are you new to PowerApps and Power Automate and looking for ways to improve your skills? In this session, I explore five hacks to quickly increase your skills and give you the ability to build apps that leverage dialog windows, wizard-driven forms, and connectors. We'll integrate Power Automate into the solutions and explore tips to combine these hacks, enabling you to build improved apps at the end of the session.

This session is a beginner session with an audience in the 150-250 level. This session was delivered at MPPC but has been updated with additional tips and is supported by a new blog series scheduled for release through the month of December 2022.