We took the stage at Microsoft Inspire 2019 in Las Vegas. Learn more about the session with our COO, KadirCan Toprakçı, here.
We took the stage at Microsoft Inspire 2019 in Las Vegas. Learn more about the session with our COO, KadirCan Toprakçı, here.
In digital transformation processes, integrating these changes into corporate culture and ensuring adoption by employees is just as crucial as modernizing technological infrastructure. Successfully managing organizational change and effectively utilizing new technologies play a pivotal role in an organization’s digital transformation journey. At PEAKUP, we are committed to expanding our expertise to guide our customers through this transformation with the utmost efficiency.
We are proud to announce that we have achieved the ‘Adoption and Change Management Advanced Specialization’ status. This recognition reaffirms our ability to develop tailored strategies and manage organizational change effectively, helping organizations enhance the adoption of Microsoft 365 workloads and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
By addressing end-user readiness for new technologies and providing comprehensive, end-to-end guidance, we enable organizations to maximize the value of their technology investments. Research shows that effective change management makes businesses six times more successful in achieving their goals. With this new specialization, we strengthen our commitment to supporting our customers throughout their digital transformation journey and delivering the best solutions.
With this achievement, we are honored to also hold:
In today’s business world, the significance of teamwork and the effective use of digital collaboration tools is growing rapidly. For organizations to make the most of Microsoft 365 Teamwork solutions, proper configuration and seamless transition processes are crucial. At PEAKUP, we are committed to continuously expanding our expertise to guide our customers through this transformation journey in the best possible way.
We are thrilled to announce that we have achieved the prestigious ‘Teamwork Deployment Advanced Specialization’ status. This new recognition highlights our deep expertise and extensive experience in deploying and configuring Microsoft 365 Teamwork workloads, including Exchange Online, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, and Yammer. With this specialization, we help our customers maximize efficiency from their digital collaboration platforms and support them every step of their transformation journey.
With this new specialization, we are honored to also hold the following:
Microsoft Ignite, one of Microsoft’s largest technology events that brings together developers, select partners, and customers, took place in Chicago from November 19-21, 2024. The event saw over 200,000 registrations and more than 14,000 in-person attendees. Key announcements covered a wide range of topics, including advancements in the Microsoft Copilot Ecosystem, security measures, new devices, and Azure technologies.
At Microsoft Ignite 2024, which featured more than 800 sessions and live demos, we had the opportunity to closely follow the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation. We witnessed many new technology launches firsthand, with a particular focus on updates to Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, and Microsoft Cloud solutions.
The sessions held during the event provided us with valuable insights, especially in the areas of corporate artificial intelligence advancements and data security. By leveraging the knowledge and experience we gained at the event—where we observed Microsoft’s technological vision and its strong emphasis on security—we aim to integrate these learnings into the innovative projects we will develop in the future. Our goal is to contribute to the secure digital transformation of our business partners and help drive a safe transition to artificial intelligence.
DevOps engineering has evolved into a multifaceted profession that addresses the technological demands of modern businesses. Hiring skilled professionals specialized in this field enables organizations to deliver fast, secure, and efficient operational processes. Focusing on these competencies during the recruitment process is essential for building a strong and dependable DevOps team in the long run.
The defining qualities and key attributes of a skilled DevOps engineer can be outlined as follows:
DevOps engineers need to effectively leverage automation tools and scripting expertise to optimize operational workflows. By reducing errors and speeding up processes, automation plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency. Proficiency in scripting languages such as Bash, Python, and Ruby is highly sought after, making candidates stand out during the recruitment process.
Proficiency in Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) tools is a core skill for DevOps engineers. Candidates with hands-on experience in tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, and CircleCI can significantly improve software delivery by streamlining deployment processes.
DevOps engineers with expertise in cloud service providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure have a competitive edge in recruitment. Managing applications and developing infrastructure in cloud environments facilitate seamless global operations for companies.
DevOps engineers need a solid foundation in software development. Skills in reading, debugging, and improving code when necessary enable engineers to collaborate effectively with teams. Experience with widely used languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript provides a significant advantage in the hiring process.
Expertise in tools like Kubernetes and Docker sets DevOps engineers apart in their field. These tools simplify application management while ensuring systems remain secure and scalable. Consequently, knowledge of containerization is a critical asset for DevOps candidates in the recruitment process.
DevOps engineers must be capable of monitoring system performance in real time and resolving issues promptly. Familiarity with tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and the ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) is a strong indicator of competence. Candidates skilled in these tools help maintain system health and performance, ensuring business continuity.
Security has become a top priority in DevOps processes. Engineers with a DevSecOps mindset who can identify vulnerabilities, safeguard data, and ensure network security are highly valued in recruitment. Particularly, candidates with expertise in network security, secure coding practices, and authentication systems play a crucial role in protecting sensitive information.
The key terms that stand out in the DevOps engineering recruitment process include:
By focusing on the right competencies in DevOps engineering recruitment, you not only build a robust technical team but also strengthen your company’s competitive edge by boosting operational efficiency and speeding up time-to-market. Selecting the right candidates can help drive digital transformation within your organization while establishing a secure and sustainable technological foundation.
As the excitement of Microsoft Ignite 2024 continues to unfold, we’re back with more updates straight from Chicago. In our previous article, we explored the Copilot Ecosystem and Windows Updates. In this second part, we’ll dive into groundbreaking advancements in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric.
If you missed the first part, you can catch up here: 🙌
Microsoft Ignite 2024: Key Highlights | Part 1
Now, let’s get started! 🚀
Let’s kick off with two major innovations that are reshaping Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure. These developments are sure to catch the attention of technology teams and developers alike. Here’s what you need to know: 👇
Azure Local represents a monumental step in “cloud everywhere” vision. Built on Azure Arc, this service redefines hybrid and multi-cloud operations by delivering robust infrastructure solutions for critical workloads across industries like retail, manufacturing, and hospitality.
The most striking features introduced with Azure Local:
To make this more relatable, here’s a real-world example:
The Armada company leveraged Azure Local with Starlink connectivity to build a resilient infrastructure that remains operational even in extreme weather.
The progress is nothing short of astonishing!
“Data is the fuel that powers AI”
This is how Microsoft describes data as the cornerstone of AI transformation. Introducing Microsoft Fabric—a platform that has reached over 16,000 customers and is now a choice for 70% of Fortune 500 companies since its launch.
So, what does it mean to redesign data in the age of AI? 👇
In traditional data architecture, operational and analytical data stores are managed as separate services. Microsoft is changing this paradigm with Microsoft Fabric Databases!
Combining daily operational and analytical workloads into a single platform, Fabric Databases offer standout features:
Microsoft’s data shows that using Copilot in Fabric accelerates standard data analysis tasks by 52% and improves accuracy by 36%—a significant leap forward!
With the integration of Microsoft Fabric and SQL Server, Microsoft eliminates boundaries in both analytical and operational data management. This innovation unifies all data types on a single platform, making data management more seamless and efficient than ever for businesses.
We’ve been talking about how each development is rewriting the rules of the game, but once you read about this innovation, you’ll find yourself saying it again: the rules have truly been rewritten. 😯
Azure AI Foundry is one of the most exciting innovations of the day, bringing together the development and management of AI applications under one unified platform and redefining the world of application development from the ground up.
Every new technology brings its own application platform. From the web to mobile, from the cloud to AI, every step of developing AI applications is undergoing a complete transformation.
Azure AI Foundry unifies all of Microsoft’s AI capabilities under one roof, making it easier and more efficient for developers and organizations to bring their AI solutions to life.
Key features include:
“Every developer, the builders, the implementers, the groundbreakers!
The power of AI is yours!”
Have we mentioned how challenging it is to summarize groundbreaking developments in a few sentences? Each topic offers enough material for pages of content, hours of discussion, and countless live demonstrations.
Microsoft is ushering in a new era in the world of AI agents with Azure AI Agents Service, featuring no-code and code-first development approaches, rich integration capabilities, and support for multi-agent frameworks. 👇
As Microsoft Ignite 2024 continues, the announcements keep coming. While we summarize the highlights, the event is still live, unveiling even more exciting developments.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Stay with technology.
Stay with PEAKUP. 🧡
Microsoft Ignite 2024, one of the industry’s most innovative and eagerly awaited events, has officially kicked off in Chicago. Did you catch the first day, where Microsoft partners and tech professionals from around the globe gathered to unveil groundbreaking innovations? 😯 If not, no worries! We’re here to bring you the highlights straight from the heart of the event.
This issue focuses exclusively on Day 1—though we can already tell these topics will be the talk of the tech world for weeks or even months. In Part 1, we’ll dive into the Copilot Ecosystem and Windows Updates, while Part 2 will explore Azure and Microsoft Fabric Innovations.
Ready? Let’s explore the standout moments from an action-packed day! 👇
Just a short while ago, Copilot entered our lives, generating excitement with its gradual evolution. Now, we’re talking about an entire Copilot Ecosystem. Copilot has redefined productivity in the workplace, and today’s discussions highlighted its transformative impact through tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Copilot Actions.
Used by nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies, Microsoft 365 Copilot is reshaping the way employees work. Curious about its impact on a typical workday? Check out this fascinating glimpse:
Imagine a workplace where every employee is supported by a digital assistant, a Copilot. This digital assistant not only alleviates the workload of each employee but also boosts their productivity. What if we also talk about increasing the productivity of these digital assistants by automating repetitive tasks? This is exactly where Copilot Actions comes into play.
The new Copilot Actions can automatically generate an end-of-day report for you, send an email you need to send every Monday on your behalf, and prepare for meetings that happen every Friday.
One of the key approaches that marked the day can be summed up with this statement: “Copilot is the UI for AI.” By seamlessly integrating data and business processes, Copilot eliminates barriers between different business elements and directly enhances collaboration.
Copilot is the tool through which you interact with AI agents, while Copilot Studio is the space where you can easily create, manage, and integrate these agents into Copilot. At this very point, AI agents are being developed for Microsoft 365, making business processes easier than we ever imagined.
New Agents in Microsoft 365
It’s already possible to say that the new agents introduced in Microsoft 365 to boost productivity and transform business processes will provide organizations with a competitive advantage by transforming many departments, including sales, finance, and supply chain. Here are the most prominent Microsoft 365 Agents:
This agent, which provides real-time speech-to-text translation during meetings, eliminates language barriers. It is expected that, by early 2025, this agent will be available in a general preview, with the ability to personalize translations by simulating users’ voices.
This agent quickly answers frequently asked questions related to HR and IT, making it easier for employees to understand their benefits or request new devices. Customized through Copilot Studio to meet the specific needs of companies, the agent is currently in preview.
Facilitator: Takes real-time meeting notes in Teams.
Project Manager: Automates workflows in Microsoft Planner from start to finish. Now in public preview.
AI agents developed for SharePoint, where organizations upload more than two billion files daily, enable employees to access the content they are looking for with just a few clicks. But is more possible? Of course. 👇
These new agents accelerate business processes while improving the employee experience, playing a crucial role in making Copilot a more powerful tool in organizations’ digital transformation journey.
Up until now, the developments we’ve discussed make up about 20% of what we’ll cover. 🚀 Let’s keep the momentum going.
We briefly touched on the benefits and productivity impact of Copilot for teams and employees. Now, let’s shift our perspective and explore how IT professionals are affected by these new developments.
A new management system, equipped with data protection and content management features, has entered the world of artificial intelligence. It provides solutions aligned with company policies, allowing IT teams to safely adopt Copilot and AI agents, thereby enhancing the overall added value.
Planned for general availability in early 2025, this feature will be provided to Copilot customers at no extra cost. It stands out by allowing for seamless management of content, access permissions, and sharing controls.
IT teams, at the heart of AI transformation, will be able to manage who can use Copilot and AI agents. Copilot in the Microsoft 365 admin center is set to be generally available in early 2025, automating time-consuming IT tasks and enhancing tenant management.
One of the most intriguing developments of the day, Copilot Analytics will enable IT teams and leaders to measure the adoption rate of Copilot and its impact on business. Microsoft Viva Insights will be offered for free to Copilot customers, allowing them to analyze performance indicators in areas like sales, finance, and marketing with the Copilot Business Impact Report. Copilot Analytics is expected to be generally available in early 2025.
These innovations aim to enable IT teams to adopt and manage AI technologies more effectively, while providing measurable results to improve business processes.
In the first moments of the day, one topic was emphasized above all others: Security. Microsoft is rolling out new solutions to enhance the Windows platform’s security, protecting data from digital attacks and threats. Here are the key highlights:
Quick Machine Recovery, introduced as part of this enhancement, enables rapid recovery from unexpected outages. It allows administrators to apply targeted fixes via Windows Update, even if the system fails to boot. This solution is expected to be available to the Windows Insider Program in early 2025.
Another key highlight from today’s roundup: Windows 365 Link.
Windows 365 Link is Microsoft’s first Cloud PC device designed specifically for Windows 365, enabling users to securely connect to their Windows desktop via Microsoft Cloud in just a few seconds. Currently in public preview, it is expected to be available in select markets by April 2025.
This innovation aims to enhance both security and efficiency, enabling employees to work in a smoother and safer digital environment, while helping organizations strengthen data security.
The Zero Day Quest event, announced with great excitement earlier today, encourages research into high-impact vulnerabilities in cloud and AI systems. This event expands Microsoft’s existing bug bounty program and offers researchers the chance to win up to $4 million in rewards. More details can be found here.
We’ve reached the end of our blog, where we’ve highlighted some of the key topics from the first day of Microsoft Ignite 2024. In this article, we covered the Copilot Ecosystem and Windows Developments. You can reach our article where we covered Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric developments from here.
Stay with technology.
Stay with PEAKUP. 🧡