Security preview of Microsoft 365 Enterprise

I did an Microsoft 365 Security overview session, combined with demos and quite extensive discussion, with group of IT Pros that work in Public Safety and Judicial Sector. (They are not keen on taking pictures of them, even in compliance with GDPR:))

We did a extensive overview of Microsoft 365 Security features, in four segments - Compliance, Secure Access and Identity, AI and Automation, and Security Operations Center (SOC). Spiced things up with some demos on Compliance Manager, Data Retention and Protection Policies,  Azure AD, Conditional Access, MFA, and Security Center and Sentinel.

I personally liked the Q&A and discussion session we had during the day, it gave u the opportunity to go beyond the slides and demos, and discuss some real life issues they are facing, and how cloud tech can support their efforts.

The presentation can be downloaded on the following link

Workshop: Azure Expert Training (June 12-13, Gothenburg, Sweden)

Another session on Microsoft Azure, this time for our Swedish partners

in Gothenburg. It was a 2 day training for a group of experienced IT Pros. Primary focus of the training is on Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, with demos and hands on labs focusing on predefined scenarios in operating, planning, creating and configuring the IaaS environment.

My colleague Michael Bengtsson did the Welcome and Introduction session, and then I kicked off with Azure Tech track sessions: Azure Subscription/Tenant, Azure Active Directory, Azure Portal, Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Virtual networks and Network Interfaces (incl PIP, VPN, Gateways and Peering), Network Security Groups, Virtual Machines, VM Extensions, Scale and Availability Sets, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager. 

The reminder of the workshop focused on hands on labs on based on Blueprints - WordPress, Acrostics, Remote Desktop Services and CheckPoint.

Kudos to Marie Jofur that made this happen! :)

Workshop: Microsoft Azure Expert Training (March 21-22, Skopje, Macedonia)

Well, it was about time to have this workshop back home. :) With the support and hospitality of Microsoft Macedonia office, we conducted Azure Expert Track training for our local partners in Macedonia. I got a group of 15 eager to learn IT Pros, and during the 2 days we covered the Azure Fundamentals, and dug in to "secrets" of Azure IaaS platform. 

The exercises were mostly part of the Ingram Micro EasyAzure pack - EasyWeb Wordpress, EasyData File Server, EasyBackup Azure, EasyLAMP Ubuntu. This was the first time I use this format, and based on the eval input the audience liked it. We also worked on the RDS Blueprint (SBS Scenario replacement) as well as on CheckPoint NGF Blueprint. The finale was Azure Calculator usage presentation, mixed with solution scenarios discussion and real world problems brainstorming session.

They consumed a lot of information within 2 days, but we still had time to discuss, experiment and think of possible implementations within their customer base.

Workshop: Microsoft Azure Expert Training (March 14-15, Stockholm, Sweden)

 Another session on Microsoft Azure, this time for our Swedish partners. It was a 2 day training at Ingram Micro Sweden offices, with nice cozy weather conditions (it was -10, but feels like was close to -15:). The group was compiled of experienced IT Pros. Primary focus of the training is on Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, with demos and hands on labs focusing on predefined scenarios in operating, planning, creating and configuring the IaaS environment.

Day 1 was focused on Azure Fundamentals: Welcome and introduction, Azure Portal, Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Virtual networks and Network Interfaces (incl PIP, VPN, Gateways and Peering), Network Security Groups, Virtual Machines, VM Extensions, Scale and Availability Sets, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager. We finished strong with deploying WordPress Multi-tier app and Acronis Backup Blueprints.

Day 2, after the wrap up of Day 1 and discussion, was reserved for more Blueprints - Remote Desktop Services (Small Business Server Replacement) and CheckPoint Blueprints. We spiced up things with short presentation on what's new in Microsoft azure or what's coming in near future, as well as Azure Calculator session.


Had quite a few discussion on solution designs, real world problems, and did quite a brainstorming with the group. Looking forward on seeing them progress further in the Azure model and mapping their clients needs to specific workloads and solutions.

Webinars: EasyAzure Blueprints - EasyData

On February 19th, starting at 10:00 (GMT+1), I will be running the 4th in series webinars on Microsoft Azure.

This week, we are going to talk and see demo of Azure Files, a part of the Expansion set of Solution Blueprints. The session is based on EasyData Cloud Folder scenario.

Please use the following link to register for the session:EasyAzure Expansion - Cloud Folder. Session connection link will be set to you afterwards. The link to the presentation and recording will be posted after the event.

More details on the program can be obtained @ http://www.ingrammicrocloud.eu, choose your country location and browse the local content.

For countries not in the list (like Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo use the following link). An simple registration form is being filled prior to download of the files.

Webinars: EasyAzure Blueprints - EasyDR

On February 14th, starting at 10:00 (GMT+1), I will be running the 3rd in series webinars on Microsoft Azure.

This week, we are going to talk and see demo of Azure Site Recovery, a part of the Protection set of Solution Blueprints. The session is based on EasyDR Blueprints (Physical, Hyper-V and VMware).

Please use the following link to connect to the session: EasyAzure Disaster Recovery - Site Recovery

The recording from the session will be posted afterwards.

More details on the program can be obtained @ http://www.ingrammicrocloud.eu, choose your country location and browse the local content.

For countries not in the list (like Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo use the following link). An simple registration form is being filled prior to download of the files.

Webinars: EasyAzure Blueprints

Starting this month, I will be doing series of webinars for CEE, aimed at Ingram Micro partners/re-sellers. The topics covered witl be EasyAzure, which is a set of Blueprints aimed at easy  deployment of Azure IaaS solutions.

They represent a set of easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions in 3 solution areas:

1. Protection
2. Management
3. Expansion

More details on the program can be obtained @ http://www.ingrammicrocloud.eu, choose your country location and browse the local content. For countries not in the list (especially those in the Balkan area), choose Croatia (in English), and than browse and download the content. A simple registration form is being filled prior to download.


The timeline is, every Monday, from 10:00 - 11:00 (GMT+1), covering following topics:

- January 29th: EasyAzure Protection - Backup;
- February 5th: EasyAzure Management  - Audit
- February 14th: EasyAzure Disaster Recovery -Site Recovery Options
- February 19th: EasyAzure Expansion - Cloud Folder

Links to recordings and presentations will be posted  as well.

Workshop: Microsoft Azure Expert Technical Training (20-21 December, Brussels, Belgium)

Wrapped up the last (this year:), 2 days technical training on Azure (Dec 20th - 21st), organized by Ingram Micro Belgium. I got excellent group of experienced IT Pros attending this course. Primary focus is on Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, with demos and hands on labs focusing on predefined scenarios in operating, planning, creating and configuring the infrastructure and services.

Day 1 was focused on Azure Fundamentals: Welcome and introduction, Azure Portal, Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Virtual networks and Network Interfaces (incl PIP, VPN, Gateways and Peering), Network Security Groups, Virtual Machines, VM Extensions, Scale and Availability Sets, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager.

We finished strong with deploying WordPress Multi-tier app and Acronis Backup Blueprints.

Day 2, after the wrap up of Day 1 and discussion, was reserved for more Blueprints - Remote Desktop Services (Small Business Server Replacement) and Barracuda Blueprints.
 
Had quite a few discussion on solution designs, real world problems, and did quite a brainstorming with the group. From technical perspective, they were a great bunch of people. Looking forward on seeing them progress further in the Azure model and mapping their clients needs to specific workloads and solutions.

Well, that was it for this year.

Can't wait what will 2018 bring. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!! :)

Workshop: Microsoft Azure Expert Technical Training (13-16 November, Warsaw, Poland)

Wrapped up the 3 days training on Azure (Nov 13th - 16th), in organized by Ingram Micro Poland. I got excellent mix of IT Pros and Sales people attending this course, including couple of Ingram Micro colleagues. Primary focus is on Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, with demos and hands on labs focusing on predefined scenarios in operating, planning, creating and configuring the infrastructure and services.

Day 1 was focused on Azure Fundamentals: Welcome and introduction, Azure Portal, Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Virtual networks and Network Interfaces (incl PIP, VPN, Gateways and Peering), Network Security Groups, Virtual Machines, VM Extensions, Scale and Availability Sets, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager.

We finished strong with deploying WordPress Multi-tier app and Acronis Backup Blueprints.

Day 2 was reserved for more Blueprints - Remote Desktop Services (Small Business Server Replacement) and CheckPoint Blueprints.

Day 3 was focused more on Business Development Managers Track, focused on the business side of partner transformation, driving business transformation and its impact on the partners, pricing model and how to calculate the cost (Azure Pricing Calculator), as well as comparison with other licensing programs.

Workshop: Microsoft Azure Expert Technical Training (3 days)

Wrapped up the 3 days training on Azure (Sept 5th - Sept 7th), in Microsoft Croatia office, organised by Ingram Micro Croatia. I got excellent mix of IT Pros and Sales people attending this course. Primary focus is on Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, with demos and hands on labs focusing on predefined scenarios in operating, planning, creating and configuring the infrastructure and services.

 Day 1 was focused on Azure Fundamentals: Welcome and introduction, Azure Portal, Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Virtual networks and Network Interfaces (incl PIP, VPN, Gateways and Peering)), Network Security Groups, Virtual Machines, VM Extensions, Scale and Availability Sets, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager.

We finished strong with deploying WordPress Multi-tier app and Acronis Backup Blueprints.

Day 2 was reserved for more Blueprints - Remote Desktop Services(Small Business Server Replacement) and CheckPoint Blueprints.

Day 3 was focused more on Business Development Managers Track, focused on the business side of partner transformation, driving business transformation and its impact on the partners, pricing model and how to calculate the cost (Azure Pricing Calculator), as well as comparison with other licensing programs.

Office 365 webinar

In cooperation with Microsoft Albania, on June 28th (Wednesday), starting from 10 o'clock, I will be conducting an webinar on Office 365 titled: "Office 365 - 365 days of success".

This webinar is about what Office 365 is, how it is structured and how it provides a highly scalable, highly available, cloud platform and how it supports daily business and technology operations. You will also learn about different scenarios of migration and/or coexistence with your customers infrastructure.

It's aimed towards BDM's, TDM's, system integrator's and implementators.

Title: Office 365 - 365 days of success

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 28th, 10:00-11:00

Presentation language: English

Registration URL: https://info.microsoft.com/CE-NoGEP-WBNR-FY17-05May-31-Office365325643_02OnDemandRegistration.html

What’s new in the Windows 10 Creators Update for IT professionals

If you are interested to learn what is new in Windows 10, version 1703 (code name: Creators Update), you can enroll on the webinar on April 27th, that will present the latest imrpovements in:  Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), IT features for management and deployment, Windows Analytics insights, UEFI conversion, mobile application management feature, and improvements in Windows as a service model.

Speakers: Nathan Mercer (Senior Marketing Manager); Michael Niehaus (Director of Product Marketing)
Time: 19:00 - 20:00 (CET)

Registration link: What’s new in the Windows 10 Creators Update for IT professionals

Microsoft Azure Trial Offer

Get in the cloud with this Azure trail offer $25 credit for 12 months when you join IT Pro Cloud Essentials. In addition to that, you can gain access to Azure hands-on experience, targeted educational materials, and access to experts support and guidance.

Click on the following link to gain access to the program: http://msft.social/spFFED.

Great opp for IT Pros to gain access to Microsoft Azure for testing purposes, for a whole year, as well as set of resources for further career development.