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What Customers Need to Do to Be HIPAA Compliant? Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users. Assign admin roles only to trusted personnel. Use Microsoft Purview Message Encryption for emails containing PHI. Set up Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies. Store PHI only in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online. Enable audit logging to track access and changes. Configure retention policies for record-keeping. Train staff on secure handling of PHI. Use Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager to monitor compliance. How Customers Can Show They’re Compliant? Maintain internal documentation of all compliance measures. Use Compliance Manager ( https://purview.microsoft.com ) to generate reports. Optionally, engage a third-party auditor for a compliance attestation. Note: Microsoft does not issue a HIPAA compliance certificate, since only you can prove how securely you manage PHI. HIPAA compliance is therefore self-attested, customers must document their own efforts. Microsoft automatically provides a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) when a tenant is created, confirming that Microsoft 365 services protect PHI through encryption, restricted data center access, and non-disclosure of data.

1. Microsoft 365 Business Basic Description: Ideal for small businesses, this plan includes essential productivity tools and cloud services. Features: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox 1 TB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Standard security features 2. Microsoft 365 Business Standard Description: A comprehensive plan for businesses that need full access to Office apps and additional services. Features: Desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox 1 TB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Advanced security features Business-class email, calendar, and contacts 3. Microsoft 365 Business Premium Description: Designed for businesses that require advanced security and device management capabilities. Features: All features of Business Standard Advanced threat protection Device management with Intune Information protection with Azure Information Protection Windows Virtual Desktop access 4. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Description: Perfect for businesses that need Office apps without additional services. Features: Desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps 1 TB of OneDrive storage Standard security features No email hosting or Microsoft Teams 5. Office 365 E1 Description: Aimed at enterprises needing essential productivity services without desktop apps. Features: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox 1 TB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration SharePoint and Yammer for intranet and social networking 6. Office 365 E3 Description: A robust plan for enterprises requiring advanced compliance and security capabilities. Features: Desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 100 GB mailbox Unlimited OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Advanced compliance tools Data loss prevention (DLP) and encryption 7. Office 365 E5 Description: The most comprehensive plan, offering advanced security, analytics, and voice capabilities. Features: All features of Office 365 E3 Advanced threat protection Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Advanced compliance and analytics tools Microsoft Teams Phone System and Audio Conferencing 8. Microsoft 365 F1 Description: Tailored for frontline workers who need productivity tools on the go. Features: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 2 GB mailbox 2 GB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Basic security features 9. Microsoft 365 F3 Description: Designed for frontline workers who need more advanced tools and capabilities. Features: All features of Microsoft 365 F1 Desktop versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 2 GB mailbox 2 GB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Advanced security features 10. Microsoft 365 F5 Description: Provides additional security and compliance features for frontline workers. Features: All features of Microsoft 365 F3 Advanced threat protection Information protection with Azure Information Protection Compliance management 11. Exchange Online Plan 1 Description: A cost-effective email solution for businesses. Features: 50 GB mailbox per user Outlook on the web Anti-malware and anti-spam protection In-Place Archive 12. Exchange Online Plan 2 Description: Enhanced email solution with additional features. Features: 100 GB mailbox per user All features of Plan 1 Data loss prevention (DLP) Hosted voicemail 13. OneDrive Plan 1 Description: Basic cloud storage solution for businesses. Features: 1 TB of storage per user File sharing and collaboration Standard security features 14. OneDrive Plan 2 Description: Advanced cloud storage solution with additional features. Features: Unlimited storage All features of Plan 1 Advanced data loss prevention (DLP) File auditing and data retention 15. Visio Plan 1 Description: Basic diagramming tool for creating professional diagrams. Features: Web and desktop apps Basic templates and shapes Collaboration tools 16. Visio Plan 2 Description: Comprehensive diagramming tool with advanced features. Features: All features of Plan 1 Advanced templates and shapes Data connectivity and integration with Power BI AutoCAD support 17. PowerApps Per App Plan Description: Allows individual users to run one application or one portal. Features: Build and run custom apps Use prebuilt and custom connectors Access to Microsoft Dataverse 18. PowerApps Per User Plan Description: Enables users to build and run unlimited applications. Features: Unlimited apps and portals Advanced AI capabilities Access to Microsoft Dataverse 19. Power BI Pro Description: Essential business intelligence tool for creating and sharing reports. Features: Create and publish reports Collaborate and share insights Access to Power BI service 20. Power BI Premium Per User Description: Advanced business intelligence tool with additional features. Features: All features of Power BI Pro Advanced AI capabilities Dataflows and paginated reports 21. Power BI Premium Per Capacity Description: Enterprise-level business intelligence solution. Features: Dedicated cloud resources Advanced data analytics Unlimited content sharing Conclusion Choosing the right Microsoft 365 subscription depends on your organization’s specific needs and budget. Whether you’re a small business, a large enterprise, or an educational institution, Microsoft 365 offers a plan that can enhance productivity, collaboration, and security. Note: This blog does not include Microsoft Teams licenses because there is a dedicated blog for it. Click here to get redirect to Microsoft Teams licenses blog

Encryption is the process by which information is encoded so that only an authorized recipient can decode and consume the information. Microsoft 365 uses encryption in two ways: in the service itself and as a customer control. In the Service Microsoft uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) by default to encrypt connections between servers, ensuring secure communication within the service. This is part of the built-in encryption that Microsoft 365 provides without requiring any additional configuration from the user. For example, Microsoft 365 uses TLS to encrypt the connection, or session, between two servers. Customer Control Microsoft Purview Message Encryption is a customer control that allows organizations to encrypt email messages and apply additional protection policies. This feature requires configuration by the customer to set up and manage encryption policies according to their specific needs. How Email Encryption Works Encryption : A message is encrypted, transforming it from plain text into unreadable ciphertext. This can happen either on the sender's machine or by a central server while the message is in transit. In Transit : The message remains in ciphertext while it's in transit to protect it from being read if intercepted. Decryption : Once the message is received by the recipient, it is transformed back into readable plain text in one of two ways: The recipient's machine uses a key to decrypt the message. A central server decrypts the message on behalf of the recipient after validating the recipient's identity. The Evolution of Email Encryption Before the introduction of Microsoft Purview Message Encryption, Microsoft offered two primary methods for securing emails: Office 365 Message Encryption (OME) and Information Rights Management (IRM). Office 365 Message Encryption (OME) : Designed to encrypt emails with options like "Do Not Forward" and "Encrypt-Only" to control access. Information Rights Management (IRM) : Applied additional usage restrictions, such as preventing recipients from forwarding, copying, printing, and editing the encrypted email. OME and IRM are not deprecated. While OME can still be applied through mail flow rules in the Exchange admin center, the Encrypt button in Outlook is now exclusively available with Microsoft Purview Message Encryption. This button uses IRM and allows users to apply encryption and usage restrictions directly from the email interface. A Unified Approach In April 2022, Microsoft unveiled the Microsoft Purview suite, which includes the Microsoft Purview Message Encryption. This new service combines the capabilities of OME and IRM, providing a comprehensive solution for email encryption and rights management. Microsoft Purview Message Encryption combine the capabilities of both OME and IRM into a single, unified solution. This integration enhances the user experience, allowing them to easily encrypt and protect their emails with the rights management features of IRM. Built on Azure Rights Management Services (Azure RMS) Azure Rights Management Services (Azure RMS) is a component of Azure Information Protection. In the background, Microsoft Purview Encryption uses Azure RMS to manage encryption keys and policies. When a user sends an encrypted email, Azure RMS applies the appropriate encryption rules and manages the decryption process for authorized recipients. Azure RMS also powers the IRM features within Microsoft 365 applications, helping to prevent sensitive information from being printed, forwarded, or copied by unauthorized people. Encryption Technologies Microsoft Purview Message Encryption leverages several encryption technologies to ensure robust protection for data at rest and in transit: Transport Layer Security (TLS) : Encrypts data in transit between servers. Microsoft 365 stopped supporting TLS 1.0 and 1.1 on October 31, 2018, and completed disabling TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in all environments since 2022. To maintain a secure connection to Microsoft 365 services, all client-server and browser-server combinations use TLS 1.2 and modern cipher suites. IPSec : In the context of Microsoft Purview Message Encryption, IPSec is not directly used for encrypting email messages. Instead, Microsoft Purview Message Encryption relies on Azure RMS to provide encryption, identity, and authorization policies. However, IPSec can be used to secure the network connections over which these encrypted emails are transmitted, ensuring that the data remains protected during transit. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) : The primary cipher used for encrypting emails is AES with a 256-bit key length in Cipher Block Chaining mode (AES256-CBC). By October 2023, AES256-CBC will be the default for encryption of Microsoft 365 Apps documents and emails. Encryption of Data at Rest : In Microsoft 365, email data at rest is encrypted using BitLocker Drive Encryption. BitLocker encrypts the hard drives in Microsoft data centers to provide enhanced protection against unauthorized access. You can also use third-party encryption tools with Microsoft 365, such as PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). Microsoft 365 does not support PGP/MIME, and you can only use PGP/Inline to send and receive PGP-encrypted emails. Subscription Plans Microsoft Purview Message Encryption is included in the following subscription plans: Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E5 Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 and E5 Microsoft 365 Business Premium Office 365 A1, A3, and A5 Office 365 Government G3 and G5 Activation and Configuration You do not need to perform any manual configuration to enable Microsoft Purview Message Encryption for your users. Once you assign them one of the above subscriptions with the Microsoft Purview Message Encryption feature, all required features and services should automatically be enabled and ready to use. However, since Microsoft Purview Message Encryption works on Azure RMS, you will need to ensure Azure RMS is active in your tenant. Azure RMS is also activated automatically for most subscriptions, so you probably don't have to do anything in this regard either. If you disabled Azure RMS, or if it was not automatically activated for any reason, you can activate it manually. You must use PowerShell to activate the Azure RMS service. You can no longer activate or deactivate this service from the Azure portal. Run Get-AipService to confirm whether the protection service is activated. To activate the service, run Enable-AipService You can verify that your Microsoft 365 tenant is properly configured to use Microsoft Purview Message Encryption using the Exchange Online PowerShell module. Run the Get-IRMConfiguration You should see a value of $True for the AzureRMSLicensingEnabled parameter, which indicates that Microsoft Purview Message Encryption is configured in your tenant. If it is not, use Set-IRMConfiguration to set the value of AzureRMSLicensingEnabled to $True to enable Microsoft Purview Message Encryption. Run the Test-IRMConfiguration cmdlet using the following syntax: Test-IRMConfiguration [-Sender -Recipient ] Example: Test-IRMConfiguration -Sender securityadmin@contoso.com -Recipient securityadmin@contoso.com For sender and recipient, use the email address of any user in your Microsoft 365 tenant. Your results should be similar to: Results : Acquiring RMS Templates ... - PASS: RMS Templates acquired. Templates available: Contoso - Confidential View Only, Contoso - Confidential, Do Not Forward. Verifying encryption ... - PASS: Encryption verified successfully. Verifying decryption ... - PASS: Decryption verified successfully. Verifying IRM is enabled ... - PASS: IRM verified successfully. OVERALL RESULT: PASS Your organization name will replace Contoso and the default template names may be different from those displayed above. Troubleshooting If the test fails with an error message "Failed to acquire RMS templates," execute the following cmdlets in the AIPService module in the specified order: $RMSConfig = Get-AipServiceConfiguration $LicenseUri = $RMSConfig.LicensingIntranetDistributionPointUrl Set-IRMConfiguration -LicensingLocation $LicenseUri Set-IRMConfiguration -InternalLicensingEnabled $true Run the Test-IRMConfiguration cmdlet again to verify that it passes. Microsoft Purview Advanced Message Encryption So far, we have been talking about Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (Basic). There is also Microsoft Purview Advanced Message Encryption. Microsoft Purview Advanced Message Encryption is included in: Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5 Office 365 E5 Microsoft 365 E5 (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) Office 365 Enterprise E5 (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) Office 365 Education A5. If your organization has a subscription that does not include Microsoft Purview Advanced Message Encryption, you can purchase it with: Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance SKU add-on for Microsoft 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 E3 (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) Office 365 Advanced Compliance SKU add-on for Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E3 (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) and Office 365 SKUs Microsoft 365 E5/A5 Information Protection and Governance SKU add-on for Microsoft 365 A3/E3. Differences in Features Between Microsoft Purview Message Encryption and Advanced Message Encryption: Microsoft Purview Advanced Message Encryption includes all the features of Microsoft Purview Message Encryption, plus several advanced capabilities. Here are the additional features: Automatic Policies: Configure policies to automatically encrypt emails containing sensitive information such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial data, or health records. Expiration and Revocation: Set expiration dates for encrypted emails and revoke access to them at any time, providing additional control over sensitive information. Tracking and Reporting: Track activities related to encrypted emails through access logs, ensuring compliance and security. Multiple Branding Templates: Use multiple branding templates for customized email experiences, enhancing the recipient's experience. Alternative Options: If you cannot use Microsoft Purview Message Encryption for some reason, you can consider the following alternatives: Varonis Data Security Platform Virtru Email Encryption Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Druva Data Security Cloud S/MIME S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is completely separate from Microsoft Purview Message Encryption and is its own method of sending encrypted emails. In addition to encrypting emails, it also digitally signs them so the recipients can verify the sender's identity. If you want to encrypt emails using the S/MIME method when sending emails from your Microsoft 365 email account (Exchange Online), you do not need to purchase any add-on license or specific Microsoft 365 subscriptions. You only need to purchase an S/MIME certificate from any Certificate Authority (CA) or set up your own CA within your organization. You can then set up S/MIME in users' Outlook desktop app or Outlook on the web. Please note: Recipients should also have S/MIME configured on their end to read your encrypted email using this method.

Introduction Welcome to our blog! Today, we’re diving into the world of Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant designed to make your life easier by helping you with various tasks. Whether you’re a business professional, a student, or just someone looking to boost productivity, there’s a Copilot for you. Let’s explore the different types of Copilot, the products they work with, and the subscriptions you might need. AI Architecture Microsoft Copilot now uses GPT-4o, the latest version of OpenAI’s language model. This upgrade enhances Copilot’s performance, providing more accurate and faster responses across various applications. The transition to GPT-4o means that users can expect improved precision and efficiency in tasks such as drafting documents, analyzing data, and managing emails. Microsoft Copilot leverages a sophisticated AI architecture that combines several key components to deliver its powerful capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the architecture: Core Components of Microsoft Copilot’s AI Architecture: Large Language Models (LLMs) : At the heart of Copilot are fine-tuned versions of OpenAI’s models. These models are capable of understanding and generating human-like text, enabling Copilot to perform a wide range of tasks from drafting documents to summarizing information. Microsoft Graph : This is a crucial element that connects Copilot with your data across Microsoft 365 apps. It includes your emails, calendar events, chats, documents, and more. The Microsoft Graph helps Copilot provide personalized, relevant, and actionable insights based on your data. Semantic Index : This component creates a sophisticated map of your data, identifying relationships and connections. It enhances Copilot’s ability to understand the context and provide more accurate and relevant responses. Azure OpenAI Infrastructure : Copilot utilizes the Azure OpenAI infrastructure, which provides the computational power and scalability needed to run large AI models efficiently. This infrastructure is also available to developers for building their own AI applications. Copilot Stack : The Copilot Stack consists of four interconnected layers: User Experience : The interface through which users interact with Copilot. Orchestration : Manages the flow of information between different components. Execution : Executes the AI models and processes the data. Foundation Models : The underlying AI models that power Copilot’s capabilities. Security and Privacy : Microsoft ensures that all data processed by Copilot is secure and compliant with existing privacy policies. Your data remains within the Microsoft 365 service boundary, and communication between your tenant and Copilot components is encrypted. In summary, Microsoft Copilot uses a combination of advanced AI models, the Microsoft Graph, semantic indexing, and robust infrastructure to deliver a powerful and secure AI assistant experience. Timeline of Language Models Used by Microsoft Copilot GPT-3 : Initial Release: Microsoft began integrating OpenAI’s GPT-3 into its products in 2020 after securing an exclusive license. Usage: GPT-3 was used in early versions of Copilot, providing foundational AI capabilities for text generation and understanding. GPT-3.5 : Transition: In late 2022, Microsoft upgraded Copilot to use GPT-3.5, which offered improved performance and more accurate responses. Usage: This version enhanced the capabilities of Copilot, particularly in handling more complex queries and providing better contextual understanding. GPT-4 : Release: In early 2023, Microsoft transitioned Copilot to GPT-4, significantly boosting its AI capabilities. Usage: GPT-4 provided more advanced natural language processing, enabling Copilot to perform a wider range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency. GPT-4 Turbo : Upgrade: By mid-2023, Copilot was further enhanced with GPT-4 Turbo, a more efficient and faster version of GPT-4. Usage: This upgrade improved response times and allowed for more complex interactions, making Copilot even more powerful and user-friendly. GPT-4o : Current Version: As of late 2024, Microsoft Copilot uses GPT-4o, the latest iteration of OpenAI’s language model. Usage: GPT-4o offers enhanced precision, speed, and contextual understanding, making Copilot a highly effective tool for a wide range of applications. Types of Copilot Microsoft offers several types of Copilot, each tailored to different needs. Some of them are: Copilot for Microsoft 365 : This Copilot integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It helps you draft documents, analyze data, create presentations, and manage emails more efficiently. Copilot in Windows : This version is built into the Windows operating system, assisting with tasks like adjusting settings, writing essays, and even shopping online. GitHub Copilot : Designed for developers, this Copilot helps write code faster and with fewer errors by suggesting code snippets and completing lines of code. Copilot for Sales and Service : These are specialized versions for businesses, helping sales teams close deals and customer service teams provide better support. Security Copilot : Focused on cybersecurity, this Copilot helps detect and respond to threats more effectively. Copilot in Microsoft Edge : Integrated directly into the Edge browser, this Copilot assists with web browsing tasks such as summarizing web pages, answering questions, and providing recommendations based on the content you’re viewing. Products Compatible with Copilot Copilot can be used with a variety of Microsoft products: Microsoft 365 Apps : Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Windows OS : Integrated directly into the operating system. GitHub : For coding and development. Dynamics 365 : For sales and customer service. Microsoft Security Tools : For enhanced cybersecurity. Microsoft Edge : For an enhanced web browsing experience. Microsoft Copilot is available in several other places beyond the above six. Here are some additional areas where you can use Copilot: Exchange Online : Copilot helps manage emails, schedule meetings, and organize your inbox more efficiently. Teams Essentials and Teams Enterprise : Copilot enhances collaboration by summarizing meetings, generating action items, and providing insights during conversations. SharePoint Online : It assists in managing content, automating workflows, and improving collaboration within your organization. Project : Copilot helps with project management tasks, such as planning, scheduling, and tracking progress. OneDrive : It aids in organizing and finding files quickly, as well as providing insights and recommendations based on your stored content. Standalone Copilot App : Microsoft has also launched a standalone Copilot app for both iOS and Android. Subscription Plans Depending on your needs, there are different subscription plans available for Copilot: Free Copilot : Basic features are available for free, allowing you to perform simple tasks like generating text and summarizing documents. Copilot Pro : Offers advanced AI capabilities, including priority access to the latest AI models. It enhances productivity tools by providing more sophisticated text generation, summarization, and data analysis features. Ideal for users who need enhanced AI assistance across various tasks but do not necessarily require full integration with Microsoft 365 apps. Can be purchased by both Microsoft personal account users and business tenants. Microsoft 365 Copilot : Includes all the advanced features of Copilot Pro, plus full integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. This means you get comprehensive AI assistance tailored specifically for these productivity tools. Best for users who heavily rely on Microsoft 365 apps and want seamless AI support across all these platforms. can be purchased by both Microsoft personal account users and business tenants. GitHub Copilot : Available in two plans—Individual and Business. The Individual plan is for personal use, while the Business plan is for organizations and enterprises. Conclusion Microsoft Copilot is a versatile AI assistant that can help you with a wide range of tasks, from writing and coding to managing sales and enhancing cybersecurity. With various types and subscription plans, there’s a Copilot to fit everyone’s needs. Whether you’re looking to boost your productivity at work or streamline your personal tasks, Copilot has got you covered. Feel free to explore the different options and find the perfect Copilot for you! I hope this blog helps you understand the different types of Microsoft Copilot and how they can benefit you. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Welcome to my blog! Today, we’re diving deep into Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-powered assistant designed to supercharge productivity for business and enterprise users. Whether you’re drafting documents, analyzing data, or managing emails, Microsoft 365 Copilot is here to help. Let’s explore what it is, the license requirements, how to set it up, and how to use it effectively. Introduction Microsoft 365 Copilot is an advanced AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It leverages the power of artificial intelligence to assist you with various tasks, making your work faster, easier, and more efficient. Think of it as a smart helper that understands your needs and provides relevant suggestions and insights. License Requirements Microsoft 365 Copilot is available as an add-on plan with one of the following licensing prerequisites: For Business and Enterprise: Microsoft 365 plans: Microsoft 365 E5 Microsoft 365 E3 Microsoft 365 F1 Microsoft 365 F3 Microsoft 365 Business Basic Microsoft 365 Business Premium Microsoft 365 Business Standard Microsoft 365 Apps for business Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Office 365 plans: Office 365 E5 Office 365 E3 Office 365 E1 Office 365 F3 Microsoft Teams plans: Microsoft Teams Essentials Microsoft Teams Enterprise Microsoft Teams EEA (European Economic Area) Exchange plans: Exchange Kiosk Exchange Plan 1 Exchange Plan 2 SharePoint plans: SharePoint Plan 1 SharePoint Plan 2 OneDrive for Business plans: OneDrive for Business Plan 1 OneDrive for Business Plan 2 Planner and Project plans: Microsoft Planner Plan 1 (formerly Project Plan 1) Microsoft Project Plan 3 Microsoft Project Plan 5 Project Online Essentials Visio plans: Visio Plan 1 Visio Plan 2 Other plans: Microsoft ClipChamp For Education Faculty and Higher Education Students Aged 18+: Microsoft 365 A1* Microsoft 365 A3* Microsoft 365 A5* Office 365 A1* Office 365 A3* Office 365 A5* *Available via Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) only. Please note: Customers with Education or Business subscriptions that do not include Teams can still purchase Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses. Network requirements Copilot experiences are deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 applications and often use the same network connections and endpoints that Microsoft 365 apps use. As such, baseline network configuration customers should ensure that Microsoft 365 endpoints are not blocked within their environment and that network setup follows Microsoft 365 network connectivity principles and best practices. In addition to standard Microsoft 365 domains and IPs, there are some extra network endpoints (domains) that Copilot scenarios may need to connect to enable richer integrations (such as Copilot experiences for the Web). Customers should ensure that traffic to these domains is also not blocked by their network solutions: copilot.microsoft.com , *.copilot.microsoft.com *.bing.com, *.bingapis.com challenges.cloudflare.com Using Microsoft 365 Copilot Once set up, using Microsoft 365 Copilot is easy and intuitive. Here’s how you can make the most of it in different apps: Word : Drafting Documents : Start typing your document, and Copilot will suggest completions, corrections, and enhancements. Summarizing Text : Highlight a section of text, and ask Copilot to summarize it for you. Generating Ideas : If you’re stuck, ask Copilot for ideas or outlines to get started. Excel : Data Analysis : Enter your data, and Copilot can help analyze trends, create charts, and suggest formulas. Automating Tasks : Use Copilot to automate repetitive tasks like data entry and formatting. Insights and Recommendations : Get insights on your data and recommendations for improvements. PowerPoint : Creating Presentations : Start with a blank slide, and Copilot can suggest layouts, designs, and content. Enhancing Slides : Improve your slides with Copilot’s suggestions for images, charts, and text. Rehearsing Presentations : Practice your presentation with Copilot’s feedback on pacing and content. Outlook : Managing Emails : Copilot helps you draft emails, organize your inbox, and schedule meetings. Summarizing Conversations : Get summaries of long email threads to quickly catch up. Setting Reminders : Use Copilot to set reminders and follow-ups for important emails. Teams : Meeting Summaries : After a meeting, Copilot can provide a summary and highlight key points. Action Items : Automatically generate action items and assign tasks based on meeting discussions. Collaboration : Enhance team collaboration with real-time suggestions and insights during chats and meetings. Conclusion Microsoft 365 Copilot is a powerful tool that can transform the way your business operates. By integrating AI into your everyday tasks, it helps you save time, reduce errors, and boost productivity. Whether you’re writing a report, analyzing data, creating a presentation, managing emails, or collaborating with your team, Copilot is there to assist you every step of the way. We hope this guide helps you understand and make the most of Microsoft 365 Copilot. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!

Note: In this blog, “organizer” refers to the user who creates and hosts the meeting in Microsoft Teams. Similarly, “participant” refers to the user who has been invited to the meeting. This blog is only for scenarios where participants will be dialing in to the meetings. Dialing-out has its own blog. Introduction Audio conferencing in Microsoft Teams allows participants to join meetings using a phone call. This feature is particularly useful for participants who may not have access to the Teams app or a stable internet connection. All meeting invitations created by the organizer with an Audio Conferencing license will automatically include dial-in information (phone number and conference ID) for participants. Participants can join the meeting by dialing the provided phone number and entering the conference ID in the invitation they have received from the organizer. Licensing Requirements Starting from March 1, 2022, apart from Microsoft 365 E5 and Office 365 E5, there are no other subscriptions that include Audio Conferencing by default. For other plans, such as Microsoft 365 E1, E3, Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, Office 365 E1, E3, and Microsoft Teams Essentials, you would need to purchase the Audio Conferencing add-on separately. Setting Up Audio Conferencing Purchase the Audio Conferencing add-on license for the organizer if required and assign it. (Check the license requirements section) When you assign the Audio Conferencing license to the organizer, Microsoft automatically assigns dial-in phone numbers to your organization. These numbers are typically shared service numbers, which means they can be used by multiple users within your organization. For example, John and Vivek both created a meeting in their Teams. Both meetings might have the same phone number but different conference IDs. This means John and Vivek are sharing the same numbers. Not to worry, John’s participants will not be able to join Vivek’s meeting because they have the conference ID of John’s meeting and not Vivek’s meeting. Purchase Dedicated Phone Numbers (Optional) If you prefer to have dedicated phone numbers, you can purchase and assign them through the Teams admin center. Here’s how you can do it: Navigate to the Teams Admin Center https://admin.teams.microsoft.com/ Go to Voice > Phone numbers Click + Add Give your order a Name and description Select your country or region from drop-down Select either Dedicated conference bridge (Toll) or Dedicated conference bridge (Toll-free) based on your need. If you select toll-free, you will be charged for every participant who calls, and the phone call will be free for participants. If you select toll, you will not be charged, but participants will be charged for the call by their phone operator. Enter Quantity and City Click Next and complete the order wizard. You can assign the number on the same previous page: Voice > Phone number. Using Audio Conferencing Schedule a meeting in Microsoft Teams as you normally would. The meeting invitation will include dial-in information for participants. Participants can join the meeting by dialing the provided phone number and entering the conference ID. This information is included in the meeting invitation. As a meeting organizer, you can manage participants, mute/unmute attendees, and control other aspects of the meeting from the Teams app or the Teams admin center. Conclusion Audio conferencing in Microsoft Teams is a powerful feature that enhances the flexibility and accessibility of your meetings. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set up and use audio conferencing, ensuring that all participants can join meetings regardless of their location or device. Make sure to review the licensing requirements to ensure compliance and take full advantage of this feature.

Microsoft Teams offers a variety of licenses and calling plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different Teams-related licenses and calling plans available, detailing their features and benefits to help you choose the best plan for your organization. Microsoft Teams Licenses 1. Microsoft Teams Essentials Description: A standalone plan for small businesses that need basic Teams functionality. Features: Unlimited group meetings for up to 30 hours 300 participants per meeting 10 GB of cloud storage per user Real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, and polling Meeting recordings with transcripts and live captions (English) Standard security with data encryption 2. Microsoft 365 Business Basic Description: Includes Teams along with essential Microsoft 365 services. Features: All features of Teams Essentials Custom business email ( you@yourbusiness.com ) Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook 1 TB of cloud storage per user Additional apps like Bookings, Planner, and Microsoft Forms Automatic spam and malware filtering 3. Microsoft 365 Business Standard Description: A comprehensive plan for businesses needing full access to Office apps and Teams. Features: All features of Business Basic Desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook Webinars with attendee registration and reporting Collaborative workspaces with Microsoft Loop Video editing and design tools with Clipchamp 4. Microsoft 365 Business Premium Description: Designed for businesses requiring advanced security and device management. Features: All features of Business Standard Advanced threat protection Device management with Intune Information protection with Azure Information Protection Windows Virtual Desktop access 5. Office 365 E1 Description: Aimed at enterprises needing essential productivity services without desktop apps. Features: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox 1 TB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration SharePoint and Yammer for intranet and social networking 6. Office 365 E3 Description: A robust plan for enterprises requiring advanced compliance and security capabilities. Features: Desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 100 GB mailbox Unlimited OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Advanced compliance tools Data loss prevention (DLP) and encryption 7. Office 365 E5 Description: The most comprehensive plan, offering advanced security, analytics, and voice capabilities. Features: All features of Office 365 E3 Advanced threat protection Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Advanced compliance and analytics tools Microsoft Teams Phone System and Audio Conferencing 8. Microsoft 365 F1 Description: Tailored for frontline workers who need productivity tools on the go. Features: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 2 GB mailbox 2 GB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Basic security features 9. Microsoft 365 F3 Description: Designed for frontline workers who need more advanced tools and capabilities. Features: All features of Microsoft 365 F1 Desktop versions of Office apps Email hosting with a 2 GB mailbox 2 GB of OneDrive storage Microsoft Teams for collaboration Advanced security features 10. Microsoft 365 F5 Description: Provides additional security and compliance features for frontline workers. Features: All features of Microsoft 365 F3 Advanced threat protection Information protection with Azure Information Protection Compliance management 11. Microsoft Teams Phone Standard Description: Adds cloud-based telephone services to Teams. Features: Make and receive calls outside your organization Call transfer between devices Voicemail and call transcription Integration with Microsoft 365 apps 12. Microsoft Teams Phone with Calling Plan Description: Includes all features of Teams Phone Standard plus a domestic calling plan. Features: All features of Teams Phone Standard Domestic calling minutes Call queues and auto attendants Enhanced call analytics 13. Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic Description: Enhances meeting experiences for small to medium-sized rooms. Features: Up to 25 rooms for free Inclusive audio and video experiences Standard security features Integration with Teams meetings 14. Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro Description: Provides enterprise-grade security and AI-powered audio and video for larger rooms. Features: All features of Teams Rooms Basic Advanced AI capabilities for audio and video Enhanced security and compliance features Support for larger meeting rooms 15. Microsoft Teams Premium Description: Adds advanced features for more personalized, intelligent, and secure meetings. Features: AI-powered meeting insights and summaries Advanced meeting customization options Enhanced security and compliance tools Integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft Teams Calling Plans Domestic Calling Plan Description: Allows users to make calls within their country. Features: Unlimited incoming minutes Outgoing minutes based on the license purchased (3,000 outgoing minutes per user per month for US customers) Available in multiple countries including the US, UK, Canada, and many European countries 1 2 International Calling Plan Description: Includes both domestic and international minutes for outbound calls. Features: Unlimited incoming minutes Outgoing minutes to 196 countries (3,000 domestic minutes & 600 international minutes per user per month for US customers) Ideal for organizations with global communication needs 2 Pay-As-You-Go Calling Plan Description: Users pay for outgoing calls based on usage. Features: Unlimited incoming minutes Outgoing calls charged per minute No monthly minute allocation Suitable for users with low outgoing call volumes 2 Conclusion Choosing the right Microsoft Teams license and calling plan depends on your organization’s specific needs and budget. Whether you’re a small business, a large enterprise, or have frontline workers, Microsoft Teams offers a plan that can enhance productivity, collaboration, and security.

Introduction Dial-out from Audio Conferencing in Microsoft Teams allows meeting organizers to call out to participants and add them to the meeting. This feature is particularly useful for including participants who may not have received the meeting invitation or who are having trouble joining the meeting. In this blog, we’ll cover the licensing requirements, setup guide, and how to use the dial-out feature effectively. Licensing Requirements Each organizer with an Audio Conferencing license gets 60 minutes per month for dial-out calls to non-premium numbers in Zone A countries and regions. No additional calling plan is required for these calls as long as they stay within the 60-minute limit. These minutes are pooled at the tenant level, meaning all users with an Audio Conferencing license share the total pool of minutes. For example, if your organization has 100 users with Audio Conferencing licenses, you would have a total of 6,000 minutes (100 users x 60 minutes) per month to use for dial-out calls to Zone A countries. Expand for Zone A countries list Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong SAR Hungary India Ireland Italy Japan Luxembourg Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand United Kingdom United States Communication Credits are required if the pooled minutes are exhausted. Dial-out calls to countries and regions not included in the Zone A list, as well as international calls, will also require Communication Credits. Participants DO NOT need a Phone System or Phone Standard license to get the keypad and dial out from a meeting. The dial-out feature in Audio Conferencing only requires the meeting organizer to have an Audio Conferencing license. Participants can use the dial-out feature without needing any additional licenses. Using Dial-Out from Audio Conferencing Schedule a meeting in Microsoft Teams as you normally would. Ensure that the meeting invitation includes dial-in information for participants. During the meeting, go to the Participants pane. Click on Invite someone or dial a number. Enter the phone number of the participant you want to add to the meeting and click Call. The participant will receive a call and can join the meeting by answering it. As a meeting organizer, you can manage participants, mute/unmute attendees, and control other aspects of the meeting from the Teams app or the Teams admin center. Controlling Outbound Calling Restriction Policies for Audio Conferencing In the left navigation, select Users, and then select the display name of the user from the list of available users. Next go to Audio Conferencing, select Edit. Under Dial-out from meetings, select the dial-out restriction option you want. Select Save. Conclusion Dial-out from Audio Conferencing in Microsoft Teams is a valuable feature that enhances the flexibility and accessibility of your meetings. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set up and use the dial-out feature, ensuring that all participants can join meetings regardless of their location or device. Make sure to review the licensing requirements to ensure compliance and take full advantage of this feature.