April 4, 2025 - This week’s notables
Learn about Walkie Talkie Features!
Upcoming Events
We're excited to welcome you—just make sure to set your GPS to 143 Cedar Ln. Glenmoore, PA 19343 (avoid Cedar Ridge Ln) for the best route straight to the fun!
Infrastructure & Support
During our Infrastructure & Support call this week, we discussed an important client concern.
Specifically, how is company data, which may be sensitive depending on the industry, safeguarded when working with a team that includes overseas workers? Moreover, what are the implications if these workers use personal devices?
Although there are methods to protect company data in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) situations, the most effective approach is to implement standard equipment and configuration profiles for all workers. This strategy eliminates reliance on factors that might compromise system and data security.
When it's not feasible to provide a worker with company equipment, Microsoft licensing options can help address security issues. Although this solution may be effective, it does have its vulnerabilities. Primarily, the employee must consent to the company managing certain settings and aspects of their personal computer. This management involves using Azure Intune Device Management to enforce security policies and restrictions on the device, along with the ability to locate, disable, or wipe the device if it is lost or stolen. Additionally, remote access software would be installed to provide technical support and maintain business continuity during issues, and potentially the company's preferred anti-virus software would be added as well. These tools provide the organization with significant access to an employee's device.
Ultimately, the responsibility falls on business leaders to make decisions that safeguard their company's data. In high-risk situations involving Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), it is recommended to exercise maximum caution regarding cybersecurity.
Devices
Did you know that Teams has a walkie talkie feature that transforms your mobile phone into a Push To Talk (PTT) device? Chirp, Chirp!
That's correct! I recently rediscovered this feature and I'm excited to try it out with the Longview Farm Land Management Team, or during Longview Farm events!
Here are the details:
Walkie talkie utilizes Teams channels for communication, allowing users to monitor up to 5 channels simultaneously
Users can pin the walkie talkie app to their Teams app toolbar on their mobile device for easy access
The walkie talkie feature can be turned on and off as needed
Other channel members must be actively using the walkie talkie to receive communications
For more information, check out this guide: Get started with Teams Walkie Talkie - Microsoft Support
Information Radiation
INW has recently renewed its partnership with Microsoft, resulting in our receipt of exciting new licenses for a variety of services! We're enthusiastic about utilizing these tools, not only to support our growing company but to also gain hands-on experience with some truly innovative platforms that offer numerous possible solutions. With enhanced licensing access for Dynamics 365, Project Operations, Human Resources, Project Professional, Visio, and more, we will be diligently exploring and sharing our insights with you here!
We are pleased to inform you that the deployment issues for the Longview Farm and Gallery Event portal have been successfully resolved. The new portal now utilizes the Microsoft Power Pages platform, providing enhanced user-friendliness and broader customization options. Customizations will begin shortly, allowing us to release the new portal to the public.
Additionally, Microsoft subscription price increases took effect on April 1st. We will be reviewing our catalog to ensure that the pricing is updated and accurate.