Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

Ben Stegink, Scott Hoag
  • 4.8 (62)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

On the MS Cloud IT Pro Podcast, Scott and Ben discuss the Microsoft Cloud with a focus on IT Pros. They'll discuss the latest in Microsoft 365 and Office 365 News, Azure news and talk about their experiences with managing the Microsoft Cloud as well as interview industry experts on various cloud technology. They'll cover things such as SharePoint, Exchange, Microsoft Teams, PowerShell, Azure, Azure AD, Security, Networking, Storage, and the many other technologies and products that have made their way into the Microsoft 365 suite and Azure. To stay up-to-date on the latest in Microsoft Cloud news and gain some valuable knowledge as you deploy it within your own organization, make sure to tune in every week! Find out more at https://msclouditpro.com.

  1. MAR 13

    Episode 397 – Local LLMs: Why Every Microsoft 365 & Azure Pro Should Explore Them

    Welcome to Episode 397 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Scott and Ben dive into the world of local LLMs—large language models that run entirely on your device. We’re going to explore why more IT pros and developers are experimenting with them, the kinds of models you can run, and how you can integrate them directly into your workflow, including in Visual Studio Code for AI-assisted coding. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Ollama Running LLMs Locally: A Beginner's Guide to Using Ollama open-webui/open-webui LM Studio LM. Studio Model Catalog Why do people like Ollama more than LM Studio? A Starter Guide for Playing with Your Own Local AI! host ALL your AI locally Run your own AI (but private) About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    44 min

  2. FEB 27

    Episode 396 – Lessons from a real-life ransomware attack

    Welcome to Episode 396 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben walks Scott through a ransomware attack on an on-premises VMware environment. As they discuss the attack and the results of it, they also talk through some lessons and considerations that could have helped mitigate such an attack. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes How Long Does It Take for a Hacker to Crack a Password? Default Accounts in VMware vSphere How To Prevent Ransomware Attackers From Taking Over Your ESXi 8.0 Hosts Zero-Day Security Bug Likely Fueling Fortinet Firewall Attacks What is the 3-2-1 backup rule? Ransomware Payment: What Happens if You Pay the Ransom? About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    37 min

  3. FEB 13

    Episode 395 – Getting Started with VDI in Azure with Azure Virtual Desktop

    Welcome to Episode 395 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and how it enables organizations to deliver secure, scalable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in the cloud. Whether you’re looking to modernize remote work, enhance security, or optimize IT costs, AVD provides a flexible solution for accessing virtualized Windows desktops and applications from anywhere.Topics covered include: What is Azure Virtual Desktop? A breakdown of AVD’s features, benefits, and common use cases. Deployment essentials – Setting up host pools, session hosts, and assigning users. Configuration best practices – Managing user profiles with FSLogix and securing AVD with Microsoft Intune. Cost estimation – Key factors affecting pricing and how to optimize expenses. Getting started – Steps to connect via the Remote Desktop client on multiple platforms. Whether you’re an IT admin or just exploring VDI in Azure, this episode is packed with insights to help you get started. Tune in and take your remote desktop strategy to the next level! Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Azure Virtual Desktop documentation Understand and estimate costs for Azure Virtual Desktop Azure Virtual Desktop Azure Virtual Desktop documentation for users Get started with the Remote Desktop client FSLogix for user profiles Managing with Intune Manage the operation system of sessions hosts (with Intune) About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    44 min

  4. JAN 30

    Episode 394 – Prepare your Microsoft 365 Tenant for Copilot Success

    Welcome to Episode 394 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore everything you need to know to get your Microsoft 365 tenant ready for Copilot. From licensing requirements to deployment best practices, we break down the steps to ensure a seamless setup.Key topics include: Understanding Copilot licensing, including E3, E5, and Business Premium options. Ensuring compatibility with Microsoft 365 Apps, OneDrive, Teams, and Outlook. Exploring Copilot’s data protection and auditing architecture to safeguard sensitive information and prevent oversharing. Integrating SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM), now included with Copilot, to enhance collaboration and control. Leveraging Microsoft’s Copilot Control System for managing prompts, sensitivity labels, and security posture. We also cover the newly announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat initiative and the evolving role of AI-driven collaboration tools in business workflows. Whether you’re an IT admin or a decision-maker, this episode provides the insights you need to deploy Copilot successfully and harness its full potential.Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to preparing your organization for the future of AI-powered productivity! Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Copilot for all: Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E3 + SAM licenses Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E5 + SAM licenses Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint Get ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint Advanced Management Copilot Control System explained AI security posture management Microsoft 365 Copilot data protection and auditing architecture Address oversharing concerns in Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment blueprint About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    42 min

  5. JAN 17

    Episode 393 – Microsoft Teams Meeting Room Solutions with Alex Mooney

    Welcome to Episode 393 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben is joined on the show by Alex Mooney from Logitech. The two of them discuss the integration of technology into meetings. They start out discussion AI for transcribing in-person meetings, highlighting some of their benefits and then shift into discussion various meeting room systems for Microsoft Teams. They discuss some of the offerings from Logitech including the Rally Bar Huddle, Rally Bar Mini, and Rally Bar and how they are certified for both Android and Windows to work in different scenarios for building out your Microsoft Teams Room system. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Microsoft Teams Room Microsoft Teams Room Documentation Plan Microsoft Teams Rooms Microsoft Teams Room Devices Logitech Conference Room Systems Request Logitech Demo About Alex With a leadership role at Logitech, Alex has had the exciting opportunity to shape the future of digital workspaces. He's directed major collaborations, including the impactful partnership between Logitech and Microsoft that's driving billions in revenue. These aren't just business deals, they're transformations—helping companies worldwide navigate the ever-changing terrain of technology. Creating and implementing innovative solutions is part of Alex's DNA. Project Ghost, an immersive video conferencing experience, is just one of the many successful initiatives that he's been proud to lead. He's often invited to share my insights on industry trends and strategies at key events and in publications. It's a role he relishes — helping others grasp the opportunities that this rapid era of technological change brings. His focus is always forward, on the potential of what can be achieved together in the fields of collaboration and efficiency. Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexm00ney/ About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    30 min

  6. JAN 3

    Episode 392 – Building Confidence In Your Microsoft Copilot Deployment with AvePoint CTO John Peluso

    Welcome to Episode 392 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben interviews AvePoint CTO John Peluso. Listen in as they discuss Copilot in Microsoft 365 and how to govern and gain insights on your Copilot usage in your organization. Copilot in Microsoft 365 is becoming a critical tool to supporting modern work. As Microsoft continues to iterate and improve on Microsoft Copilot, partners such as AvePoint help to augment the administration and analytics of Copilot adoption in your organization. While Copilot enables your workforce with the tools to their jobs, Microsoft and AvePoint also provide the tools for administrators to empower their workforce quickly in a safe way. Another part of the puzzle of administering Copilot is how do you measure AI adoption in your organization, benchmark your organization against similar organizations, and understand the activity levels and adoption of Copilot? Listen in to hear about how AI tools like Copilot and AI in general can be governed in Microsoft 365 and how you can gain insights into how to approach analyzing Copilot adoption in your organization. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes AvePoint Introduces First-to-Market Benchmarking Data for Microsoft 365 Copilot IT Strategies for Copilot Administration Ignite 2024 - What's new for Microsoft 365 and Copilot admins Ignite 2024: Why nearly 70% of the Fortune 500 now use Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft Ignite 2024: Top Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    31 min

  7. 12/19/2024

    Episode 391 – Remote Desktop and Application Delivery with Kamal Srinivasan from Parallels

    Welcome to Episode 391 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Scott sits down with Kamal Srinivasan from Parallels to talk how you can think about delivering applications and desktops to your users in post-Citrix world. As the traditional “Citrix” model faces disruption, we explore how remote work, hybrid scenarios, and cloud-based computing are redefining how organizations deliver applications and desktops to end users. Key topics include: The shift away from static, on-prem desktops to dynamic, cloud-based compute. How to optimize app delivery by building on top of Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) platform. Bridging the gap between legacy systems and cloud-based solutions, enabling businesses to roll out remote desktop solutions like AVD and Parallels RAS gradually while scaling down on-prem infrastructure. The changing role of IT admins in supporting a workforce that operates anywhere, anytime. Listen in and learn how your organization can streamline operations and empower your workforce with flexible, efficient application and desktop delivery. Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Parallels Parallels RAS Parallels RAS Resources Parallels Secure Workspace Enhance your Azure Virtual Desktop experience with Parallels RAS Windows 365 Link Episode 390: Microsoft Ignite 2024: Windows 365 Link About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    24 min

  8. 12/05/2024

    Episode 390: Microsoft Ignite 2024: Windows 365 Link

    Welcome to Episode 390 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast, live from Microsoft Ignite 2024! In this episode Ben sits down for a chat with Melissa Grant, head of product marketing for Windows 11 Enterprise, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop at Microsoft. Melissa discusses her tenure at Microsoft and the evolution of cloud-based Windows offerings, starting with the launch of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) five years ago and transitioning into Windows 365. They also discuss Windows 365 Link, Microsoft’s new dedicated endpoint device, designed for seamless, secure connections Windows 365 Cloud PCs. This device reduces the need for extensive IT management and resources by simplifying deployment process, and providing security benefits based on feedback from some of Microsoft’s customers. Melissa Grant Melissa Grant leads product marketing for Windows Enterprise, Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop within Microsoft Modern Work. She and her team are dedicated to delivering secure, productive and efficient commercial solutions so customers can do their best work with Windows. - Melissa on LinkedIn   Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options. Show Notes Windows in the Cloud leadership spotlight: Melissa Grant, Windows Marketing Windows 365 Link—the first Cloud PC device for Windows 365 Windows 365 Link Preview Demo: Introducing Windows 365 Link Windows 365 Link Documentation What is Windows 365 Link? About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

    18 min
See All (200)

    4.8
    out of 5
    62 Ratings

    About

    On the MS Cloud IT Pro Podcast, Scott and Ben discuss the Microsoft Cloud with a focus on IT Pros. They'll discuss the latest in Microsoft 365 and Office 365 News, Azure news and talk about their experiences with managing the Microsoft Cloud as well as interview industry experts on various cloud technology. They'll cover things such as SharePoint, Exchange, Microsoft Teams, PowerShell, Azure, Azure AD, Security, Networking, Storage, and the many other technologies and products that have made their way into the Microsoft 365 suite and Azure. To stay up-to-date on the latest in Microsoft Cloud news and gain some valuable knowledge as you deploy it within your own organization, make sure to tune in every week! Find out more at https://msclouditpro.com.

    Information

    • Creator
      Ben Stegink, Scott Hoag
    • Years Active
      2017 - 2025
    • Episodes
      200
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © MS Cloud IT Pro Podcast
    • Show Website
      Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada