On September 14, 2023, Oracle and Microsoft announced Oracle Database@Azure. Oracle Database@Azure provides customers with direct access to Oracle database services hosted on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and deployed within Microsoft Azure data centers. This collaboration combines Oracle Database’s performance and scalability with Microsoft
On October 1, 2023, Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) becomes Microsoft Entra ID. This is a name change only and requires no action on your part. The licensing plans and pricing for Azure AD and Microsoft 365 plans, which include Azure AD, will
Effective May 23, 2023, utilization alerts for Microsoft Azure Reservations are available. What are Microsoft Azure Reservations? Reservations help organizations cut costs in Azure by committing to a 1-year or 3-year term for services such as virtual machine compute. Committing allows you to
Since April 26, 2023, Microsoft Centrally Managed Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server is generally available. What is Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server? Azure Hybrid Benefit is a licensing benefit that enables you to leverage your on-premises core-based SQL Server licenses, along
Since April 26, 2023, there are custom lookback periods available in Microsoft Azure Advisor. What are custom lookback periods in Azure Advisor? One of the key recommendations provided by Azure Advisor is right sizing, which helps optimize costs by identifying virtual machines that
Effective April 1, 2023, Microsoft revised and simplified the Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB) use rights for Windows Server. For Windows Server, Microsoft eliminated the requirement that customers allocate licenses in packs of eight, eliminated the requirement that customers allocate 16 licenses before they begin
Announced March 6, 2023, Azure OpenAI Service will be integrated into Microsoft AI Builder, and is currently in preview. Azure OpenAI Service enables users to use a new low-code generative AI model and templates within Microsoft Power Automate and Microsoft Power Apps. AI Builder
Since February 14, 2023, Extended Security Updates (ESU) are available for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 environments on Azure. Organizations that need additional time to upgrade and modernize their Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 environments on Azure can obtain an additional year
Effective April 1, 2023, prices for Azure services in Euro increase by 11 percent to more closely align to Azure pricing in US dollars. Even after this adjustment, customers buying in Euro will continue to find Azure offerings highly competitive. Microsoft periodically assesses its
Microsoft has announced changes to the management of licenses for Dynamics 365 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications. Starting April 30, 2025, enhanced license reporting will be available in the Power Platform Admin Center, showing license usage across all security roles (find more below). Users who do not meet license requirements
Coming end of May 2025, Microsoft introduces a greatly improved and expanded Microsoft 365 Copilot experience, called Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2. Furthermore, the new Copilot Control System lets you manage, govern, and measure Copilot and agents across your organization. Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2: A New Copilot Experience
Effective April 8, 2025, Copilot in Azure is available. Accessible through the Azure Management Portal, Copilot is designed to assist you in answering questions, completing tasks, and exploring Azure services. What is Microsoft Copilot in Azure? Microsoft Copilot in Azure is an AI-powered assistant integrated into the Azure Management