The New Updation in Office 365 ProPlus
With Office 365 ProPlus, we initially shifted to a monthly release cycle for brand spanking new features and other updates. This required us to review and improve on all aspects of our technology adoption model, from support and user readiness to compatibility testing. We now produce other options in these areas.
Update channels
With the discharge of update channels, we will now select the pace of change for groups of users by specifying an update channel for them: either Monthly Channel or Semi-annual Channel. The default channel for organizations is Semi-annual Channel. they only get new app features every six months. Each update may be a rollup of the previous six months’ feature releases. We use this channel for users of line-of-business applications that have dependencies on Office, in order that we will take longer to validate application compatibility. We also use it once we want longer to develop training and support materials.
To help steel oneself against a Semi-annual Channel release, we use the Semi-annual Channel Targeted. This channel is provided six months before subsequent Semi-annual Channel update. It includes new features, security updates, and hotfixes During this point , they identify possible issues with line-of-business applications, add-ins, or macros that require to be addressed before general release.
Monthly Channel users automatically get updates monthly for security and hotfixes and new features as they’re released. We configure users for the Monthly Channel by using the Office Deployment Tool and may change this setting at any time by using the Update Channel setting of Group Policy.
As previously mentioned, additionally to selecting an update channel, we will prefer to have clients either consume the updates directly from CDN over the web . Or we will add a further layer of control by deploying the updates by using servers within the firewall.
Microsoft Update service is integrated with the help of Configuration Manager. whenever an Office 365 update is published, information is automatically sent to the Microsoft Update service. We then use the prevailing workflow engine to download and distribute the update.
Before the deployment, we evaluated what users would need to keep them productive throughout the process. We created SharePoint pages with support material, like productivity guidance, feature descriptions, language packs, commonly asked questions, and known issues. As a part of this, we create a helpdesk support document that gives guidance to support agents, troubleshoots issues, and escalations.
Users receiving Office 365 ProPlus got mails notification of the upcoming upgrade. The notification includes resources and described what to expect during the updation. Users were given the choice to upgrade at a time that was convenient for them or wait until the scheduled upgrade. The deployment was promoted internally on Yammer (social media) and using digital signage on high-traffic internal SharePoint sites.
Since the deployment, new features are being released on a daily cadence. When an app is updated with new features, an in-app notification appears. The What’s New window describes the new features and includes a “Learn more” link that opens a Microsoft.com page with more information. At any time, users also can view updates from the Office application backstage.
We use our SharePoint intranet site, Yammer, and user communications to ensure that users are unlocking the full potential of new features. We create productivity guides to assist users find out how to use new features, and that we partner with the helpdesk to coach and prepare support staff for any support requests that come in.
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