Planning for Microsoft 365 Apps updates is a crucial part of maintaining the best practices in Microsoft 365 Identity and Services – as covered in the MS-100 exam. A comprehensive strategy for managing updates is essential as it helps keep softwares secured and updated with the latest features and enhancements.
Understanding Update Channels
Microsoft uses ‘update channels’ to provide updates for Microsoft 365 Apps, primarily to offer more predictability and flexibility for IT admins. The main update channels are:
- Current Channel: Provides users with the latest Office features as soon as they’re available. Monthly updates are offered in this channel.
- Monthly Enterprise Channel: Offers new features on a predictable monthly schedule, ideal for enterprises with limited IT resources.
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: New updates are released twice a year, in January and July. These updates include new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes.
Here is a table that compares the different channels:
| Channel | Ideal for | Frequency | Feature Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Channel | Most users | Monthly | As available |
| Monthly Enterprise Channel | Enterprises | Monthly | Monthly |
| Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel | Enterprises | Twice a year (January and July) | Twice a year |
Understanding Update Process
Broadly, the Microsoft 365 Apps update process has these stages:
- Investigate: Study and learn about the update, its features, improvements, and fixes.
- Notify: Inform users about the upcoming updates and, if possible, give them a chance to evaluate the update.
- Pilot: Deploy the updates to a select group of users or computers first and evaluate the update.
- Deploy: If you find the updates satisfactory, then deploy them to all users.
Planning the update
When planning for the update, it is important to consider your organization’s requirements and capabilities. Here are some steps you could take:
Step 1: Identify your servicing requirements: Every organization is different, and you need to determine what is best for your organization based on factors like risk tolerance, IT resources, and the relevance of latest features for your users.
Step 2: Choose the right update channel: Based on your servicing requirements, choose the update channel that fits best. If you want your users to be equipped with the latest features as soon as they come out, choose the Current Channel. But if stability is your prime concern, choose the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
Step 3: Create an update deployment plan: Determine how to deploy the updates. You can distribute software broadly or have a phased rollout strategy.
In Microsoft 365, updates are managed by using one of three methods:
- Directly from the cloud: accomplished via ‘Click-to-Run,’ a Microsoft streaming and virtualization technology that you can use to download and manage Office products.
- Using Windows Server Update Service (WSUS): WSUS allows system administrators to manage distribution of updates.
- Using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager: This is a comprehensive management solution for computer systems, that provides patch management, software distribution, operating system deployment, inventory of software and hardware, and remote control.
To summarize, a well-structured plan for managing Microsoft 365 Apps updates is an integral part of managing identities and services on Microsoft 365. It helps optimize user experience, improve productivity and enhance security. To pass the MS-100 exam successfully, mastering these concepts, methods, and planning strategies is critical.
Practice Test
True or False: You need to be assigned as an Office Apps admin to manage Microsoft 365 Apps updates in an organization.
- True
Answer: True.
Explanation: The management of Microsoft 365 Apps updates requires administrative permissions such as the Office Apps admin role.
Which of the below are requirements for managing Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
- a) Office Apps admin role
- b) Sufficient disk space
- c) Microsoft 365 Business Standard subscription
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above.
Explanation: All these are requirements for managing Microsoft 365 Apps updates.
What is the purpose of the Monthly Enterprise Channel in Microsoft 365 apps updates?
- a) Provides security updates
- b) Provides new features
- c) Provides both features and most up-to-date security updates
- d) None of the above
Answer: c) Provides both features and most up-to-date security updates.
Explanation: The Monthly Enterprise Channel gives you the option to receive both feature and security updates once a month.
True or False: Microsoft 365 Apps can be updated through Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or directly from the Internet.
- True
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Apps update channels provide different ways to update the apps, including through Microsoft Update, WSUS, or directly from the Internet.
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel updates are released every _____.
- a) Month
- b) Three months
- c) Six months
- d) Year
Answer: c) Six months.
Explanation: Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel updates are released twice a year, hence every six months, for organizations that require a longer period to prepare for updates.
Which of the following are methods to manage Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
- a) Group Policy
- b) Office Deployment Tool
- c) Configuration Manager
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above.
Explanation: Microsoft 365 apps updates can be managed by many methods including Group Policy, Office Deployment Tool (ODT), and Configuration Manager.
True or False: The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (preview) provides users with new features before they’re officially rolled out in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
- True
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (preview) provides a way to preview new features before they are rolled out officially to the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
What is the purpose of the Current Channel in Microsoft 365 apps updates?
- a) Provides users with new features as soon as they are available.
- b) Provides users with new features once a month.
- c) Provides users with new features every six months.
- d) None of the above.
Answer: a) Provides users with new features as soon as they are available.
Explanation: The Current Channel is the update channel that provides users with new features as soon as they are available.
True or False: Manual controls for Microsoft 365 apps updates overrule automatic settings.
- True
Answer: True.
Explanation: If you set manual controls for updates, those settings will overrule any automatic settings configured for Microsoft 365 apps updates.
Microsoft 365 apps updates can be postponed for up to _____ days.
- a) 15
- b) 30
- c) 365
- d) 90
Answer: c)
Explanation: Postponements for Microsoft 365 apps updates can be created for a maximum of 365 days.
Interview Questions
What are the two types of Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
The two types of Microsoft 365 Apps updates are feature updates and security updates.
How frequently does Microsoft release new features for Microsoft 365 Apps?
Microsoft typically releases new features for Microsoft 365 Apps on a monthly basis.
What is the purpose of the Microsoft 365 Apps readiness toolkit?
The 365 Apps readiness toolkit is used for assessing application compatibility with Microsoft 365 Apps updates.
Name two features of Monthly Enterprise Channel in Microsoft 365 Apps updates.
Monthly Enterprise Channel provides users with new features once a month, along with security updates. It also offers predictability and simplicity with the most minimal servicing model.
Does Microsoft release security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps at a specific time each month?
Yes, Microsoft typically releases security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps, on the second Tuesday of each month.
What strategy allows for the use of multiple update channels within an organization for Microsoft 365 Apps?
This is achieved by using a strategy called “channel harmonization” or “channel alignment.”
How does Microsoft’s cloud-connected experiences in Office ProPlus benefit users?
Cloud-connected experiences enhance functionalities such as obtaining documents and settings across devices, AI-powered capabilities like Ideas in Excel, and allow users real-time collaboration on documents.
How can IT Professionals manage Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
IT Professionals can use Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, or other similar software distribution tools to manage updates for Microsoft 365 Apps.
What is the purpose of using the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel for Microsoft 365 App updates?
The Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel is most often used in organizations that prefer less frequent updates. It provides updates two times a year with 14 months servicing period.
If an organization wants to test the updates before they are rolled out to the entire company, which update channel should they use in Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
They should use the Current Channel (Preview) for testing the updates.
How frequently are feature updates for Microsoft 365 Apps typically released in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel?
Feature updates in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel are typically released twice a year, in January and July.
What are the benefits of using “Delivery Optimization” for Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
Delivery Optimization allows devices to get update files from other devices on their local network that have already downloaded the updates, significantly reducing the network impact.
How can end-users update their Microsoft 365 Apps manually?
End-users can update their Microsoft 365 Apps manually by going to “File” > “Account” > “Update Options” > “Update Now” in most 365 apps.
What tool does Microsoft offer to automate the deployment of Microsoft 365 Apps in organizations?
Microsoft offers the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to automate the deployment of Microsoft 365 Apps in organizations.
What does the term “update channel” mean in the context of Microsoft 365 Apps updates?
An “update channel” refers to a group of builds designated for specific devices. It determines how often Microsoft 365 Apps are updated with new features and provides flexibility to choose how fast to adopt new technology.
extutorials.com