In the realm of Microsoft 365, understanding the various service options such as private preview, public preview, and general availability (GA) can undoubtedly assist an individual in the successful completion of the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam. Each of these plays a critical role in shaping the life cycle of a feature or product introduced by Microsoft.
Private Preview
Private preview is the phase where Microsoft introduces a new feature or product to a small group of customers for initial testing. These early adopters are known as insiders, they get the opportunity to preview, evaluate and give feedback on the new capabilities before they are made generally available.
For example, Microsoft might release a new security feature in Microsoft 365 Defender to a private preview group for evaluation. The participants can express their views, identify potential issues, and make suggestions for improvements. The feedback gathered is keenly acted upon by Microsoft to fine-tune the feature.
Public Preview
Following the completion of the private preview, the feature or product advances to the public preview stage. Here, it is made accessible to any Microsoft 365 customer who wishes to participate in evaluating the new capabilities.
For instance, Microsoft may move its new Microsoft 365 Defender feature to the public preview phase after addressing the feedback from the private preview participants. This public preview provides a wider audience to test the feature, allowing more varied and comprehensive feedback.
General Availability (GA)
The last phase of the release cycle is General Availability (GA), also known as the release phase. During GA, the new feature or product is fully ready and is made available to all customers worldwide. The feature is thoroughly tested and is deemed fit for use.
For example, the new Microsoft 365 Defender feature, after undergoing and passing through the private and public previews, may be released for General Availability. It means that feature is now ready for all Microsoft 365 customers to use in their production environments.
To summarize, the transition from private preview to public preview to general availability provides a robust and thorough testing mechanism for new features and products in Microsoft 365. It ensures that by the time a feature becomes generally available, it is of the highest quality and ready for deployment in a production environment.
| Phase | Access | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Private Preview | Limited (Insiders Only) | Initial testing, feedback collection, and improvement |
| Public Preview | Open for All Customers | Wider testing, more varied feedback collection |
| General Availability (GA) | Worldwide for All Customers | Feature/Product is ready for use in production environments |
Preparing for the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam requires thorough familiarization with these service options. It also involves an understanding of how to be part of each one of these stages, as well as their respective benefits and drawbacks.
Practice Test
True or False: Private preview allows a specific group of users to try out new features before they are available to the entire public.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Private preview is designed for a select group of users who are able to test and experience the new features ahead of time.
True or False: Public preview allows users to opt in and try pre-released updates or features without any obligation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Public preview is a way for any user to try out updates and features prior to their final release date.
Which of the following phases consists of free usage with no guarantees of service level agreement or support?
- a) Private preview
- b) Public preview
- c) General availability
Answer: b) Public preview
Explanation: During the public preview phase, users can try services for free, but without any guarantee of SLA or customer support.
General Availability (GA) marks the official launch of a service or product. Is this statement True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: General Availability (GA) does indeed mark the official, fully-tested, ready-for-production launch of a service or product.
Is General Availability (GA) an option for users to try updates for free with limited support and no SLA guarantees?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: b) No
Explanation: This statement actually describes the public preview phase. General Availability (GA) is the phase when the product or service is fully ready to launch and offer full support.
True or False: Private preview can be accessed by any user who opts in for it.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Private preview is for a select user base, not open to just anyone who opts in.
Select the correct sequence for service launch phases in Microsoft
- a) Public Preview → Private Preview → General Availability
- b) Private Preview → General Availability → Public Preview
- c) Private Preview → Public Preview → General Availability
Answer: c) Private Preview → Public Preview → General Availability
Explanation: This is the correct sequence for service launch phases. First, a select group of users in a Private Preview tests the service, then broader testing occurs in the Public Preview phase, and finally, the service goes to General Availability.
Which of the following ensures full service-level agreement (SLA) and support?
- a) Private Preview
- b) Public Preview
- c) General Availability
Answer: c) General Availability
Explanation: During General Availability, the product or service is fully released to the public with full SLA and support.
True or False: Feedback is not collected during the Public Preview phase.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Feedback is encouraged and collected during the Public Preview phase to make necessary adjustments before General Availability.
Who are typically the users in the Private Preview phase?
- a) Only Microsoft employees
- b) Limited audience often including employees, partners, or customers
- c) Any user who opts in
Answer: b) Limited audience often including employees, partners, or customers
Explanation: Private previews are deployed to a limited and select group of users, potentially including employees, partners, or customers.
In which phase should the solution be deemed complete and ready for production deployment?
- a) Private Preview
- b) Public Preview
- c) General Availability
Answer: c) General Availability
Explanation: The General Availability phase signifies the completion of the solution and readiness for production deployment.
True or False: During the Public Preview phase, updates and new features are considered in their final state.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Public Preview phase, updates and new features are still being tested and refined based on user feedback. Only in the General Availability phase are they considered in their final state.
True or False: General Availability (GA) is a stage when the product or service is made available to all customers.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The General Availability stage is when the product or service is deemed complete and ready to be released to all customers, with full service-level agreement and support.
Which of the following is an opportunity for customers to try and provide feedback on new features or updates before they become generally available?
- a) Private Preview
- b) Public Preview
- c) General Availability
Answer: b) Public Preview
Explanation: The Public Preview stage allows customers to test and provide feedback on new features or updates before they are finalized and launched for everyone in the General Availability stage.
True or False: The features during the Private Preview phase are completely stable and ready for commercial use.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Private Preview phase is meant for testing experimental functionalities and the features in this phase are not necessarily stable or ready for commercial use. General Availability is the stage when services or features are fully ready for commercial deployment.
Interview Questions
What is the private preview in Microsoft 365?
The private preview in Microsoft 365 is a stage of product development where a limited group of people get access to early versions of the product to test and provide feedback.
How does the public preview differ from the private preview in Microsoft 365?
Unlike the private preview that is limited to a select group, public preview in Microsoft 365 extends the testing to the larger public allowing more users to test and provide feedback on the upcoming releases.
What is meant by General Availability (GA) in Microsoft 365?
General Availability (GA) in Microsoft 365 implies that the product or new features are now fully tested, stable, and available for use by all Microsoft 365 customers.
What is the purpose of having private and public previews?
The purpose of these previews is to test the product in real-world conditions, gather feedback, make necessary tweaks and improvements before making it officially and widely available to all users.
Who typically gets access to a private preview of a product in Microsoft 365?
A private preview is usually given to a select set of customers, often ones who have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Microsoft.
Can I consider a feature in Public Preview to be the final product?
No. A Public Preview is not the final product. While it’s closer to the final product than a Private Preview, there can still be updates and changes before it reaches the General Availability stage.
Can any Microsoft 365 customer access the public preview?
Yes, the public preview phase is open to anyone with a Microsoft 365 account who wants to try out pre-release features and provide feedback.
Is it necessary to participate in the public preview phase?
No, participation in the public preview phase is not necessary. It’s entirely optional and subject to the customer’s interest in trying out upcoming features.
Are there any risks involved in participating in the private or public preview phases?
Yes, as these are pre-release versions of the product, they might have bugs or stability issues. Microsoft recommends not using preview versions for production loads.
What happens once a product reaches General Availability (GA) in Microsoft 365?
Once General Availability (GA) is announced, the product or feature is considered ready for use by all customers. It is fully supported by Microsoft and it’s expected that no significant changes would be made to the product’s functionality.
Is the feedback provided in the private and public preview phases considered by Microsoft?
Yes, feedback is an essential component of the preview stages. Microsoft uses it to identify bugs, make improvements, and ensure the product is meeting the needs and expectations of its customers before it reaches General Availability.
Can products or features be pulled back or adjusted after reaching General Availability?
While GA represents a stage where a product is considered stable and ready, Microsoft can still make adjustments or updates based on continued feedback and real-world usage.
How long does the General Availability (GA) phase last in the product lifecycle?
The General Availability (GA) phase typically lasts until the product is either retired or replaced by a newer version.
Are there any charges for accessing Private or Public preview features?
No, there are typically no additional costs for participating in the Preview phases. However, standard costs for product usage would still apply once it is in General Availability.
Can a feature skip the Public Preview and move directly from Private Preview to General Availability?
Yes, it’s possible. The decision is typically based on the feature’s complexity, impact, and the feedback gathered during the private preview stage.
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