Blog Topic: Microsoft

Enhance Your SharePoint Intranet with Microsoft Viva Connections

Discover how Microsoft Viva Connections enhances SharePoint by making vital content accessible in Teams with personalized feeds and customizable dashboards.

Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Licensing, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams

Current Microsoft Cloud Promotions

Stay current on Microsoft cloud promotions. This living guide lists all active Microsoft cloud discounts with eligibility, dates and HBS perspective on each.

Microsoft

Major Changes Coming to Microsoft 365 Pricing in 2026

Microsoft 365 pricing changes take effect July 1, 2026. See what’s increasing, what features are coming, and how HBS helps you plan your licensing and renewals.

Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Licensing

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: AI Built for Small and Midsize Teams

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business brings secure AI into Microsoft 365 for teams under 300 users. See pricing, promos, bundles and how to get started with HBS.

AI, Copilot, Licensing, Microsoft

Teams Is Back in the Bundle: What Microsoft’s Latest Change Means for You

Microsoft is bringing Teams back to Microsoft 365 and Office 365 bundles starting November 1, 2025. See what’s changing and how HBS can guide you through every update.

Microsoft, Microsoft Licensing, Microsoft Teams

Navigating Microsoft’s New Office 365 Storage Limits for Education Customers

Learn about Microsoft's changes to storage limits for educational tenants in Office 365. Prepare for shared storage allocation and optimize your IT strategy.

Education, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Schools

Windows 10 End of Support: What’s Your Next Move?

Windows 10 support ends Oct. 14. Learn your options—upgrade to Windows 11, explore other OS options, or invest in new hardware. Start planning your strategy.

End of Life Software, Microsoft, Windows

How Microsoft Is Helping Rural Hospitals Combat Cyberattacks

Learn how Microsoft's new program helps rural hospitals defend against rising cyber threats with grants, discounts, and advanced security.

Cybersecurity, Google, Microsoft, Ransomware

Microsoft 365 Copilot vs. Custom AI Assistant: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Discover the benefits of Microsoft 365 Copilot vs. custom AI assistants, and find out which AI solution best fits your business goals and productivity needs.

AI, Copilot, Microsoft

Simplifying License Renewals with Co-Terming: Why It Matters

Tired of juggling multiple license renewals? Co-terming streamlines your process, simplifying budget planning, and reducing operational headaches.

Licensing, Microsoft

Dynamics GP End of Life: Plan Your Transition

Microsoft Dynamics GP end of life is September 30, 2029. Prepare for the future now to ensure a smooth transition to a modern ERP solution with HBS.

Dynamics 365, End of Life Software, ERP, Microsoft

Microsoft Dynamics GP 18.6 Update: Why Upgrading Is Essential

Stay secure & boost your ERP with Dynamics GP 18.6! Avoid risks, unlock new features, & get expert upgrade help from HBS.

Dynamics 365, End of Life Software, ERP, Microsoft

Dynamics Upgrade Information and Innovations

Explore the latest upgrades in Dynamics 365 in both Dynamics GP and Dynamics Business Central.

Dynamics 365, ERP, Microsoft

Office 365 A1 Plus Retirement: What You Need to Know and How to Navigate It

Microsoft is retiring Office 365 A1 Plus in phases through 2025. Learn what this means for students, faculty, and your next steps.

Education, Licensing, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Licensing, Schools

Integrated Business Solutions: How Microsoft AI Tools Can Help Meet Key Sales, Operations, and Customer Engagement Challenges

Discover how AI integration elevates operational efficiency and transforms sales, with insights on Microsoft's suite for modern businesses.

AI, Copilot, IT Leadership, Microsoft

Microsoft Dynamics GP Update

The ERP Team at Heartland Business Systems (HBS) continues to support the Microsoft Dynamics GP platform as well as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Dynamics 365, ERP, Microsoft

Want to Move from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

If you’re looking to migrate from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central, there are a few things to help with that process.

Dynamics 365, ERP, Microsoft

Microsoft Office 365 Security Best Practices and Recommendations

Secure your Microsoft 365 with our guide. Implement multi-factor authentication, conditional access policies, and detect suspicious activities.

Audits, Authentication, MFA, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Security

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s New Flexible Billing Option

Microsoft Copilot has a new flexible billing, offering monthly payments for annual commitments. Simplify licensing with HBS and unlock AI-powered productivity.

AI, Copilot, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Licensing

What is the Benefit of Following a SharePoint Site?

Explain to your team how following SharePoint sites enhances file management, search results, file transfers, and navigation.

Collaboration, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft SharePoint

AppService to Azure SQL Using Managed Identity

Make using Sql credentials connecting your App Services to Azure SQL a thing of the past and help secure your application in the process by using a Managed Identity.

Azure, Microsoft, SQL

Microsoft 365 Copilot Update Wave 2: What’s New

Features of Microsoft Copilot Wave 2, including Copilot Pages, Python in Excel, and customizable Copilot Agents. Boost productivity and enhance collaboration.

AI, Copilot, Microsoft, Microsoft 365

Power Apps: Azure SQL vs Dataverse

Dataverse is viewed as a fundamental shift in application development. It is important to leverage the right features to speed up the development process.

Azure, Development, Microsoft, SQL

Making Sense of Microsoft Teams Meeting Types

Not sure which Microsoft Teams meeting type to use? Learn the differences between Meetings, Webinars, and Live Events to choose the right one for your needs.

Collaboration, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams

Take the Guesswork Out of Azure Migration with an Assessment

Migrating to Azure but unsure of the first steps? An Azure Migration Assessment provides the clarity you need on costs, performance insights, risks, and more.

Azure, Cloud, Colocation, Data Center, Microsoft

Your Most Efficient Workspace Yet: What’s New in the Teams Update

Microsoft Teams’ latest update unifies chats and channels, adds threaded conversations, custom sections, and filters—all designed to keep you focused.

Collaboration, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams

Assigning User Roles for Model Driven Apps

When dealing with model-driven apps in the Power Platform, assigning security roles to users is a crucial step. Let’s break down the process.

Microsoft, Security

Addressing Common Challenges with Dates in Dynamics 365

Discover the ways you can default a date on a form (i.e. a submit date) to today's date and other common challenges in Dynamics 365.

Dynamics 365, Microsoft

Using FetchXML in Web API Queries via JavaScript for Dynamics 365

Learn how to use FetchXML in Web API Queries via JavaScript for Dynamics 365. To get started with querying the Web API via FetchXML you are going to need FetchXML.

Development, Dynamics 365, Microsoft

Microsoft Licensing Review: Clarity, Compliance, Cost Savings

A Microsoft licensing review helps optimize costs, close compliance gaps and build a smarter IT roadmap with expert guidance.

Microsoft, Microsoft Licensing

Entra ID Policy Deadline: Migrate MFA & SSPR Before Sept. 30

By September 30, 2025, Microsoft requires MFA & SSPR to move to the unified Authentication Methods Policy in Entra ID. Learn why it matters and how to prepare.

Authentication, Azure, MFA, Microsoft

Expanded Access to Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Compliance Add-Ons

Microsoft just expanded eligibility for E5 Security and E5 Compliance add-ons—no full E5 license required. Here’s what’s new and how to get started.

Licensing, Microsoft, Microsoft 365

Microsoft Secure Score: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Improve Yours

Learn what Microsoft Secure Score is, how it works, what a good score looks like, practical ways to improve it. Tips, tools, and managed security options.

Authentication, Cybersecurity, Microsoft, Microsoft 365

Microsoft Specializations: What They Really Mean for You

Microsoft Specializations are much more than badges—they’re proof your partner can—and will—delivers results.

Azure, Collaboration, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Security

Get to Know Dynamics 365 Business Central

Discover how Microsoft Business Central helps businesses connect financials, operations, sales, and service in one cloud-based ERP.

Business Central, ERP, Microsoft

Mandatory Microsoft MFA: Key Updates for Admins

Mandatory MFA is coming to Azure CLI, PowerShell, REST APIs, and more by Sept. 1, 2025. What’s changing, who’s affected, and how to prepare.

Authentication, Azure, MFA, Microsoft

Dynamics GP vs Dynamics Business Central

Compare Microsoft Dynamics GP and Business Central. Discover differences in pricing, deployment, AI, and future support.

Dynamics 365, End of Life Software, ERP, Microsoft

Microsoft EA vs CSP: Which Licensing Model is Best for You?

Struggling to choose between Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (EA) or a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP)? Compare the benefits, costs, and flexibility of each.

Licensing, Microsoft, Microsoft Licensing

Windows 10 Education End of Life: Time Is Running Out

Windows 10 support ends on Oct. 14, 2025. Learn how schools can assess device compatibility, explore upgrade options, and take advantage of Microsoft’s ESUs.

End of Life Software, Microsoft, Microsoft Licensing, Windows

Dynamics Pricing Update: What to Know

Dynamics 365 prices will increase starting Oct. 1, 2024. Learn about the pricing details, why this is happening, and how to prepare. HBS is here to help.

Dynamics 365, Microsoft, Productivity

Microsoft Power BI and Teams Phone Price Increases

Microsoft Power BI and Teams Phone prices increase on April 1, 2025. Learn what's changing, who's affected, and how to prepare and lock in savings.

Microsoft, Microsoft Licensing, Productivity

Navigating Microsoft’s CSP Licensing Price Increases

Microsoft's 5% price increase for CSP annual subscriptions with monthly billing begins April 1, 2025. Manage costs and optimize your Microsoft licenses now.

Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Licensing