Enterprise software

Microsoft gets kudos for bringing OneDrive to Apple M1 Macs

OneDrive will soon run on ARM-based laptops, joining Box, Dropbox and Google storage services. Analysts said the ARM-based laptop market will grow in the coming years. Continue Reading

Microsoft to increase monthly subscription costs by 20%

Monthly subscribers to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Windows 365 will have to pay a premium or switch to an annual pricing model starting July 2022. Continue Reading

Microsoft Loop adds project management to 365

Loop lets teams track project status while editing documents in a single app. The Microsoft 365 software works with Word, PowerPoint and Excel document snippets. Continue Reading

Monday.com brings document editing to project management

Monday.com has launched workdocs, targeting the document editing tool for brainstorming and goal setting. The tool is included in the company's project management platform. Continue Reading

Dell patches high-severity flaws in firmware update driver

SentinelOne discovered the flaws in Dell's firmware update driver in December. There's no evidence that hackers have exploited the 12-year-old vulnerabilities. Continue Reading

Keeping tabs on employees in the hybrid workplace

Companies want better ways to determine if their employees are mentally healthy or are at risk of a breakdown in the hybrid workplace. Vendors line up to meet the demand. Continue Reading

Microsoft makes PowerPoint Presenter Coach widely available

Microsoft has added features to PowerPoint Presenter Coach. The enhancements in the self-help tool provide better tips on how to improve presentations that use PowerPoint slides. Continue Reading

Microsoft to add a text prediction feature to Word

The feature, scheduled for release next month, makes suggestions as a person types in Word. Microsoft said the predictive text feature will make writing faster and more efficient. Continue Reading

Microsoft announces Office 2021, Office LTSC

Microsoft will launch two versions of Office for those who don't want Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Office 2021 and Office LTSC will be available in the second half of the year. Continue Reading

Google adds alias email addresses to Gmail search

Google has added to Gmail the ability to search all of a person's email addresses. The more comprehensive search results make it easier to find emails within inboxes. Continue Reading

Microsoft cloud revenues soar on digital transformation trend

Momentum for Microsoft Azure continues to build with the company reporting a 50% increase in sales of the cloud platform, helping lift sales of the company's other cloud offerings. Continue Reading

Otter.ai helps Google Meet stay competitive

Otter.ai provides captioning, live transcription and recording options in Google Meet. The features match those in Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Continue Reading

Google sunsetting G Suite unlimited storage

G Suite customers who enjoyed unlimited storage for years will have to switch to a plan with limits. Google announced the change when G Suite became Workspace. Continue Reading

Microsoft redirects to Edge as IE nears end of life

Microsoft will force some sites to open in Edge instead of IE, another sign the browser is nearing its end of life. Enterprise users must adapt, experts say. Continue Reading

Google Meet updates close in on Microsoft Teams, Zoom

The latest Google Meet features let participants see up to 49 people on-screen at a time. Other enhancements include better control over who gets access to meetings. Continue Reading

Microsoft launches Word transcription tool

The new Microsoft Word transcription feature makes crafting notes from an audio file a more streamlined process. The service is available with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Continue Reading

Microsoft ending 365 IE 11 support in 2021

With Microsoft 365 IE 11 support coming to an end, organizations must prepare for the day when relying on the browser is no longer an option, industry observers said. Continue Reading

New Microsoft Lists tracks info in 365 productivity suite

Microsoft Lists, launching in July, is intended to help organizations store and track selected information from 365. Lists will come with the productivity suite. Continue Reading

Google Meet features counter Zoombombing, streamline mobile

New Google Meet features announced this week should make the platform better, analysts said. Google will need more to compete with Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom. Continue Reading

IT must prep for the rise of the hybrid team

Phased reopenings are on the horizon, so IT pros must prepare for a hybrid team approach -- with some employees in the office and others at home. Continue Reading

Knoa software measures remote worker effectiveness

At a time when in-person interactions are at a minimum, how can companies tell if their employees are struggling? Knoa says user experience management metrics can help. Continue Reading

Why isn't Adobe Reader working on Windows 10?

When Adobe Reader isn't working with Windows 10, admins can take a few troubleshooting steps to rectify the issue. Begin with Adobe's AcroMonitor tool. Continue Reading

Enterprise takeaways from Microsoft 365 news

The line between personal and professional lives continues to blur, and last week's Microsoft 365 news exemplified that point. Continue Reading

EG Enterprise v7 focuses on usability, user experience monitoring

New features in EG Enterprise v7, set to launch soon, enable simulated and real user monitoring, automated diagnosis and new dashboard and visualization features. Continue Reading

Microsoft Power Platform gets AI and RPA updates

At Microsoft Ignite, the tech giant released new updates to ease RPA and AI building across its Power Platform, as well as new capabilities for Cortana within Microsoft 365. Continue Reading

AI drives unified endpoint management benefits beyond limits

With a big boost from artificial intelligence, UEM tools sharpen applications in security, identity management, app monitoring, dynamic profiles, onboarding and self-help. Continue Reading

New Citrix COO talks future of Citrix services

In his first public interview as Citrix's first COO, Mark Schmitz discusses what the company's priorities are and how he hopes to grow their subscription products. Continue Reading

End users will make or break an Office 365 migration

When migrating to Office 365, IT admins need to keep the end users in mind. That was the big takeaway from a training session at a Virtual Technology User Group event in Maine. Continue Reading

User experience management from Knoa shines light on SAP app use

Agribusiness company Bunge improved its end-user experience with SAP applications by licensing Knoa. The software company helped provide insights into how its users were -- and weren't -- interacting with the applications. Continue Reading

Citrix customers focus on products and support, not rumors

While acknowledging a sale is unlikely, one Citrix customer said he would expect a similar level of support and satisfaction with Citrix products even if it was. Continue Reading

Citrix Workspace update resonates with Synergy attendees

Attendees at Citrix Synergy walked away from the opening keynote excited about the capabilities of the new Workspace. The new version is underpinned by micro apps and AI for a more seamless workflow. Continue Reading

IE mode unburdens IT admins by running legacy apps on Microsoft Edge

At its annual developer conference, Microsoft introduced IE mode to Microsoft Edge. The new feature will help IT admins run legacy applications on a more modern browser. Continue Reading

G Suite update aimed squarely at the enterprise

Google aims to make G Suite more secure and easier to use in its latest update. One expert sees the added capabilities as Google trying to match the needs of the enterprise. Continue Reading

Why can’t other apps get real-time co-authoring right like Google Docs?

Google Docs has been the supreme co-authoring experience for years, why can’t anyone else offer anything as good? Just a frustrating thing, really. Continue Reading

New Zoho office application software includes AI feature Zia

Zoho's next generation office application software seeks to integrate business groups to contextualize the workplace with AI, according to the company. Continue Reading

How does Parallels Mac Management for Microsoft SCCM work?

With Mac Management from Parallels, IT professionals can manage Windows and Apple macOS desktops side by side with System Center Configuration Manager's native features. Continue Reading

Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure for virtual desktops

Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure compared with a traditional data center setup include improved scalability and availability, simpler management and better integration. And when it comes to virtual desktops and applications, those benefits lead to better performance. This month's cover story explores the advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure powering VDI and virtualized apps.

Also in this issue, a columnist explains the evolution of desktop storage and how the cloud continues to be the next big things in this area. Expert Jack Madden takes a deep dive into Microsoft's new desktop as a service offering, which is set to shake up the DaaS industry. Plus, this month's App Spotlight shines on Evernote, a compelling option for business organizing and note-taking. And to wrap up another year of the Access e-zine, the editor's note takes a look back at the biggest end-user computing trends and lessons from 2018.

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Top Microsoft Office alternatives for enterprise use

Microsoft's productivity suite sees the most enterprise use, but organizations can switch to certain Microsoft Office alternatives for lower licensing costs and more. Continue Reading

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 laptop slims down, but it's no tablet

Despite Dell's best efforts, including combining CPU and GPU in a single processor to make the device smaller, the XPS 15 2-in-1 still falls short as a tablet. Continue Reading

End-user security awareness training is a must-have

There are lots of different ways to keep users up to date on the latest security risks and how they should be handling their corporate resources. Continue Reading

How to approach end-user security training

Most IT pros are aware that user behavior can be a security threat to an organization. But what is there to do about it? With end-user security training, IT can ensure that employees are updated on the latest risks and know how to access corporate resources in accordance with IT policies. There are several ways to approach end-user security training, from online resources to in-person meetings, so we explore the methods at hand in this month's cover story of Access magazine.

Also in this issue, learn how to prepare for Windows 7 end of life and what Apple's Device Enrollment Program can bring to the table for desktop and mobile environments. In another expert column, get to know how internet of things devices fit into unified endpoint management today. Plus, check out this month's Device Spotlight on the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 and see what the editor has to say about monitoring mobile device usage in the enterprise.

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Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 laptop slims down, but it's no tablet

 Continue Reading

LibreOffice 6.0 pushes for enterprise viability

The debate of office suites may boil down to Microsoft Office vs. LibreOffice. The former is an expensive but consistent native suite, and the latter is third-party and free. Continue Reading

Workflow automation software improves LA court productivity

Court's in session, and the jury is unanimous: Automation software can help IT departments provide simpler workflows for end users on both desktops and mobile devices. Continue Reading

What Microsoft Outlook alternatives can IT choose from?

When IT pros are seeking an alternative to Outlook, they should consider the features their users need the most and select an email client that best matches those needs. Continue Reading

How do you fix Outlook display issues?

Outlook crashes and rendering issues might require an upgrade -- or a downgrade -- for administrators who want to avoid a Band-Aid approach and want a permanent solution. Continue Reading

Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference coverage

Check all the developments from the Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference in Orlando and track the company's strategic moves in its hardware, software and services businesses. Continue Reading

How does Office 365 VDI licensing work in nonpersistent deployments?

Setting up Office 365 generally involves multiple devices. With nonpersistent VDI, the rules of the game change for IT admins. Continue Reading

How does Office 365 licensing work in VDI deployments?

Licensing Office 365 for VDI deployments is not simple. The requirements change depending on the deployment type. Microsoft RDS, for example, completely alters how it works. Continue Reading

Office 365 vs. Office 2013: What are the key differences?

Software as a service may be one reason for choosing Office 365 over Office 2013, but licensing and update frequency are other considerations. Continue Reading

Productivity suite smack down: Office 365 vs. Office 2016

Microsoft's Office 2016 for the desktop might seem like the de facto option for delivering productivity apps to users, but its cloud-based cousin Office 365 offers more flexibility. Continue Reading

Choosing between Microsoft Office 2016 versions

Choosing between Office 2016 versions may seem like a simple choice, but don't jump to conclusions: Consider functionality, operational consistency and cost. Continue Reading

Microsoft Office Trust Center settings that help stop malware

The Trust Center in Microsoft's Office suite has some important and useful settings to prevent users from opening files infected with malware and viruses, but admins need to know about and enable them. Continue Reading

What are some common Office 2013 problems?

Office 2013 problems can stem from an incomplete install, or your particular version or settings. Luckily, there are simple fixes for most issues. Continue Reading

How do I open an .xpx file in Office 2002 SP3?

An .xpx file can cause problems for Office 2002 SP3 users, but Microsoft does provide help in Windows 7 and with a free XPS viewer. Continue Reading

Why doesn't closing a file return me to Microsoft Windows Explorer?

If you open a Windows document in Windows Explorer rather than in the Microsoft Word interface, closing it launches File Explorer. The file hasn't moved. Continue Reading

Microsoft talks up services, mum on Windows strategy

Microsoft has acknowledged that users aren't just tied to desktop OSes, shifting its focus to Office 365 and DaaS rather than its Windows strategy. Continue Reading

Office Telemetry reports on Office 2013 docs and apps

If IT administrators need information on document and application usage, they can use Office Telemetry, an Office 2013 feature that gathers such data. Continue Reading

How to allow multiple users to share an Excel workbook

Public folders allow users to share an Excel workbook, but OneDrive and Windows 8.1 HomeGroups might be better. Continue Reading

Finding and fixing Office 2013 installation problems

Desktop administrators can streamline Office deployments by understanding fixes to important installation problems. Continue Reading

Use Excel's IF statement to track, save on IT support contract costs

Warranty tracking for enterprise software can be an odious task, but if you know how to use the IF statement in Microsoft Excel, you could save money. Continue Reading

Track software licenses and IT support with Excel date functions

As part of our series on Excel for IT admins, we look at how Excel date functions can help with calculating software licenses and support dates. Continue Reading

Set IT support and reporting priorities with an Excel pivot table

An Excel pivot table can help IT report on support, especially if admins use its ability to prioritize data by location, date and other criteria. Continue Reading

Excel pivot tables can help IT admins track support, costs

Excel isn't just for end users. If you know how to properly filter data with Excel pivot tables, you can track expenses and create detailed reports. Continue Reading

Learn how to install Office 2013 with Group Policies or SCCM

To successfully deploy Office 2013 across a network, you'll need Group Policies or tools such as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. Continue Reading

Click-to-Run and MSI provide Office 2013 installation options

The Microsoft Installer has competition for Office 2013 installation. See how Office Click-to-Run allows Office 2013 to run without a full download. Continue Reading

Microsoft's revised Resource Kit can ease Office 2013 deployment

Microsoft's free Office 2013 Resource Kit provides documentation for Office 2013 deployment, as well as for management after an Office deployment. Continue Reading

Windows tools and terminology for desktop admins

There are a number of Windows tools that desktop admins can use, but before you can use them you have to know what the terms actually mean. Continue Reading

Using Active Directory activation and other new Office 2013 tools

Among the new Office 2013 tools for IT admins are a method for volume activation, administrative template files and files for custom installations. Continue Reading

Stripping a Microsoft Office password from a document with DocRecrypt

DocRecrypt, an Office 2013 tool, allows an admins to get into an otherwise inaccessible file by stripping it of its Microsoft Office password. Continue Reading

Ways to detect and delete duplicate files in Windows systems

Our enterprise desktop expert answers a question about some third-party tools for eliminating duplicate files in Windows desktops. Continue Reading

Microsoft Office 2013 crackable, so look to Office password recovery

Microsoft Office 2013 may have improved protection, but third-party tools have already cracked passwords. See how to use Office password recovery. Continue Reading

Tablet licensing rules with Microsoft Office

As tablets make their way into the enterprise, it might be time to brush up on licensing rules for mobilizing Microsoft Office. We also provide some solutions for reducing costs. Continue Reading

Licensing options for accessing Microsoft Office remotely

There are plenty of choices for licensing virtual applications, but understanding when to use which ones can be a challenge. Continue Reading

Controlling desktops with AppLocker and software restriction policies

Many IT admins rely on User Account Control, but AppLocker or software restriction policies can also prevent unauthorized installation of desktop apps. Continue Reading

Weighing Microsoft Office 2010

Microsoft Office 2010 offers a slew of new features for both end users and IT pros. Check out the pros and cons of the newest suite in this guide for enterprises and consumers. Continue Reading

Enterprises hold onto Microsoft Office despite Google Apps option

Google Apps is making headway over Microsoft Office in startups and SMBs. But inside enterprises? Not so much. Continue Reading

Should you switch to the Office 2007 file format?

Are the benefits of the Open XML file format in Microsoft Office 2007 significant enough to make switching a high priority? Consider your businesses' needs. Continue Reading

Microsoft Office 2010: At a glance

With Microsoft Office 2010 on the horizon, but no public betas as of yet, information on the new release is scattered across the Internet. Get everything you need to know here. Continue Reading

Microsoft wraps Office SP2 with better doc support

Microsoft Office 2007 service pack 2, which is ready for download, supports an expansive list of document formats. Continue Reading

Making a Windows folder read-only

Windows hardening expert Jonathan Hassell explains how to make a Windows folder that multiple users share read-only. Continue Reading

Fixes, workaround for Kerberos 5 vulnerability

A security hole in Kerberos 5 could be exploited to launch malicious code. But there are fixes and a workaround. Continue Reading

Is Microsoft's Office becoming more like Windows?

Microsoft's Office productivity suite is fast becoming a software platform unto itself, in the model of Windows. Developers are increasingly building third-party applications to run on top of Office, something that Microsoft has encouraged as a way to grow business for the profitable product line. Continue Reading

Into Active Directory scripting? Get to know Joe

The online home of a Microsoft MVP for Active Directory offers some free tools that will make you wonder how you ever lived without them. Continue Reading

Man charged with selling Windows source code

All it reportedly took was $20 to see a blueprint of the NT and 2000 versions of the operating system. Continue Reading

Ask Microsoft: Mono support, LAMP

Amanda Morgan of Microsoft's Global Positioning group talks about why her company doesn't support the Mono project and its position on Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP (LAMP). Continue Reading

Few care to share when it comes to Microsoft's code

Microsoft has made its prized Windows source code available to a greater number of customers under its Shared Source Initiative. So why are so few taking the software maker up on its offer? Continue Reading

J2EE or .NET: Pick one and stick to it

Is .NET or Java your preferred development platform? Forrester Research asked more than 300 enterprise decision makers. Continue Reading

Flaw found in older Office versions

Microsoft has chastised security vendor Secunia for publicly releasing information about a vulnerability it found in Office 2000. The buffer overrun flaw, which Secunia rated critical, is caused by a problem in how Word processes Outlook files. Microsoft says Secunia should have notified it first before releasing the information. Continue Reading

Desktop apps ripe turf for open source

Two new reports on open source validate office suite application alternatives like OpenOffice.org and StarOffice and their push into the mainstream against market giant Microsoft Office. Continue Reading

Developers split on Longhorn moves

The availability of key parts of Microsoft's WinFX developer platform for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 pleases many developers, but others are dismayed that a new file system, WinFS, will not make it into the first version of Longhorn. Continue Reading