GTconsult Monthly Newsletter- July 2024
It feels like we blinked and it was August. As we enter the windy month (well for those of us in South Africa at least), we take some time to look back on the month that was at GT before diving into August.
In this month's edition:
We're not even going to waste time, we're jumping right into it!
COLLABDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's official CollabDays South Africa is a go!
We will be having CollabDays in South Africa...and better still, in three different cities!
All business, power users and developers in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, get ready!
CollabDays is a free community-focused event dedicated to educating and engaging members of the local, technical and business community.
This event draws upon the expertise of local and international Microsoft professionals, developers and solutions architects and business users.
At CollabDays South Africa you will get the opportunity to learn about and share real-world experiences, lessons learned, best practices, and general knowledge with other like-minded individuals.
This year, the event will cover three tracks: Business, power user and developer covering content from all levels, from introductory, 100-level content to highly technical, 400-level ‘expert’ sessions. So whether you are a developer, IT professional, or business user, CollabDays South Africa offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments.
Call for Sponsors:
As a community-driven initiative, sponsorship plays a crucial role in making the event possible.
As a sponsor, you will have the chance to contribute to and benefit from:
Why Sponsor?
To become a sponsor, please provide:
Important Note: Sponsorship does not guarantee a speaking slot. All travel and accommodation expenses must be covered by the sponsor, as this is a free community event.
Interested in sponsoring? Visit our event site for detailed information in our sponsor pack. [Click here to learn more]
Call for Speakers:
In preparation for the event, our call for speakers is open for all speakers who would like to participate.
As a speaker, you will have the opportunity to share your real-world experiences, lessons learned, best practices, and general knowledge with other like-minded individuals.
This year, the event will cover three tracks: Business, power user and developer.
The event will cover content from all levels, from introductory, 100-level content to highly technical, 400-level ‘expert’ sessions.
This year we are eager to receive submissions for the following topics for each category (Development/Power User/Business):
Kindly note that submission to speak does not guarantee a speaking slot.
We kindly request that all speakers make their own travel and accommodation arrangements, as this is a free community even and such expenses are not covered by the organizers.
Learn more about CollabDays South Africa 2024:
Meet the new kids on the block
We are delighted to introduce two new additions to the GTconsult team this month. With their unique skills and fresh viewpoints, we're eager to see how they will enhance our projects and daily operations. Their passion and expertise promise to drive our continued success and innovation. Welcome to the team! Let's take a moment to get to know them better.
Say hello to Dwayne Sauls: Our new project manager
We are excited to introduce Dwayne Sauls as our new Project Manager who will be working alongside our current project manager, Krivasha Pillay. Dwayne joins us with a wealth of experience under his belt. Reflecting on his decision to join our team, Dwayne shared,
"I bring extensive expertise in infrastructure management, IT service delivery, and team leadership."
Dwayne is enthusiastic about the responsibilities that come with his new role.
"I am particularly excited about the chance to strategically allocate resources, manage budgets effectively and ensure efficient use of assets." he said
His commitment to optimizing resources and overseeing effective asset management will be instrumental in driving our operations forward.
With a diverse background that includes experience as a former software developer, PRINCE2 practitioner, and a business administration graduate, Dwayne brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to the team.
Looking to the future, Dwayne has clear professional aspirations.
I aim to advance into a role as a Portfolio Manager or CTO in the future. Additionally, I’m focused on improving my surfing skills, specifically my Cutback and 360 maneuvers," he shared.
His ambition to grow into leadership roles and his dedication to personal hobbies highlight his dynamic approach to both his career and personal interests.
Outside of work, Dwayne is passionate about surfing and community service.
I enjoy surfing and also volunteer with Ikamva Youth, a charity organization that provides toiletries to homeless women. Giving back to the community is something I deeply value," he revealed.
His commitment to surfing and charitable work reflects his well-rounded personality and dedication to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.
We are thrilled to have Dwayne on board and look forward to the valuable contributions he will bring to our team. Welcome, Dwayne!
Welcoming Godfrey: Our New Senior SharePoint Developer
We are delighted to welcome Godfrey to our team as a Senior SharePoint Developer. With 14 years of experience in the IT industry, Godfrey brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his new role. He describes himself as energetic and talkative, always eager to learn new skills.
Godfrey is particularly excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the talented GT Consult team. His enthusiasm for innovation and collaboration is evident as he embraces the chance to work with new technologies.
I am more excited about working and sharing ideas with the brilliant GT-Team and exploring new technologies and solutions we will and have been building for GT's clientele," he shared.
In terms of skills and experience, Godfrey brings extensive expertise in SharePoint Development, including custom coding when needed. He also prides himself on his client communication skills, which are valuable in bridging the gap between technical work and client expectations.
"My vast experience in SharePoint Development, custom coding when such projects arise, and my client communication skills, which are not so popular in our line of work from a developer, are aspects I bring to the team," he noted.
This combination of technical expertise and communication skills sets him apart in his field.
Looking ahead, Godfrey aims to continue amassing technical skills and working on additional certifications. His commitment to continuous learning and professional growth is clear as he seeks to stay at the forefront of the industry.
Outside of work, Godfrey enjoys watching football, particularly the English Premier League (EPL). He also participates in Saturday football with his 6-year-old for their district club, showcasing his love for the sport and his family-oriented nature.
领英推荐
We are thrilled to have Godfrey join us and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make to our team. Welcome aboard, Godfrey!
Catch up!
Have you been keeping up with our content? If you've fallen behind, we've got you. Check out some of our awesome content that you may have missed out on.
Ten Ton Potato
A new episode of TTP dropped!
Adaptive Cards, a framework developed by Microsoft for creating interactive and adaptable UI content for apps, are useful for enhancing user engagement and streamlining workflows.
Watch/or listen on any of the platforms below to see Braid and Craig explore how adaptive cards provide a way to display actionable information within platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
You can also check out the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
FAQ Mondays answered
If you didn't know, every Monday, we answer frequently asked questions we get from our clients as well as potential questions or things to consider we would like to address.
Penetration Testing
FAQ: How often should penetration tests be conducted to ensure reasonable safety?
The answer: Ideally, penetration tests should be conducted at least once a year for due diligence. It's even better to use Microsoft's Vulnerability Suite to continuously manage endpoints and scan your entire environment.
As time goes on, the cybersecurity landscape evolves at a more rapid pace, with new vulnerabilities being publicly released every month. Regular testing helps ensure that your systems remain secure and resilient against the latest threats. Thorough and frequent assessments are key to maintaining a robust security posture.
Penetration testing is a great tool for discovering and taking action to mitigate vulnerabilities before the bad guys get to them. To learn about penetration testing and how GTconsult can help you fortify your security, visit:
Managing changes in project scope or requirements during the development process
When developing your SharePoint environment, it’s essential to stay adaptable and prepared for changes. Whether you're enhancing your intranet, setting up document management systems, or streamlining collaboration, flexibility is key.
Watch the video to check out what our CEO, Craig, has to say about changes in project scope or requirements.
To see the rest of the FAQ's answered in July or catch up on previous FAQ Mondays, feel free to stalk our socials.
All things Microsoft and SharePoint
It's retirement season at Microsoft!
Azure ACS Retirement
Did you see our article on the retirement of Azure ACS in favor of Microsoft Entra ID. If you're catching up, Microsoft is retiring Azure ACS by the 1st November , 2024, affecting all environments. Alongside this, they've halted the acquisition of existing SharePoint Add-Ins from the public marketplace since the 1st of July, 2024.
What does this mean?
Read our article to learn what this change means for you, and how to navigate it smoothly.
Office 365 Connectors Retirement
Microsoft has announced the retirement of their Office 365 connectors in Teams, with full deprecation set for December 2025. Following feedback and outcry over the initial timeline, Microsoft extended the deadline to give users more time to transition.
Key Dates and Transition Details
Microsoft encourages users to transition to Power Automate workflows, which offer a broader range of connectors and enhanced security. The updated Workflows app in Teams provides an integrated experience for managing approvals, project updates, and routine tasks.
For a smooth transition, users should explore the Workflows app for suitable templates or create custom workflows. Visit the app in Teams for more information and guidance. Ensure all changes are made before the retirement dates to avoid disruptions.
If you're still a bit fuzzy on workflows, check out our Tech Tuesday article, 'Sending Personalized Messages and Notifications with Microsoft Teams and Power Automate'.
Announcements
Microsoft Store Product and Services listing
So, we did a thing...We have two offerings in the Microsoft Store!
3-Day Migration assessment service
What is it?
The purpose of a "SharePoint Online Migration: 3-Day Assessment" offer is to provide organizations with a short but intensive consulting service to evaluate their readiness and requirements for migrating to SharePoint Online.
How does it work?
Get it:
Infomailer:
What is it?
Info Mailers are automated emails that provide daily updates on important information relevant to your organization. Info Mailers can include details such as leave notifications, out-of-office statuses, birthdays, exchange rates, sales figures, and more, ensuring everyone in the organization has access to the latest information regardless of their location.
How does it work?
GTconsult Info Mailers are a service designed to automatically send customized internal newsletters to staff using data from existing company systems like SharePoint, Exchange, Office 365 or other business applications with relevant APIs. These newsletters can be delivered daily to employee inboxes and can be accessed from any device.
Get it:
Milestone Alert!
Guess who has surpassed the 1000 subscribers mark? We have!!! 1245 to be exact!
We’re thrilled that our content resonates with so many.
If you haven’t joined us yet, now’s the perfect time. Subscribe to stay updated on Ten Ton Potato, all things SharePoint, GTconsult, and much more. Check out our channel here.
A massive thank you to all our subscribers. See you at the 2k mark!
Growing our team
We are still looking for a couple of SharePoint developers to join our team. If you are who we are looking for or know someone who is, do best!
Apply here.
And that's it for this months July recap. This newsletter doesn't cover everything we've been up to. If you want to see it all or just can not wait for the next newsletter for a summary, follow us on our socials to stay up to date.
Enjoy the rest of your August!