Resources

“Why do my Microsoft Places desk pools just look like a plain block?” The answer is that, by default, desk pools are represented as simple workspace rectangles. The good news is that, with a little thought and some custom IMDF design, you can create floor plans that are far more intuitive without compromising compatibility.

Many years ago, Microsoft announced its plans to end of life Public Folders, and lots of enterprises ‘kicked off’ big time.    It’s not surprising, as for years, Public Folders had provided a simple way for teams to share both documents and email.   […]

If your email archiving infrastructure still runs on Enterprise Vault (EV) and it’s still sitting on systems running in your office (or in a hosted data centre under your control), […]

If you’re questioning whether your learning platform supports your AI ambitions – or if Copilot is sitting unused – book a call with a specialist to see how a Microsoft-integrated LMS like Learn365 can help you go from ‘We bought the licence’ to ‘We’re seeing the return.

Most organisations have figured out how to template a project workspace. Fewer have figured out what to do when the project ends. The result: sites nobody owns, permissions that linger, and storage costs that quietly grow. This article looks at how to govern the full lifecycle of a project workspace, from creation to retirement.

Did you know that every desk in Microsoft Places can be configured in one of four different modes? In this video, I explain the four desk types available in Places […]

Could this new affordable licence model expedite your move to Microsoft Places? Over the last year or so we have seen significant changes in the features available in Places, and […]

We are currently working on a SharePoint on-prem to SharePoint Online migration, and you might think that migrating the permissions side of things would be relatively straightforward. Well… it’s not. […]

There’s one big oversight we see time and time again when organisations roll out a desk booking system – and it’s so fundamental that it can undermine the entire project […]

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

A few years ago, having a dedicated email ‘hygiene’ service to run alongside your Microsoft 365 environment was ‘essential’, with solutions like Mimecast and Proofpoint providing advanced anti-spam, anti-phishing, email […]

SharePoint version management is becoming increasingly important as Microsoft 365 storage costs rise. Poorly managed version history across SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive can quickly consume storage, increase overage costs and […]

If you’re using Microsoft 365 for hybrid working, setting your Work Hours and Location in Outlook is one of the simplest ways to make in-person collaboration easier. It should also […]

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

Microsoft’s Hybrid RSVP feature which lets meeting attendees confirm whether they’ll attend in person or virtually has been available in new Outlook and Outlook on the web for some time now. This article looks at what it actually delivers, where the gaps remain, and how it fits into the broader Microsoft Places picture.

Implementing a car park booking system takes more planning than most facilities managers expect. Here is what to work through before you touch the technology.

Now that Places licencing has changed for the better (in that you no longer need to buy a Teams Premium licence), we predict that many enterprises will start ‘kicking the […]

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

Microsoft 365 does not have a single built-in “read and understood” feature, which leaves many organisations relying on email read receipts or SharePoint access logs that do not actually prove anything. This post sets out five practical approaches, from a quick email-based confirmation through to a fully auditable learning platform workflow, so you can match the method to the risk level and move on with confidence.

As organisations adopt new technologies such as Generative AI, the need to circulate relevant policies and ensure employees truly understand them has never been greater. Traditional methods – such as […]

Many Microsoft 365 administrators discover the same surprising SharePoint orphaned users problem: A user leaves the organisation and is deleted from Entra ID (Azure AD) — but their permissions remain […]

  A leading sustainability consultancy recently partnered with Essential to migrate its on-premises network file servers to SharePoint online. This wasn’t just about following the crowd into the cloud. It [...]

For years, the default assumption has been that cloud storage is effectively unlimited and relatively inexpensive. I recall one customer telling me: ‘Cloud storage is so cheap I don’t care’, […]

If you’re in the process of selecting a workspace booking system, this article looks at the different aspects of a purchase and the features, functionality and ongoing cost of ownership that will impact how much you pay for it.

Where is RSVP – Yes In Person that Microsoft promised a few years ago? Here’s 4 problems not having it is creating for your company.

Now, as office spaces are being remodelled – and in many cases reduced – to support hybrid working, employees increasingly need to pre-book a specific desk before coming into the […]

In this article we will explore whether Microsoft Bookings can be used to sublet your workspaces to an external audience.

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

In this video, we walk through the current desk booking experience in Microsoft Places, showing how desk reservations work across Outlook and Microsoft Teams, what users can expect to see [...]

If you listen to conference keynotes and vendor roadmaps, AI is already reshaping how work gets done. But when I speak with humans in my orbit - school parents, finance managers, or [...]

Microsoft Places is an advanced, AI-powered app designed to make it easier for hybrid workforces to meet in person. Whether planning a meeting in advance, or knowing who’s in the […]

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

What is an interactive floor plan? Most desk booking systems allow workspaces to be booked directly from an interactive floor plan. Interactive floor plans are graphics that depict your office […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Discover how to create SCORM learning content quickly and easily using AI tools. In this video, I'll walk you through the new Content365 tool inside Learn365, showing how quickly organisations [...]

Want to upload a bespoke festive Teams background?  Here’s how: Next, this is the weird thing you need to do to ‘check out’ and apply your festive Teams background: Did […]

Discover how Learn365 - the LMS built for Microsoft 365 - can let you turn your learning IP into revenue earning content. In this walkthrough, I demonstrate how Learn365 - [...]

A Learning Management System (LMS) is an important investment and inevitably the right solution needs to tick quite a few boxes: While Learning & Development (L&D) managers will be responsible for rolling […]

We had a positively spine-tingling revelation earlier this week reported by one of our technical gurus.  He was using AI to dig into the details of a particularly complex project […]

Every organisation today runs countless Teams meetings – from daily stand-ups to ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions. In my experience it’s in these ad-hoc recorded sessions where the really useful learning […]

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has been using Spaces - a SharePoint intranet–based desk and room booking system built on ResourceXpress - for over 8 years to support [...]

Booking workspaces from the company intranet Mark Southwell from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) gives a tour of ‘Spaces‘, their SharePoint intranet–based desk and room booking system built […]

Discover the power of Microsoft Places.

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Effective training is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Each employee has unique needs, competencies, and career aspirations, and ensuring the relevant courses, learning pathways or certifications are made available is not […]

One of the common questions we hear when organisations are exploring Learn365 (formerly LMS365) is whether you can still deliver a targeted learning experience without having a fully populated organisation […]

For many L&D teams, audience targeting is already handled through HR or learning platforms – grouping employees by role, department, or location. But as organisations deepen their use of Microsoft […]

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Discover how occupancy sensors can reveal the real usage of assigned desks in the workplace. While some employees insist on needing permanent desks, sensors capture actual behaviour, often uncovering discrepancies between intention and reality. Learn how facility managers can leverage this data to optimise workspace allocation, reduce costs, and improve office efficiency.

The image layout options in Modern SharePoint are constantly evolving and each option has its own nuances. Images are typically applied using what’s termed a ‘web part’, the following of […]

Training a hybrid workforce in a high security environment poses many challenges….

When it comes to your corporate intranets, the use of carefully selected and strategically placed images can greatly enhance the user experience and showcase your corporate brand.   From our experience […]

With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become much more than a tool used by friends and family to chat for free.   It’s now an essential communication channel used by […]

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

Images used within SharePoint can be different sizes and aspect ratios depending on your chosen number of columns and web part layouts.

In most cases, images in modern web parts work best across layouts and devices when they have an aspect ratio of either 1:1 (square), 16:9 or 4:3, depending on the layout. 

Bring some festive fun to your company intranet this season! In this short tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a digital advent calendar in SharePoint Online using the new […]

If you’re wondering which Microsoft Places features are included with your current Microsoft 365 license, the table below breaks it all down. A clear pattern is emerging: The comparison table […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

In this video I demonstrate the AvePoint Insights dashboard, which gives you a clear, traffic light view of security risks across your Microsoft 365 tenant. At a glance, you can […]

We are excited to announce a freemium licence of our learning management system for Microsoft 365, Learn365. Our freemium licence offer is a great way for enterprises to experience the […]

A recent Microsoft security alert has revealed a vulnerability in SharePoint on-premises that allows attackers to remotely execute code. While this is a serious issue - and yet another reason [...]

Many learning platforms can be accessed from Microsoft 365, but that doesn’t mean they’re truly integrated. A few shortcuts into Teams or the odd SharePoint link does not equal meaningful […]

Essential is proud to be the UK and European distributor of UnitySync, and part of our service is to help organisations of all sizes and complexity choose the most cost-effective […]

Designing indoor maps with Microsoft Places using the IMDF standard can transform how users navigate complex spaces. This article explores best practices in IMDF map design for Microsoft Places, focusing on creating intuitive, user-centric layouts that prioritise ease of navigation over strict geographic alignment. Discover why aligning indoor maps based on user orientation, rather than traditional mapping practices, enhances the user experience and makes desk and room booking more accessible. Learn how to convert CAD diagrams to IMDF and optimise your indoor mapping strategy for seamless integration with Microsoft Places.

We recently noticed an issue when setting your weekly work hours and location schedule for Places. Previously, when setting your work hours and locations, it was only possible to say […]

Error Messages and Solutions We are excited to see how Microsoft Places will transform hybrid working by surfacing real-time insights on ‘where people are’ (or plan to be) when booking […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Advent calendar ideas for your SharePoint intranet Getting your hybrid workforce into the habit of visiting your company intranet – and keeping your SharePoint content up-to-date and vibrant – is […]

Discover how Learn365 - the LMS built for Microsoft 365 - gives learners more control over their 'learning journey'. Whether it's mandatory compliance training, manager-approved courses, or fully self-directed learning, [...]

Want to bring learning into the flow of working in Microsoft 365? Our LMS migration service has you covered. In this video, the Essential LMS team discusses key considerations for [...]

Why it may be time to review your learning and development solution if you use Microsoft 365 Most organisations have a digital workplace centred around using Microsoft 365 and Microsoft […]

In this short video, we explore how to get real value from Microsoft Places - even if you're only using the core licence (i.e. without Teams Premium*). See how to [...]

This video covers the frequently asked questions about our SharePoint Online archiving solution, including: SharePoint Online storage can quickly exceed allocated quotas, which could lead to unnecessary costs for additional […]

Discover how Learn365 empowers line managers to monitor and support the skills development of their teams. In this short video, we walk through the Line Manager View, showing how you [...]

In this video, we showcase how Essential’s Directory Synchronisation solution – powered by UnitySync – helps you keep address books up to date and in sync across multiple environments, making […]

How Learn365 helps organisations track skills, map proficiency, and ensure workforce readiness in Microsoft 365. In this video, we explore how organisations are using skills tracking and proficiency mapping in [...]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

AI-Powered Course & Quiz Creation for Microsoft 365 Learning

Curious about how the Microsoft Places App can help you manage hybrid workspaces and stay connected with your team? Whether you're exploring hybrid work options or want to make the [...]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Book workspaces on arrival In this quick demo, we show how the ResourceXpress kiosk makes booking a workspace easy and intuitive – perfect for busy reception areas and office foyers. […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

In this video, we explore new Microsoft Places-related functionality in Outlook and Teams to help you set and manage office locations and work schedules. The location settings we discuss in [...]

In this video, we demonstrate just how easy it is to book catering and additional services alongside your room booking in Microsoft Places. As soon as you reserve a room, […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Did you know that there’s a new ‘Book a Desk option’ available in New Outlook calendar? You’ll find it under the ‘New Event’ drop down in Outlook Calendar. This experience […]

Booking a workspace at the point at which you’d book a meeting in Outlook is the ideal ‘modus operandi’ In this video we look at how you can book a […]

Why book workspace when no-one else is in the office? When you’re deciding on the best day to visit the office, a lot depends on whether all the key people […]

Book everything you need for your visit to the office – in one go! In this short video we show how easy it is to book a desk when you […]

Book everything you need for your visit to the office – in one go! In this video we demonstrate how using the Hubstar Connect workspace and resource booking system can […]

Discover how occupancy sensors can reveal the real usage of assigned desks in the workplace. While some employees insist on needing permanent desks, sensors capture actual behaviour, often uncovering discrepancies between intention and reality. Learn how facility managers can leverage this data to optimise workspace allocation, reduce costs, and improve office efficiency.

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Power BI helps you turn data into actionable insights... In this video, you'll learn how Power BI can pull together data from your workspace booking system and other sources to [...]

Book resources simply by scanning a QR code In this short video we demonstrate how you use QR codes to allow users to interact directly with ResourceXpress. This example shows […]

ResourceXpress Overview Video Find out why we like ResourceXpress – a solution that offers a wide range of user options as well as a great interactive floor plan experience for […]

See when co-workers are next in the office & book a desk nearby If you’re planning a visit to the office and want to be with members of your team, […]

Powerful, Multi-Site, Multi-Level Navigation ResourceXpress features a powerful navigation concept that lets you create a modern and exciting aesthetic for your workspace booking system. You can place navigational markers anywhere […]

Millennials face unprecedented pressures from workplace expectations, digital overload and a constant quest for success. Essential Computing highlights practical strategies for combating burnout, including establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, leveraging technology to streamline tasks and prioritising mental health.

Are you thinking of switching from a 3rd-party workspace booking system in favour of using 'native' Room Finder? When scheduling a new event in Outlook, users can quickly find and [...]

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Using non-on brand or unlicensed imagery on your SharePoint sites can result in copyright and trademark violations – it can also drive your marketing team bananas! Ditto with the proposals […]

In this video we discuss the new ‘Sections’ feature in Microsoft Places. The concept of ‘Sections’ in Microsoft Places was introduced in mid November 2024 as a way of organising […]

This video shows the features available for organising meetings with colleagues using the new Places functionality that’s available with with the following subscriptions: Microsoft 365 Plans: Business Basic, Business Standard, […]

Get up to speed with icons in Microsoft Places In this video, we dive into how Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF) works in Microsoft Places floor plans, with a focus […]

Get up to speed with Microsoft Places Microsoft Places is now at the end of its public preview and is taking shape to be a game changer when it comes […]

Booking meeting rooms for recurring bookings It’s not unusual for workforces to want to book a regular meeting: For example, a regular team meeting that takes place on the same […]

Discover how occupancy sensors can reveal the real usage of assigned desks in the workplace. While some employees insist on needing permanent desks, sensors capture actual behaviour, often uncovering discrepancies between intention and reality. Learn how facility managers can leverage this data to optimise workspace allocation, reduce costs, and improve office efficiency.

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Frontline learning for Microsoft 365 enterprises  

What are Frontline Workers? Frontline workers are employees who keep essential operations running - whether in retail, healthcare, logistics, or construction. They often work on their feet, have limited access [...]

What is Microsoft Room Finder?  Room Finder is a web-based service that’s available when individuals create a ‘New event’ in Outlook calendar.  In short, if your ‘event’ requires a meeting […]

How SharePoint Archiving Saves Enterprises Money – Webinar Replay Presented by Essential and AvePoint, this webinar recording provides a comprehensive overview of how SharePoint archiving can deliver highly tangible savings [...]

This video looks at how you can style up your SharePoint pages with a rotating banner. EXCITING NEWS: Microsoft now has a dedicated rotating banner (carousel) option that is now [...]

Within any organisation, particularly one with a large and sprawling Microsoft 365 tenant, it is extremely likely that there is sensitive information that is currently exposed and potentially discoverable. That doesn’t mean that it will be found, but the threat is there.

Microsoft has announced that Viva Goals will be retired on December 31, 2025, due to limited adoption and usage across its customer base. This article gives our theory on why […]

Essential’s learning management system, Learn365 (formerly LMS365), is fully compatible with the NHS Microsoft shared tenant, providing seamless integration for healthcare organisations. This ensures that NHS teams can efficiently deliver […]

Points of Interest, Icons and Labels are Extremely Useful on Floor Plans.. An office map should display more than just bookable resources like meeting rooms and desks. As a matter […]

What’s Changed Recently? Microsoft Places is evolving rapidly and there seems to be new features coming out each week. In this post we will aim to keep you up to […]

Within any organisation, particularly one with a large and sprawling Microsoft 365 tenant, it is extremely likely that there is sensitive information that is currently exposed and potentially discoverable. That doesn’t mean that it will be found, but the threat is there.

Finding a colleague and booking a workspace nearby In this demo, we’ll show you how easy it is to find a colleague in the office and book a nearby desk […]

Pre-registering visitors when you don’t have a scheduled meeting In this demo, we’ll show you how simple it is to pre-register visitors who aren’t linked to a meeting room or […]

  Registering visitors when scheduling your Outlook meeting In this video, we’ll show you how effortless it is to pre-register visitors for a building using Resource Central, all while scheduling [...]

Working with the Resource Central Assistant Meeting Organiser This video demonstrates the video management console that is part the Resource Central solution for Microsoft 365. The console offers powerful services […]

Working with the Resource Central Visitor Console This video demonstrates the video management console that is part the Resource Central solution for Microsoft 365. The console offers powerful services designed […]

  Self check-in QR codes for visitors This video demonstrates the visitor self check-in facility available with Resource Central for Microsoft 365. At the same time as inviting visitors to […]

The EU Data Act is set to revolutionise how businesses access and move their data, tackling vendor lock-in by enforcing new rules for data access and portability. Starting in September 2025, cloud vendors will be required to make data extraction easier and more affordable, allowing businesses to switch platforms with less hassle. However, for those who can’t wait for the legislation to take effect, our expert data migration services offer immediate solutions, ensuring you can move your data seamlessly without breaking the bank. Read on to learn about the key dates and provisions, and how we can help you transition smoothly in today’s challenging environment.

As your team transitions back to the office, it’s important to create an environment that fosters collaboration and connection while staying organised. Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, recently emphasized the need for companies to be “better set up to invent, collaborate, and be connected enough to each other.” One way to achieve this is by implementing a desk booking system

This video covers the frequently asked questions about our SharePoint Online archiving solution, including: 00:00:18 - What is the end user experience like when a SharePoint file gets archived? 00:03:37 [...]

The learning and training carried out in any organisation is often complex and varied, ranging from mandatory training for compliance reasons to e-learning around softer skills, and all shades in […]

Despite Microsoft’s advancements in PST migration tools, any project involving PSTs is inherently challenging due to the notoriously difficult task of locating and retrieving these files. There are a number […]

Email archives have been common place in enterprises for over 25 years, and for 2 main reasons:  What Is Email Archive Migration?  Email archive migration is the process that needs […]

What is Learning Pathways?  Microsoft 365 Learning Pathways is a customisable, on-demand training solution that focuses on Microsoft solution skills. This means it’s great for getting your workforce up-to-speed and productive […]

Our IT Manager, Matt, is not easily impressed. So when he gets excited, we know it's something exceptional. Watch this video to see Matt rave about Avepoint Insights for tracking [...]

This video looks the benefits of working with the native Request Files feature in Microsoft 365  The Microsoft Request Files feature is a valuable tool for securely collecting files from […]

During Covid-19, a workspace booking system could help your workforce secure a socially distanced desk when visiting the office.  It could also let you track office occupancy (and when) if you needed, to send out an alert and inform the facilities team which desks needed between-use sanitising.

What is the Request Files Feature? Request Files is a really handy feature available in Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive for gathering files from external organisations (or, indeed, or colleagues within […]

Double booked meeting rooms used to be a major headache for building managers, especially in organisations that use Microsoft resource mailboxes to represent rooms. This is because older versions of […]

What is Microsoft Viva Learning? Part of the Microsoft Viva employee experience platform (XP) – Viva Learning is a centralised learning hub within Microsoft Teams that seamlessly integrates learning and […]

Warning: .psts are like vermin. Experts agree they are a pest and IT departments across the world are all too familiar with the support nightmares they create. They also carry […]

If you use standard Microsoft room booking in Outlook and Teams, adding Microsoft-integrated digital signage can super-charge your office space – here’s how.

If you use standard Microsoft room booking in Outlook and Teams, adding Microsoft-integrated digital signage can super-charge your office space – here’s how.

Are you being locked in by your cloud vendor? Whenever I get on a flight I always count the number of rows to the nearest exit, so I can grope […]

What is Global Address List Synchronisation?  A Global Address List (GAL) is a comprehensive directory of all email users, distribution groups, and contacts within an organisation's email system.   To an [...]

This video demonstrates how to create some large, accessible icons to use in your SharePoint home pages using SharePoint Quick Links and PowerPoint.  The Quick Links Web Part is really […]

Introducing Zensai – the new name for LMS365 – and a new platform for driving learning, engagement and performance in Microsoft 365.

Get the inside scoop from Learning Technologies 2024!

Many organisations facing SharePoint online ‘overage’ costs are using third-party SharePoint archiving solutions,…but does Microsoft now have it’s own archiving solution?

Introduction Microsoft Teams and SharePoint sites have transformed communication and collaboration in the workplace, helping to drive efficiency, supporting hybrid working, underpinning employee engagement efforts and more. Microsoft Teams in […]

Virtually all the office workspace booking systems you’ll encounter these days feature the ability to book a desk, room or even car parking space from an interactive map or ‘floor […]

Do you need to allow an external audience to book desks or workspaces in your office? Sometimes it’s handy to be able to give clients and partners access to meeting […]

https://youtu.be/FZS_Du4bcG8 Check out our desk booking system in Power Apps that uses interactive floor plans. You may have seen an existing Power Apps template on https://make.powerapps.com/ that's freely available called [...]

Even though Microsoft offers free tools to import your PST files into Microsoft 365, does anyone really relish the thought of migrating ALL of their PST files into Exchange online? […]

Working with Resource Central room screens (also known as Digital Sign Service) This video demonstrates how to work with Resource Central room screens – aka Digital Sign Service (DSS). DSS […]

Working with the Resource Central help feature This video demonstrates the Resource Central workspace booking app.

Working with the Resource Central help feature Context-sensitive help in a workspace booking system can be critical to ensuring good user engagement. This video shows how to set up tailored […]

Working with the Resource Central booking manager: blocking out bookable areas This video shows how facilities and office staff can use Resource Central to temporarily block out sections of your […]

Working with the Resource Central Outlook Add-In This video provides a tour of the Resource Central Outlook add-in.

Working with the Resource Central Booking Manager Resource Central works with native Microsoft resource mailboxes and gives enterprises the option to seamlessly extend this service to add requests for catering, […]

Working with the Resource Central Booking Manager Unforeseen circumstances can necessitate changes to meeting arrangements. Resource Central’s Booking Manager offers a seamless solution. With a simple ‘drag and drop’ functionality, […]

Perfect for touch down workspaces, car-parking bays, equipment (e.g., laptops, scanners), and even office fitness classes, pooled resources offer an easy way to share out a limited number of resources. [...]

Many enterprises adapting to a hybrid work model are now re-evaluating their office space needs, often with the aim of reducing or reconfiguring it. Getting the information you need in […]

Discover how an LMS that can help you track and manage regular policy and security updates.

Each new page you create in SharePoint – unless you opt for the ‘Plain’ variant - offers the opportunity to use a wide format title image across the top. Finding [...]

I’ve been interested to read about recent incidents where ‘business’ communications on social platforms like WhatsApp, have been deleted. Having been around the block a bit, it reminded me of […]

Introduction SharePoint Online (aka SPO) offers an impressive storage capacity: Each tenant is initially allocated 1TB of storage plus an additional 10GB per licensed user, but is it enough?  In […]

In this blog we will look at how you can use SharePoint Lists to allow individuals to answer a series of quiz questions over a series of days. The starting […]

As part of its advanced security services, Microsoft lets you set up a Simulated Phishing Attack that’s linked with online training. This is a great service that’s part of the [...]

Learning & Learning Management in the Flow of Work For many hybrid workers, learning has become something you do by logging into a separate eLearning platform and working in isolation. [...]

In today’s hybrid working environment, hot desking is widely used as an approach to shrinking office space costs. 

Training in the fire service is critical for everyone: from fire fighters through to Chief Fire Officers, operational and non-operational staff, and of course, on-call team members, who crew 60 […]

Managing external users in Microsoft 365 is possible, but labour-intensive for IT Teams. Here’s how to simplify and delegate access management.

Discover how an LMS that can help you track and manage regular policy and security updates.

Unlike a petrol or diesel engine that takes just minutes to fill, a typical electric car will take at least half an hour to recharge. Recent reports of Charge Rage […]

Consumer messaging apps like WhatsApp have existed for several years, however their adoption as a business tool went through the roof during the pandemic. Amidst struggles to deliver a remote […]

As your workspace needs evolve, adding or removing numbered desks from your booking system can cause confusion. Here’s some workarounds.

Discover how an LMS that can help you track and manage regular policy and security updates.

In this article we will explore whether Microsoft Bookings can be used to sublet your workspaces to an external audience.

Discover the key features of an LMS that can help you track and manage a blend of in-person and online training.

The answer is no, not in a conventional sense! A conventional journaling solution has two components: Microsoft 365 actually only provides the first component – the journaling agent – which […]

Is your organisation using Microsoft Teams to support collaboration and remote working? By introducing a learning management system (LMS) that builds on this platform, you can turbo-charge your eLearning initiatives. […]

The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, and businesses are increasingly seeking innovative ways to adapt and thrive in the new normal. One such transformation is the rise of hybrid meetings, […]

Centralised identity management and directory federation services have undoubtedly revolutionised the way organisations communicate and collaborate with each other. However, there are situations where these services are either not appropriate […]

A great visitor management system can provide numerous benefits to businesses that welcome contractors or clients to their workspace. It can streamline the check-in process, reduce wait times, and create […]

Hot desking, also known as desk sharing or flexible seating, is a modern office trend that allows employees to use any available workspace instead of being assigned to a permanent […]

If, as an organisation, you have invested in Microsoft 365, by using an LMS solution that builds on this platform, you can turbo-charge your eLearning initiatives. Whats in this article […]

We are delighted to announce that LMS365 (nowLearn365), the learning management system (LMS) developed for the Microsoft 365 platform, now works seamlessly with Microsoft Viva Learning. Whats in this article [...]

As remote learning, virtual training and other eLearning technology has become commonplace since Covid-19, so has the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) to help manage the creation, delivery, and […]

What is an LMS and what does it mean in healthcare? Learning management systems (LMSs) are software platforms designed to streamline the management, delivery and tracking of learning activity. They [...]

To be honest, in light of the current home-working situation we thought that managing the booking of meeting rooms and hot desks would be the last thing on the agenda.

What is preboarding? We’re familiar with the term onboarding as being the induction process that starts when an employee joins your company. Preboarding is similar, but it comprises the steps […]

Why might you need to migrate your email journal? The fact that journal records are created for compliance reasons, and are therefore retained for many years, makes the need to […]

Email journaling is a way of recording email communications that is typically deployed by organisations that need to achieve compliance.

In this article we will explore whether Microsoft Bookings can be used to sublet your workspaces to an external audience.

https://youtu.be/9yL_r3YskAM How to manage role based learning with ease in Microsoft Teams Delivering learning in a way that’s embedded in Microsoft Teams is a great way to maximise employee engagement [...]

When you have thousands of learners to support, ensuring everyone is presented with the right learning programmes and content for their role is challenging to say the least. Each different […]

The general trend for hybrid working has left many offices underutilised, particularly for organisations with long-term leases or those anticipating a mass return to the office and thus maintaining their […]

How to do contactless room & desk booking signage 'on the cheap' Sometimes installing room screens and individual desk devices throughout an office space can not only be cost-prohibitive, the [...]

Having a good strategy for identifying meeting rooms in a large organisation can be a challenge – especially when there’s 100’s of different rooms, floors, room sizes, room types, different […]

EWS (Exchange Web Services) is an API that allows applications to access mailbox items such as email messages, free/busy status, and contacts. It is used by a range of applications that you may have running in your enterprise, an example of which is any desk booking and room booking system that integrates with Microsoft Exchange.

Are you preparing to support ‘hybrid meetings’? Here’s what you need to know about booking hybrid meetings in Teams.

The need to optimise use of your meeting rooms and collaboration spaces has become vital as hybrid workers prioritise face-to-face meetings when they visit the office. This makes meeting room […]

Hot desking is commonly used term to describe a concept where a limited number of available workspaces is shared amongst a workforce that does not need a permanently assigned desk.

In its simplest form, a desk booking system refers to a software tool or platform that enables employees to reserve a desk or workspace for a specific timeframe.

When not having a dedicated desk becomes an attractive proposition Essential started promoting the benefits of desk sharing almost 15 years ago.  At this time the prospect of not having […]

Microsoft’s drive shipping service is multi-step process via which large amounts of PST files can be uploaded into Microsoft cloud. This is how it works…could it work for your migration?

Switching from fixed desks to flexible working spaces is challenging on many levels, here are some hot desking tips you need to know for your workforce Not only do you […]

What are hybrid meetings? As we emerge from the pandemic, the way we work is likely to have changed forever.  The term 'hybrid working', reflects a now commonplace scenario where [...]

Covid-19 now seems a long way off in our rear-view mirror, but here’s how to remain flexible and responsive when it comes to social distancing. See how easy it is […]

Scanning a QR code from your mobile device has become a familiar way to get contactless and convenient access to restaurant menus, registering your visit to a venue using the […]

Microsoft recently announced Viva – an employee experience platform (XP) that pulls together the threads of a number of existing applications including Teams, SharePoint, Yammer, AI, Workplace Analytics, etc. to […]

What is email journaling? Email journaling is where a copy of all email traffic sent and received by an organisation (and optionally, within an organisation) is written to a separate, […]

How you can make returning to the office work for everyone The signs are encouraging, and although social distancing rules have relaxed, June 21st is still the date most firms […]

https://youtu.be/HvPaTNeQToM Why your organisation needs a great intranet: #2 Better Communication One of the most important factors in communicating with a hybrid team is ensuring that information is communicated with [...]

FACT: If you migrate legacy shortcuts into Exchange Online, it’s highly likely they’ll ‘still work’ if your archive remains on-premises. So do you need to get rid of it?

Why your organisation needs a great intranet: #1 Flexibility A mighty intranet as a gateway to your Digital Workplace, boosts flexibility for your employee’s day to day tasks as well […]

As Covid-19-related restrictions are slowly easing around the world, many businesses are preparing to return to the workplace.

Introduction to public folders in Microsoft 365 Introduced into Microsoft Exchange over 25 years ago, public folders are shared folders that can be accessed by multiple users in an organisation. […]

If you want to ensure safely spaced desks for staff members visiting the office, you can pre-assign just those desks that are bookable in advance.  Alternatively you can make life […]

The ‘need for speed’ has always been essential in today’s highly competitive world, and the pandemic has called for even greater pace and agility on the part of businesses as [...]

When your team can easily find and book the workspaces and other facilities they need on the move, they’re free to focus on getting the job done. Our mobile app [...]

Are you, like many organisations, looking at how you can replace your previously ‘in person’ training with an on-line service? The technology we have available in platforms such as Zoom […]

The mute story so far As a Teams meeting participant, the mute button has proved to be a pretty useful feature during lockdown to mask out the various screaming baby/dog […]

Do you still use an email journal service? Are you working in Microsoft 365 but still maintaining a separate email journal to meet compliance and business needs?  If so, you’re […]

Setting up the concept of bookable desks – otherwise known as ‘hot desking’ – is more than just a case of designating desks and making them ‘bookable’.

Microsoft has announced that they will be changing the way that applications can authenticate with Office 365 Exchange Online.

Making the necessary changes that enable workforces to adapt to a shrinking office space – especially where that means adopting ‘non-territorial working’ - requires a multi-discipline strategy involving people, design [...]

There’s no doubt that Microsoft Outlook Calendar makes a logical place for staff to book resources such as meeting rooms. Apart from being convenient for end users, behind the scenes, [...]

We’re currently involved in a number of different archive migration projects, helping customers to move legacy email information from one system to another. These are often challenging projects to manage, […]

With the GDPR and other industry-specific regulations in full force, it’s not a good idea to take it on faith that your employees are up to date on their compliance […]

When our customer wanted to give staff a quick and easy way to authenticate on-screen meeting room bookings and check-ins for its Microsoft Exchange-integrated room and desk booking system, the […]

For those of us who’ve spent half our lives behind a dedicated desk, or in a private office, having a workplace with no seating assignments (and fewer workstations than employees) […]

Prior to Microsoft 365, enterprises were fully responsible for providing their own business continuity and data protection. A multi-pronged, belt and braces approach for backup, that included the following elements, [...]

Along with PSTs, Public Folders are usually the last data repository to be dismantled when you’re migrating to Office 365.  They’re typically big and full of static content, much of […]

In this video, we demonstrate how you can use our Room and Desk Booking solutions via a tablet screen, usually mounted outside a meeting room. See how easy it is to [...]

Productive meetings have been a hot subject since that Elon Musk leaked email. But why did Elon chose to target meetings in order to increase company output? Did you know that [...]

If migrating user mailboxes in a hybrid environment wasn't challenging enough, migrating email archives to Microsoft 365 can introduce all sorts of complexity you hadn't bargained for.    Here's 5 [...]

Free retention of ex-employee’s data At present, if you want to retain the mailbox contents of former employees’ mailboxes there’s a facility called ‘Inactive Mailboxes’ that you can use.  The […]

When your teams can easily book the workspaces and resources they need from their familiar Microsoft Outlook environment, they’re free to focus on getting the job done. Our Outlook service [...]

A short how to video on how to use the visitor management tool in Resource Central.

First you needed an archive to give Exchange some ‘breathing room’.  Native Exchange just wasn’t up to the job of holding so much email, especially if you wanted to switch […]

Getting accurate reporting of how your meeting rooms and work spaces are being used is the first step in helping your business make tangible savings in real-estate and energy costs [...]

The need to optimise use of your meeting rooms and collaboration spaces has become vital as hybrid workers prioritise face-to-face meetings when they visit the office. This makes meeting room […]

Why are BCC'd recipients so important? In relation to email, BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.” Just like CC, BCC is a way of sending copies of an email to [...]

There’s two things to bear in mind when it comes to migrating mailbox permissions to Office 365: Number 1 – You won’t get an ‘easy ride’ The process of switching […]

Apart from ensuring you meet the terms of your Microsoft 365 licence plan, understanding your overall mailbox sizes – as well as the size of any archives you want to […]

So what’s the problem? When you log on to Office 365 you’re functioning in the ‘big wide world’, and Microsoft wants to know who you are. This means that logon […]

STOP PRESS: COVID-19 means that contactless operation for your room booking service across all functionality outlined in this article is now VITAL. It’s an all-too-common problem: You try to book a […]

The ability to automatically update Active Directory from data held on its HR systems proved vital for this mining company in terms of improving its customer services. Whenever staff transferred […]

Although an archive might be something the IT department would prefer to put on a tape and forget about, most email archives need to be ‘kept alive and kicking’ over […]

This is a very frequently asked question for anyone wanting to switch to Microsoft’s cloud. The short answer is:  If you’ve chosen the right software for your migration project, your […]

When going through an email archive migration, understanding the way your end-users work with their archives is worth getting to grips with, otherwise you could be heading for a bumpy [...]

Veterans of over 100 archive migration projects to date, Essential Computing is one of TransVault’s longest-standing partners... Since its inception in the early 90s, Essential has been at the cutting-edge [...]

Whether your email archive is on-premises or in the cloud, here’s just 5 sound pieces of advice from the Essential archiving team on what IT departments should not do when […]

We read with interest a Mimecast blog which refers to a TechCrunch article on the News Corporation phone hacking scandal. The archiving vendor alludes to the concept of an email archive making it possible to permanently [...]

Wow - this item was posted over a decade ago, but it's still relevant if you're replacing 'on-premises' systems and storage... It’s always a good idea to be diligent in [...]

We’ve all done it; composed an email, hit send, then regretted it. The heart-rate goes up and we become people of action, trying in vain to recall it. Invariably it’s […]

Our archive migration service is taking off and we are getting a reputation for being the ‘Pickfords’ Removals’ of the email archive world. Each new project brings its own set […]