Episodes

Azure Site Recovery (ASR) is Microsoft's disaster recovery service that helps keep business applications and workloads running during planned and unplanned outages. By continuously replicating virtual machines and physical servers to a secondary Azure region or recovery site, ASR enables organizations to recover quickly from failures while minimizing downtime and data loss. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets, Mirko Peters explains Azure Site Recovery in simple terms and shows how it fits into a modern business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) strategy. You'll learn how continuous replication, failover, failback, and recovery plans work together to keep critical services available when unexpected outages occur. The episode covers key concepts including Recovery Services Vaults, replication policies, recovery points, planned versus unplanned failovers, test failovers, and automated recovery plans. It also explains how Azure Site Recovery protects Azure Virtual M…

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how developers build solutions on Microsoft Power Platform. In this episode of M365.FM, Mirko Peters is joined by Reza Niroomand to explore how AI-powered development is transforming the developer experience and why the next generation of Power Platform builders will work very differently from today. The conversation explores how tools such as Microsoft Copilot, AI-assisted coding, intelligent automation, and modern development practices are reducing repetitive work while enabling developers to focus on solving business problems. Reza shares practical insights into how professional developers and citizen developers can collaborate more effectively as AI becomes a core part of the software development lifecycle. You'll learn how the Power Platform ecosystem is evolving beyond traditional low-code development, with stronger integration into professional development workflows, source control, testing, governance, and enterprise arch…

Building a successful Managed Service Provider today requires far more than device management and helpdesk support. Customers expect proactive security, cloud expertise, and modern identity protection from day one. In this episode of the M365 Show, Mirko Peters is joined by Microsoft Intune MVP Albin Klinaku, founder and CEO of AdVision Swiss AG, to explore how MSPs can build a scalable, Microsoft-first security practice using Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Entra ID. Together, they discuss what separates a modern security-focused MSP from a traditional service provider and why identity has become the new security perimeter. You'll learn how Intune simplifies endpoint management, how Microsoft Defender provides advanced threat detection and response, and how Microsoft Entra ID strengthens authentication through Conditional Access, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Zero Trust principles. The conversation also covers cloud-native device management, Windows Autopilo…

Success in the Microsoft ecosystem isn't determined by winning individual deals—it's built through a repeatable partnership strategy. In this episode of m365.fm, we uncover the twelve most expensive mistakes Microsoft partners make and explain why many organizations struggle to scale despite having excellent products and satisfied customers. From weak marketplace strategies and poor internal ownership to broken co-sell processes and underused incentives, these execution gaps quietly cost partner...

Everyone is talking about GitHub, Copilot, and AI-powered development, leading many to believe Azure DevOps is becoming obsolete. But inside Fortune 500 enterprises, a very different story is unfolding. While GitHub has become the preferred platform for developer productivity and AI-assisted coding, Azure DevOps continues to power the governance, compliance, and operational backbone of enterprise software delivery. In this episode, we explore why Azure DevOps remains indispensable in 2026 and wh...

Your Microsoft AppSource listing could be costing you far more than visibility—it could be costing you qualified leads, customer trust, and closed deals. In this episode, we uncover the most common mistakes Microsoft partners and ISVs make when creating their AppSource listings and explain why simply publishing your solution isn't enough to generate business. A poorly optimized listing can reduce discoverability, weaken credibility, and significantly impact conversion rates. You'll learn what makes a high-performing AppSource listing, from compelling titles and descriptions to screenshots, customer value messaging, SEO, and calls to action. We also discuss the importance of customer reviews, certifications, support information, and how buyers evaluate solutions before reaching out. Even small improvements can make the difference between being overlooked and becoming a trusted choice. Whether you're launching your first Microsoft solution or trying to improve an existing listing,…

Getting listed on the Microsoft Marketplace sounds straightforward—but the reality is far more challenging. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to publish solutions and services in Microsoft's commercial marketplace, from meeting technical requirements and passing certification to creating compelling offers that customers can actually find and buy. Many partners underestimate the complexity, only to discover that getting approved is just the beginning. You'll learn the differences between Azure Marketplace and Microsoft AppSource, when each platform is appropriate, and why marketplace success depends on much more than simply uploading a product. We also discuss common mistakes, marketplace eligibility, co-sell opportunities, private offers, transactable listings, and how Microsoft evaluates submissions. Whether you're an ISV, MSP, Microsoft partner, or software vendor looking to grow through Microsoft's ecosystem, this episode provides practical insights to help you…

The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is undergoing its biggest transformation in years, and many partners are not prepared for what's coming. In this episode, we break down the FY26 Partner Designation restructuring, explaining why Microsoft is simplifying its partner ecosystem and what these changes mean for Solution Partners, MSPs, ISVs, and consulting organizations. You'll discover how the new designation model impacts competencies, incentives, customer trust, and competitive positioning. We also explore Microsoft's growing AI-first strategy, the role of specializations, and the practical actions partners should take now to protect their status and unlock new growth opportunities before the transition takes effect. Whether you're already a Microsoft partner or planning to become one, this episode provides a clear roadmap to navigate the FY26 changes with confidence. Learn what is changing, why it matters, and how to ensure your business stays competitive in Microsoft's rapi…

Microsoft 365 Copilot Agents have the potential to transform the way organizations work—but only when they move beyond simple chat experiences and become deeply integrated into real business processes. In this episode of the M365 FM Podcast, Mirko Peters is joined by Microsoft MVP Steve Corey to explore how organizations can build AI agents that deliver measurable business value rather than simply generating impressive demonstrations. Together, they discuss why successful AI adoption depends on solving business problems, not just deploying new technology. You'll learn how Microsoft 365 Copilot Agents extend the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot by automating multi-step workflows, accessing enterprise knowledge, interacting with Microsoft 365 services, and supporting employees across their daily work. The conversation explains how organizations can combine Microsoft 365, Microsoft Graph, SharePoint, Teams, Power Platform, and Copilot Studio to build intelligent agents that understan…

Becoming a high-performing Microsoft partner requires much more than technical expertise—it demands a business strategy focused on customer success, specialization, recurring revenue, and continuous innovation. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains what separates the world's most successful Microsoft partners from the rest and provides a practical framework for building a profitable, scalable, and future-ready Microsoft business. You'll learn why high-performing partners focus on solving business problems instead of simply delivering technology projects. The episode explores how successful Microsoft partners develop repeatable service offerings, invest in certifications and technical skills, build deep expertise in Microsoft 365, Azure, Security, Business Applications, and AI, and align their business with Microsoft's strategic priorities. You'll also discover why measurable customer outcomes, long-term relationships, and managed services …

The Microsoft Partner journey is about far more than registering as a reseller—it’s a structured path toward building a profitable, trusted, and strategic business within the Microsoft ecosystem. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains every stage of the Microsoft Partner Journey, from becoming a new partner to achieving advanced solution designations, specializations, and long-term business growth. You'll discover how partners create value by combining technical expertise, customer success, and recurring services rather than simply selling Microsoft licenses. The episode walks through the key milestones every Microsoft partner encounters, including joining the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, building technical capabilities, earning certifications, publishing solutions, developing managed services, and aligning with Microsoft's strategic solution areas. You'll learn why competencies alone are no longer enough and how successful partners …

Building a successful Microsoft partner business is no longer just about technical expertise—it’s about creating a strategy that aligns with Microsoft's priorities while delivering measurable customer outcomes. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains the key pillars of a winning Microsoft Partner strategy and how partners can position themselves for sustainable growth in the era of AI, cloud, and recurring services. The episode explores why partners must move beyond project-based work and build scalable, value-driven business models that differentiate them from the competition. You'll learn how to identify your ideal customer profile, choose the right Microsoft solution areas, develop high-value service offerings, and build a specialization strategy around Microsoft 365, Azure, Security, Business Applications, Data & AI, or Modern Work. The discussion also explains the importance of recurring managed services, customer success, partner incen…

In this episode of the M365.fm Podcast, Mirko Peters is joined by Microsoft MVPs Dieter Kempeneers and Dominiek Verham for an in-depth discussion about Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Windows 365, and the future of cloud-delivered desktops. While these technologies often appear similar, they solve different business challenges, and choosing the right platform requires understanding architecture, licensing, management, security, and long-term operational goals. Together, they explain the fundamental differences between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, when each solution makes sense, and how organizations can avoid common mistakes during planning and deployment. The conversation explores real-world customer scenarios, from small businesses looking for simplicity to large enterprises requiring maximum flexibility, scalability, and cost optimization. The episode also covers Microsoft Intune integration, identity management with Microsoft Entra ID, security best practices, disaste…

Artificial Intelligence is only as secure as the foundation it is built on. In this episode of the M365 FM Podcast, Mirko Peters explains why an organization's AI Landing Zone is often its biggest hidden risk. While many companies focus on deploying Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, and custom AI agents as quickly as possible, they frequently overlook the governance, identity, networking, security, and operational controls that make enterprise AI safe and scalable. The result is an AI environment that introduces unnecessary risk instead of accelerating innovation. The episode explores what an AI Landing Zone really is and why it should be treated as the architectural foundation for every AI workload. You'll learn how identity management, role-based access control, data governance, network isolation, monitoring, compliance, and policy enforcement work together to protect AI services from misconfiguration and unauthorized access. The discussion also explains why simply deploying AI servic…

Artificial Intelligence is transforming cybersecurity—but it is also creating new attack surfaces. In this episode of the M365 FM Podcast, Mirko Peters is joined by Microsoft MVP Mourtaza Fazlehoussen to explore how organizations can secure AI-powered environments using Microsoft Copilot, Azure, Microsoft 365, and Zero Trust principles. Rather than treating AI as an isolated technology, the discussion explains why identity, permissions, governance, and continuous verification are now the foundation of enterprise security. The conversation covers how attackers exploit weak identities, excessive permissions, misconfigured cloud services, and unmanaged AI workloads. You'll learn how Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Azure security services, and Microsoft Security Copilot work together to detect threats, automate investigations, and reduce risk across modern Microsoft environments. The episode also explores the importance of least privilege, Conditional Access…

Platform Engineering is changing how organizations build and operate Azure environments. Rather than treating cloud infrastructure as a collection of individual projects, Platform Engineering creates a shared internal platform that gives development teams secure, self-service access to standardized infrastructure, deployment pipelines, monitoring, and governance. The result is faster delivery, greater consistency, and reduced operational complexity. In this episode, you'll learn why traditional cloud operating models often struggle as organizations grow and how Azure platform teams can enable developers without sacrificing security or compliance. The discussion covers concepts such as Infrastructure as Code, reusable templates, platform APIs, self-service provisioning, developer experience, and the importance of treating the platform itself as a product that continuously evolves to meet customer needs. The episode also explains how Platform Engineering differs from traditional D…

Compliance is often treated as a documentation exercise—something organizations prepare for audits rather than embed into their daily operations. In this episode, we challenge that mindset by exploring the concept of Compliance as Code and why modern enterprises must shift from manual governance to automated, architecture-driven trust. You'll learn how compliance requirements can be translated into technical controls that are continuously enforced instead of relying on policies, checklists, and periodic reviews. We explain how infrastructure, identity, security policies, and governance rules can become executable code that validates systems in real time, reducing human error while improving consistency and audit readiness. The episode also explores how Microsoft technologies such as Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, Azure Policy, Infrastructure as Code, and Power Platform governance contribute to building environments where compliance becomes part of the platform itself rat…

AI agents are rapidly becoming autonomous digital workers, but most organizations still manage them like traditional applications or shared service accounts. In this episode, we explore why that approach no longer works and why the future of enterprise AI depends on giving every agent its own governed identity through Microsoft Entra Agent ID. You'll learn why AI agents require far more than authentication. They need ownership, lifecycle management, least-privilege access, auditability, and clear governance boundaries. The discussion explains how Agent IDs fundamentally change enterprise architecture by allowing organizations to assign permissions, monitor activity, enforce security policies, and retire agents just like human employees—without relying on insecure shared credentials. The episode also examines the structural shift from chat-based AI to autonomous execution systems. As agents begin interacting with Microsoft Graph, SharePoint, Power Platform, and business applicati…

Azure Bicep is far more than a cleaner replacement for ARM templates—it's an architectural approach to managing cloud infrastructure at enterprise scale. In this episode, we explore how Bicep enables organizations to build modular, reusable, and maintainable Infrastructure as Code that supports long-term growth instead of creating technical debt. You'll learn why successful Azure environments rely on standardized modules, clear separation of responsibilities, and platform engineering principles rather than large, monolithic deployment templates. The discussion covers how Bicep simplifies collaboration between teams, reduces deployment errors, improves consistency across environments, and integrates seamlessly with Azure Policy, CI/CD pipelines, and governance frameworks. We also examine common mistakes organizations make when adopting Infrastructure as Code, including overcomplicated templates, poor module design, and treating Bicep as just another scripting language instead of …

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how organizations design applications with Microsoft Power Platform. In this episode, Tchesco Ayih explores why traditional user interfaces built around forms, menus, and manual workflows are giving way to AI-first experiences where users simply describe what they want to accomplish. Instead of navigating software, people increasingly interact with intelligent agents that understand context, intent, and business processes. The discussion explains how Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio, AI Builder, and Microsoft Dataverse are evolving into a unified platform for creating intelligent business applications. AI is no longer just an assistant layered on top of existing software—it becomes an active participant capable of generating interfaces, orchestrating workflows, reasoning over enterprise data, and supporting better decision-making. A major focus is the changing role of UX design. Designers must move beyond creating stati…

Azure Bicep is Microsoft’s modern Infrastructure as Code (IaC) language for deploying Azure resources using a clean, declarative syntax. This episode explains why Bicep has become the preferred choice over traditional ARM templates and how it helps teams build repeatable, reliable, and maintainable cloud environments. You'll learn the core building blocks of every Bicep project, including resources, parameters, variables, outputs, modules, conditions, and loops. The discussion also covers symbolic names, automatic dependency management, and how reusable modules simplify even large-scale Azure deployments. Beyond the syntax, the episode focuses on practical implementation. It explains how to organize Bicep projects for real-world environments, separate configuration from infrastructure, and build templates that work consistently across development, test, and production. You'll also hear why version control, code reviews, parameter files, and modular design are essential for succe…

In this episode of M365.FM, Mirko Peters talks with Microsoft MVP Sara Lagerquist about how Power Apps is evolving beyond traditional forms and screens into AI-powered, enterprise-ready business experiences. Instead of treating AI as a feature that is simply added to an app, Sara explains how organizations should design applications where AI becomes a natural part of the user experience, helping employees make better decisions, automate repetitive work, and interact with business data more intelligently. The conversation explores Microsoft's latest innovations, including Generative Pages, Copilot capabilities, Dataverse integration, and modern Power Apps architecture. Sara shares practical guidance on balancing low-code productivity with enterprise requirements such as governance, security, scalability, and maintainability. Rather than focusing on building visually impressive demos, she emphasizes creating business applications that deliver measurable value and remain manageable as…

ARM templates were once the standard for deploying Azure infrastructure, but as cloud environments became more complex, their JSON-based approach revealed serious limitations. In this episode, we explore why many Azure professionals now see ARM templates as difficult to maintain, error-prone, and hard to scale—and why Microsoft introduced Bicep as the modern alternative. You'll learn how Bicep simplifies infrastructure as code with cleaner syntax, reusable modules, stronger tooling, and better readability while still compiling to the same ARM deployment engine. We also discuss the real-world challenges teams face with large ARM templates, including configuration drift, copy-and-paste development, difficult debugging, and poor maintainability. Whether you're managing a handful of Azure resources or enterprise-scale deployments, this episode explains why moving to Bicep isn't just about writing less code—it's about creating infrastructure that's easier to understand, review, autom…

In this episode of M365.fm, Mirko Peters sits down with Microsoft MVP David Benaim to answer one of the biggest productivity questions in modern workplaces: Can Google Sheets really compete with Microsoft Excel? Instead of declaring a single winner, David explains why the answer depends on the task, the team, and the business requirements. The discussion explores where Google Sheets shines, including real-time collaboration, browser-first workflows, and rapid sharing, while also highlighting the areas where Excel continues to dominate. Topics include Power Query, advanced data analysis, automation, large datasets, financial modeling, and enterprise reporting. David also shares lesser-known Google Sheets capabilities that many Excel users overlook, proving that both platforms have evolved far beyond simple spreadsheets. The conversation goes beyond feature comparisons to focus on practical decision-making. Rather than asking which tool is universally better, organizations should …