Category: Random words

Today at Microsoft Ignite, one of the announcements was about Azure Local.

Azure’s adaptive cloud approach, powered by Azure Arc, revolutionizes how over 39,000 customers manage their hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge infrastructure. With Azure Local, you can deploy cloud-connected infrastructure at your physical locations, maintaining operational control while leveraging Azure’s powerful tools and services.

Key Features of Azure Local:

• Unified Management: Operate and scale distributed infrastructure using the Azure portal and APIs, treating physical machines like cloud resources.
• Flexible Deployment: Connect compatible machines to Azure Arc and follow a simple workflow to create an Azure Local instance with customizable clusters, networking, and storage options.
• Seamless Updates: Manage Azure Local updates through Azure Update Manager, ensuring non-disruptive updates in multi-node environments.
• Centralized Monitoring: Integrate with Azure Monitor for unified observability across cloud resources and distributed locations.
• Support for All Apps: Run VMs and containers, Windows and Linux, side-by-side on the same physical infrastructure.
• Enhanced Security: With built-in security features and integration with Microsoft Defender for Cloud, extend cloud security practices to your distributed locations.

Azure Local offers flexible hardware and software options to meet your specific requirements and budget, making it an ideal solution for industries with distributed computing needs. Whether you’re in retail, manufacturing, finance, or government, Azure Local provides the tools to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability.

What do you think about this announcement? Excited?

📖Learn more: Introducing Azure Local, cloud infrastructure for distributed locations enabled by Azure Arc

I’m pleased to share that I’ve recently completed the GitHub Foundations Certification. While it may seem like a small milestone, given my extensive experience with GitHub over the years, it felt like an essential step in formalizing and validating my knowledge.

Credly badge: GitHub Foundations – Credly

GitHub has been a core part of my daily workflow for quite some time. From version control to collaboration on various projects, GitHub has been integral to my consulting and teaching efforts. When teaching Microsoft Official Azure Training like Azure Administrator, Developer, and Architect, … I use several repositories on the Microsoft Learning organization to keep the labs updated. Then we have the Microsoft DevOps Solutions course, aka the AZ-400 exam, that has some modules dedicated to GitHub. We can’t forget the use of GitHub when consulting projects focused on Azure and AI.

Although I’ve worked extensively with GitHub in different contexts, the certification provided me with a structured opportunity to refine and consolidate my understanding of best practices, workflows, and advanced features I may not have encountered daily.

Incorporating GitHub into my Azure DevOps training sessions and consulting projects has always been a natural fit. Whether I’m teaching students about CI/CD pipelines in the AZ-400 course or helping clients with their Azure and AI solutions, GitHub plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration and version control. It’s invaluable when setting up and managing repositories for code, automating workflows, or working with teams across different locations.

While this certification might be a little overdue, given my years of experience, I’m proud to have it as a formal acknowledgment of my expertise. It reminds me that even with extensive experience, there’s always room to learn and grow.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue leveraging GitHub in my projects, teaching, and consulting work while sharing my insights. The platform’s evolving features, especially in the context of Azure and AI, present incredible opportunities for more efficient development and collaboration.

I highly recommend the certification to anyone considering it. It’s an excellent way to validate your skills, stay updated with GitHub’s latest capabilities, and ensure you make the most of this powerful tool in personal and professional projects.

As part of my commitment to sharing knowledge, I’m currently working on creating two new courses: one focused on Git Essentials and another on GitHub. If you’re starting with Git and GitHub, these courses will guide you through the fundamentals and best practices, ensuring you have a solid foundation on which to build. You can find these courses and many others on my learning platform, Learn With Tiago, available at https://learn.tiagocosta.com. Stay tuned for updates, and I look forward to helping you master these essential tools!

I’ll be speaking at the European SharePoint, Office 365 & Azure Conference (ESPC) 2024 in the beautiful city of Stockholm! Mark your calendars for December 3rd to 5th, and get ready for an incredible event filled with learning, networking, and inspiration.

I’m particularly excited to share that my session, “Azure Infrastructure as a Service Unleashed: A Comprehensive Journey into Design, Deploy, Manage IaaS Workloads,” will dive deep into the intricacies of Azure IaaS. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your Azure journey, this session promises to equip you with valuable insights and practical knowledge to harness the full potential of Azure’s capabilities.

ESPC 2024 is a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry experts, explore the latest innovations, and gain insights that can propel your career forward. I can’t wait to see you there and share this learning experience with you!

Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to register for ESPC 2024. See you in Stockholm!

More information at https://www.sharepointeurope.com/

As the curtains draw on yet another Global Azure Portugal, it’s time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the collective achievements and milestones we’ve reached together. As both an organizer and a speaker, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the energy and passion of the local Azure and AI community.

From the bustling corridors filled with eager attendees to the engaging sessions buzzing with thought-provoking discussions, Global Azure Portugal was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and innovation in shaping the future of cloud computing.

My Experience as a Speaker

As a speaker, I had the privilege of sharing insights and expertise on Azure Open AI during my session and moderating a panel discussion on AI’s transformative potential. The impact of these sessions was profound, sparking meaningful conversations, challenging perspectives, and empowering attendees to explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence.

The audience’s enthusiasm and curiosity reaffirmed the boundless possibilities that Azure technologies offer in driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and unlocking new opportunities across industries and domains. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, we explored AI’s practical applications, its ethical implications, and the role of collaboration in advancing responsible AI solutions.

Experience as an Organizer

Together with Pedro Sousa, I had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of speakers and volunteers who shared a common vision of delivering an exceptional conference experience. From meticulous planning and logistics to seamless execution and attendee engagement, every aspect of the conference was meticulously crafted to ensure maximum value and impact for participants and sponsors alike.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, who played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Their invaluable support and resources elevated the conference to new heights. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and community empowerment was evident in every interaction, exhibition, and networking opportunity throughout the event.

Some conference highlights stand out:

Networking: We more than 180 individual participants, Global Azure Portugal provided a platform for attendees to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals and industry experts.

Sessions: From technical deep dives to strategic insights, the diverse range of sessions catered to attendees’ varying interests and expertise levels, empowering them to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Community: The conference fostered knowledge sharing and skill development and strengthened the bonds within the Azure and AI community, paving the way for future collaborations and partnerships.

Looking Ahead

As we bid farewell to another successful edition of Global Azure Portugal, our journey is far from over. The momentum, energy, and passion ignited during this event will continue to propel us forward as we embark on new adventures at the Azure and AI User Group Portugal and explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference – from our sponsors and speakers to our attendees and volunteers. Your support, dedication, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind our shared journey.

Global Azure Portugal 2025 organization starts TODAY!

Until we meet again!

With great excitement and honor, I share the news of being selected as the MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) Regional Lead for 2024. Becoming an MCT Regional Lead has been challenging and rewarding, filled with countless hours of dedication to honing my skills and staying abreast of the latest technology. As I step into this new role, I look forward to contributing to the vibrant MCT community and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Having served as a Regional Lead since 2015, being selected for 1 more year represents a continued commitment to excellence and leadership within the MCT community.

The MCT Program:
The Microsoft Certified Trainer program is renowned for bringing together a community of passionate and knowledgeable professionals dedicated to enhancing technical skills and fostering learning experiences. Serving as an MCT Regional Lead provides an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the community’s future and contributing to fellow trainers’ success.

The New Badge:
One of the highlights of this year’s MCT program is the introduction of the new badge for MCT Regional Leads. This badge symbolizes expertise in Microsoft technologies and a commitment to leadership and community engagement. The badge serves as a visual representation of the dedication and passion that MCT Regional Leads bring to their roles, setting them apart as critical contributors to the success of the MCT community.

The Responsibilities:
As an MCT Regional Lead, I am committed to supporting and guiding trainers within my region, facilitating communication, and fostering a sense of camaraderie among MCTs. The responsibilities include organizing local events, providing mentorship, and ensuring the MCT community remains a dynamic hub for continuous learning and collaboration.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:
Collaboration has always been at the heart of the MCT community, and this year will be no different. I am eager to collaborate with other MCT Regional Leads, Microsoft, and the broader community to create meaningful initiatives and events. Together, we can empower trainers to stay at the forefront of technology and deliver top-notch learning experiences.

As I embark on this exciting journey as an MCT Regional Lead for 2024, I am grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead. The MCT community has been instrumental in my professional growth, and I am eager to give back by contributing to the success and development of fellow trainers. The new badge is not just a symbol; it represents a commitment to excellence, leadership, and a passion for continuous learning. Here’s to a year filled with collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the collective success of the MCT community!