A recap from Microsoft Ignite 2018

Another Ignite conference has been completed, and I’m on my way back home to sleep for as long as possible.  For those that weren’t able to attend, or for those that did attend but weren’t watching the video wall showing 12 sessions simultaneously, you can catch up via the session recordings that are available through https://myignite.microsoft.com.  Here are a few that I recommend (click the link to get to the video):

• GS004 - Simplify your IT management and level up with Microsoft 365.  In this packed general session, Brad Anderson kicks off with an overview of Microsoft 365 modern management, including announcements around Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Intune, System Center Configuration Manager, Desktop Analytics, and much more.
• BRK3035 - What’s new in System Center Configuration Manager.  In this huge and full room, Rob York and Dune Desormeaux present and coordinate with several other members of the ConfigMgr team to talk about what’s new with ConfigMgr, and to dispel (finally?) the notion that ConfigMgr is dead.
• BRK3039 - Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus lifecycle and servicing update.  Did you hear about the changes to the Windows 10 servicing timelines for Windows 10 Enterprise and Education, with 30 months now (instead of 18) for the fall releases?  John Wilcox and Bruno Nowak cover these changes and more in this session that explores Windows and Office servicing.
• BRK3036 - Managing devices with Microsoft Intune: What's new and what's next.  Paul Mayfield and Terrill Cox talk about what’s new with Microsoft Intune, which includes cool stuff like installation of Win32 apps using Intune Management Extensions, ADMX-backed policies to support GPO policies via Intune, support for security templates for Windows 10, Windows Autopilot capabilities, and some stuff about other platforms too.
• BRK3014 - Modern deployment with Windows Autopilot and Microsoft 365 (Part 1 of 2) and
  BRK3015 - Modern deployment with Windows Autopilot and Microsoft 365 (Part 2 of 2).  Tanvir Ahmed and I had so much to share about Windows Autopilot we needed two sessions to do it.  (Sorry if you couldn’t get into the rooms – even with rooms that were 2-3 times bigger than the ones we used last year, there still weren’t enough seats.)  Check out the videos to learn more about the latest Autopilot scenarios, including self-deploying devices, user-driven deployments with Active Directory join (Hybrid Azure AD Join), and Windows Autopilot for existing devices which can be used for Windows 7 to Windows 10 migrations.
• BRK3099 - Microsoft OneDrive deployment deep dive.  In this session, I make a guest appearance to show how Windows Autopilot for existing devices can leverage OneDrive for Business for data migration and Intune for automatic configuration.  Tony East, Gaia Carini,and Katy Erlandson talk about all the enhancements being delivered with OneDrive.
• BRK3019 - Delivery Optimization deep dive: How to reduce internet bandwidth impact on your network.  Narkis Engler and Kerim Hanif talk about Delivery Optimization (DO) for peer-to-peer content distribution, and talk about what’s coming, including support for using DO with ConfigMgr and Intune content.
• BRK3016 - Shared devices for kiosk and Firstline Workers with Windows 10 and Intune.  Kellie Eickmeyer and Ariel Netz explore how to set up shared devices, kiosks, and digital signage using Windows 10, Intune, and related technologies.
• BRK3027 - Deploying Windows 10: Making the update experience smooth and seamless.  Suma SaganeG0wda and Patrick Siu talk about the platform improvements being made to the Windows 10 deployment process, reducing the amount of time that it takes to install updates and reducing the size of those updates too.

There are plenty of other interesting sessions once you finish these 11 hours, but you can discover those on your own…