One of the most important aspects of any search application is the ability to show relevant content that satisfies the needs of your users. Measuring relevance requires combining search results with the app side user interactions, and it can be hard to decide what to collect and how to do it. This is why we are excited to announce our new version of Search Traffic Analytics, a pattern on how to structure, instrument, and monitor search queries and clicks, that will provide you with actionable insights about your search application. You’ll be able to answer common questions, like most clicked documents or most common queries that do not result in clicks, as well as provide evidence for other situations, like deciding on the effectiveness of a new UI layout or tweaks on the search index. Overall, this new tool will provide valuable insights that will let you make more informed decisions.
Let’s expand on the scoring profile example. Let’s say you have a movies site and you think your users usually look for the newest releases, so you add a scoring profile with a freshness function to boost the most recent movies. How can you tell this scoring profile is helping your users find the correct movies? You will need information on what your users are searching for, the content that is being displayed and the content that your users select. When you have the data on what your users are clicking, you can create metrics to measure effectiveness and relevance.
Our solution
To obtain rich search quality metrics, it’s not enough to log the search requests; it’s also necessary to log data on what users are choosing as the relevant documents. This means that you need to add telemetry to your search application that logs what a user searches for and what a user selects. This is the only way you can have information on what users are really interested on and wether they are finding what they are looking for. There are many telemetry solutions available and we didn't invent yet another one. We decided to partner with Application Insights, a mature and robust telemetry solution, available for multiple platforms. You can use any telemetry solution to follow the pattern that we describe, but using Application Insights lets you take advantage of the Power BI template created by Azure Search.
The telemetry and data pattern consists of 4 steps:
1. Enabling Application Insights
2. Logging search request data
3. Logging users’ clicks data
4. Monitoring in Power BI desktop
Because it’s not easy to decide what to log and how to use that information to produce interesting metrics, we created a clear set schema to follow, that will immediately produce commonly asked for charts and tables out of the box on Power BI desktop. Starting today, you can access the easy to follow instructions on the Azure Portal and the official documentation.
Once you instrument your application and start sending the data to your instance of Application Insights, you will be able to use Power BI to monitor the search quality metrics. Upon opening the Power BI desktop file, you’ll find the following metrics and charts:
• Clickthrough Rate (CTR): ratio of users who click on a document to the number of total searches.
• Searches without clicks: terms for top queries that register no clicks.
• Most clicked documents: most clicked documents by ID in the last 24 hours, 7 days and 30 days.
• Popular term-document pairs: terms that result in the same document clicked, ordered by clicks.
• Time to click: clicks bucketed by time since the search query.
Operational Logs and Metrics
Monitoring metrics and logs are still available. You can enable and manage them in the Azure Portal under the Monitoring section.
Enable Monitoring to copy operation logs and/or metrics to a storage account of your choosing. This option lets you integrate with the Power BI content pack for Azure Search as well as your own custom integrations.
If you are only interested in Metrics, you don’t need to enable monitoring as metrics are available for all search services since the launch of Azure Monitor, a platform service that lets you monitor all your resources in one place.
Next steps
Follow the instructions in the portal or in the documentation to instrument your app and start getting detailed and insightful search metrics.
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What to Love About Windows 10
With new features, increased security, simplified IT controls, and more, it's no wonder Windows 10 is deployed on over 400 million devices worldwide. There's a lot of reasons to love Windows 10, so this infographic outlines what you need to know about the best of the best.
Fill out the form below to download the infographic!
For more information on using Windows 10 and other Professional Services, contact us at 800-208-3617
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SharePoint evaluated as a Leader in latest edition of The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Content Management
We are very pleased to see SharePoint evaluated as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Content Management—Business Content Services, Q2 2017. As Forrester noted:
Microsoft instigates content-in-the-cloud with a focus on SharePoint Online. Microsoft’s launch of SharePoint 2016 and ongoing investment into Office 365 and SharePoint Online has proved to be a significant catalyst in enterprises’ decisions to move their enterprise content to cloud services. Support for hybrid deployments continues to be an area of focus, supporting firms adopting cloud in a phased approach, or for specific use cases. Microsoft’s FastTrack migration program, as well as its partners, provides a range of options for customers that want to move documents out of their own in-house data centers or on-premises SharePoint sites. Microsoft has a clear cloud-first vision, and has invested in eliminating the scalability barriers that challenged older, on-premises SharePoint editions. Microsoft continues to work to improve one-stop governance tools, such as common eDiscovery and legal holds across the Office 365 stack. Collaboration, including analytics and social graphing is a major area of focus and investment.
These are interesting times for enterprise content management (ECM). Industry thought leaders have noted the shift from archives for decades-long content retention, to agile collaboration-centric cloud toolsets that also empower security and reuse.
Forrester has been tracking this shift from traditional ECM to what they call business content services. Business content services emphasizes content creation, policy and reuse—but remains distinct from transactional, high volume content services (like those that support credit card processing). Microsoft, through Office 365 and SharePoint Online, has also been at the forefront of the charge.
Microsoft brings Cortana to the Android lock screen
Following a series of beta trials, Microsoft officially announced this morning that it’s bringing its virtual assistant Cortana to the lock screen of Android devices. Initially, Microsoft had tested putting an overview of your day on the lock screen – offering information like the day’s weather, commute times, flight or meeting information, and more – where it could be seen at a glance.
The feature was designed to compete with Google’s own Assistant technology, which also offers similar information.
During the beta, users could head into the Cortana’s Setting menu to switch on lock screen integration. This would place a floating Cortana circle logo with “Swipe to Open” on the screen. If you swiped it, you’d be shown your personalized feed, schedule and the other information Cortana offered.
The Cortana lock screen integration was rolled out earlier this month, Microsoft confirms, but it’s now widely available.
Today, you’re also able to interact with Cortana above the lock, the company says. That means you can ask questions to their virtual assistant, as you could with Siri or Google Assistant, for example, as well as perform various tasks like setting reminders.
This functionality could further challenge Google on its own platform. As Google’s only entry in the PC space is Chrome OS, it may be more useful for Windows users to add Cortana to their phones, given its interoperability across desktop, laptop, and mobile – including iOS and Android, not just Windows 10.
Microsoft says it has also improved the Cortana home on Android, making the information easier to read, along with other improvements like the ability to quickly add reminders and new calendar items, plus easier access to viewing, editing and adding items to lists.
Cortana in December rolled out an updated design on iOS and Android, Microsoft reminded users in today’s announcement. This upgrade had been focused on making it easier to get things done by putting the most important tasks more towards the center of the experience. The default experience is very purple, instead of the blue-and-black of the earlier Cortana look and feel. However, Microsoft added more color options in the weeks after the upgrade, including blue, green, and black.
In addition to its U.S. and U.K. availability, Cortana for iOS and Android is also launching in Australia today.
J. Walter Thompson pioneers new brands on a global scale with Office 365
By Jamie McLellan, chief technology officer at J. Walter Thompson as written on blogs.office.com
For 152 years, J. Walter Thompson (JWT) has been moving at the speed of culture—and in some cases even shaping it.
As one of the world’s best-known communications brands, JWT achieved this level of cultural relevance through our deep understanding of people, from our clients to our employees. And as the CTO of JWT, it is my job to make sure the technology we choose is people-first: supportive, intuitive and connected.
We are a people business, so collaboration among employees and across the agency-client line is key to getting work done. We use Microsoft Office 365 cloud-based services, like the newly launched Microsoft Teams, to support frictionless collaboration among the 12,000 people and 200 offices that make up our global workforce.
One of the most appealing features of Microsoft Teams is the ability to start a small project among four or five people, and expand that group naturally with quick and easy onboarding as the project grows. The threaded conversations, tabs and dedicated Microsoft SharePoint sites within Teams make it simple for new team members to get up to date quickly. The faster that new team members become informed, the sooner they can start contributing value to the project overall.
Microsoft Teams connects our organization with an interface that supports the way we work, and I have seen firsthand how diverse working styles and demographics can all flourish within the Teams framework. For the employees in our company who are excited about technology that mirrors the software they use at home, the immediate chat-based collaboration and feedback across devices and the engaging Teams interface are very familiar and appealing. At the same time, employees who prefer a structured working environment, or who are concerned with policy, find that Teams fully meets their needs as well. It’s the best of both worlds and it’s not often that you find a single tool that has such a wide appeal.
The responsibilities of a large IT group extend beyond providing employees with the most effective tools to do their jobs. We are also accountable for the security concerns of JWT clients, which include some of the world’s largest and best-known brands. Microsoft Teams incorporates advanced Office 365 security and compliance capabilities, giving us and our clients peace of mind. It helps, too, that Microsoft is such a trusted entity; clients are likely to feel safer interacting with us in a Microsoft platform like Teams as opposed to a third-party or start-up program.
We chose Teams as a powerful alternative to a disparate collection of ad hoc solutions. Now, our employees all use the same tool that integrates with the rest of Office 365 to support collaboration, while maintaining a high standard of security. We consider Office 365, and all the powerful tools that come with it, a major strategic investment that helps us continue to shape culture at JWT.
In the future, we envision Teams becoming our central platform for collaboration on a global scale. We see it outpacing third-party tools that are not designed for enterprise collaboration, and enticing users back onto a single platform. The value of Teams is simple and powerful: wherever we can collaborate more productively as a team, we are better able to innovate and create stronger brands for our clients.
Microsoft's first-ever desktop PC blows away the Mac
Whether you're a Mac fan or a PC person, I can hand you any laptop in the world, you can log into your Facebook and Google accounts, and do probably 90% of what you need to do. It means that, for a lot of people, one computer is pretty much interchangeable with any other.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
For the last two months, I've been using a Microsoft Surface Studio — a beautiful all-in-one PC, made with the goal of breathing new life into the tired old desktop computer.
It's Microsoft's first-ever desktop computer, following the well-received Surface Pro tablet and Surface Book laptop lines. Starting at $2,999, it's a piece of premium hardware that's not for everyone. Still, I'm here to tell you that for the last two months, this machine has put a grin on my face every dang day. Here's why:
It's tempting to compare the Surface Studio to Apple's iMac all-in-one PCs. They do share a certain design sensibility. But, in my opinion, the Surface Studio is so much more.
Apple
This is the Surface Studio. It's got a giant, gorgeous 28-inch touchscreen display, and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse. Just like this, it was enough to engender jealousy and admiration from coworkers.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
It's a fabulous computer, with enough processing power to handle all the tabs, Slack chats, and Steam windows I have open. But luxury doesn't come cheap: The cheapest Surface Studio starts at $2,999; the tricked-out configuration I tested goes for $4,199.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
It even comes with a Surface Pen stylus that magnetically clips to the side, much like on the Surface Pro 4 tablet and Surface Book laptop. Note also that the screen is about as thin as the pen.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
The included Bluetooth mouse and keyboard are, you know, fine. Not great, not bad. But if you have strong feelings about mice and keyboards, you probably have your own already?
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
Flipping it around, the back of the computer shows a little more of what makes the Surface Studio so special.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
(If you're wondering, the back of the machine sports 4 USB 3.0 jacks, an SD card reader, and a mini displayport jack. Microsoft was courageous enough to include a headphone jack, as well.)
Just push down on the screen...
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
...and it totally flattens out! Again, note how thin it is. And the hinges make it easy and oddly addictive to push up and down. There's basically no resistance. It's soooo satisfying. Feel free to make "whoosh" sounds when you push it up and down, as I do.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
Pushed all the way down, the Surface Studio sits at a 20 degree angle, which is perfect for sketching and taking notes.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
I'm not an artist (this house is about as far as my artistic talents take me), but it's slick and responsive and a lot of fun to use that way. I've taken to sketching up photos and notes for friends and coworkers on the fly. But wait, what's that in my left hand?
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
Meet Microsoft's $99 Surface Dial. It was introduced alongside the Surface Studio, but it'll work with any Windows 10 PC.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
The idea behind the Surface Dial is that it's a little gadget designed to complement the Surface Pen stylus. So if you're sketching with one hand, your other hand could be choosing colors.
Matt Weinberger/Business Insider
An important note: While the Surface Dial works with any Windows 10 device, you need to be using a Microsoft-made machine like the Surface Studio or Surface Pro to put it straight on your screen.
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
Some more notes on the Surface Dial:
1. It's super-satisfying to turn, and uses rumble feedback to really give you a visceral "click" when you turn it or push it in.
2. I didn't end up using it much in my day-to-day use. It's neat, but the novelty of using it to change the volume of my music or scroll up and down in Google Chrome wears off really quickly.
3. In theory, the Surface Dial adheres to the Surface Studio's screen when it's in the tablet mode, using a tacky surface on the Dial's underside. But if that bottom of the Surface Dial gets dusty or covered in crumbs, it won't stick to the screen as well. Just, um, trust me on this one.
4. It still works when it's not attached to the screen. Just, you know, see point #2.
And then, when you're done with tablet mode, it folds right back up into a PC again. It's super simple, no muss no fuss. You can bring it up and down like DJ Khaled just walked into the building.
Microsoft
Depending on the configuration you get, the Surface Studio packs a surprising amount of power: It's not exactly a dedicated gaming PC, but you can play titles like "Overwatch" at reasonably high settings. Nice.
Blizzard Entertainment
There are a few neat little bonuses, too. Like the fact that the base is cleverly designed to anchor itself steadily in place, but also somehow be really easy to push around your desk. So if you need to flip it around and show someone your notes, you can.
The back of the Surface Studio's base includes the power cable, which Microsoft claims will never come out even if you slide it around your desk.
Matt Weinberger/Business Insider
Compare all of this with Apple's Macs, none of which sport so much as a touchscreen, let alone the other stuff. Suddenly, the iMac looks a little bit...basic.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Like Microsoft's other recent Surface devices (and a few non-Microsoft machines), the Studio also supports Windows Hello, which lets you log in with your face by looking at the camera. Hello was super neat when it was introduced in 2015, and it's super neat now.
Matt Weinberger/Business Insider
And if you're a Mac fan nervous about the Surface Studio because of Windows 10, don't worry. I came to Windows 10 after years of rolling Mac only... and now I'm a big convert. It's just so much easier to stay organized on Windows 10.
Matt Weinberger/Business Insider
It's not TOTALLY perfect. I'd be lying if I said I didn't run into some oddities with the Surface Studio, most commonly a bug that made it so that the machine didn't connect with the mouse or keyboard until I rebooted.
Wikimedia Commons
But, in general, the Surface Studio is an absolute joy to use. I actually looked forward to coming into the office every day to use my computer!
Darren Weaver/Business Insider
The obvious caveat here is that, as a desktop computer, I couldn't put it in my bag with me at the end of the day. Until Microsoft somehow invents a way to fold a 27-inch touchscreen into a backpack, I guess that's why there's the Surface Book laptop.
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
So, to quote the great sage Ferris Bueller, the Surface Studio is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.
4 Ways Outsourcing IT Through Managed Services Will Help Your Business
Businesses around the world are turning to Managed Services to improve their workplace. Boost efficiency while reducing costs by outsourcing your IT department.
Here are 4 ways outsourcing IT through Managed Services will help your business:
Managed Services
1) Experienced professionals
There are very few problems that an IT outsourcing company has yet to see. Although having in-house IT is beneficial, a one-person or small IT team does not necessarily ensure that you have the faculty needed to manage every IT problem that your business might need help with.
A Managed Services Provider will always have experienced professionals that have faced an outstanding variety of situations and knows how to fix them. Meaning, they can provide the resources and expertise to give you assurance that your IT infrastructure needs will be met top to bottom.
2) Reduce IT and labor costs
By outsourcing IT, you can convert fixed costs into variable costs so you can see and budget for exactly what you need. Benefits such as flexible payment models allow you to scale your business up and down so you pay for what you really need day-to-day, and not for what you think you might need.
Furthermore, MSPs (such as Managed Solution) frequently offer discounted rates on software licensing & hardware, while also analyzing your specific technology needs to provide consolidation and elimination of unnecessary technology to maximize your spend.
Lastly, the hiring process of new IT professionals is becoming more and more difficult, lengthy, and expensive. By outsourcing IT you can override this costly step while still getting the best professionals without the hiring hassle.
3) Increase core business efficiency
By eliminating the headache of an IT department, businesses can get back to focusing on what they do best. This means having more time and resources to implement new business ideas, increase competitive advantage, and also relay these benefits onto the customers.
4) Decrease risk (and increase security)
One of the biggest fears of companies today is losing data. With the digitalization of so many, if not all, important documents, files, research, records, and more, companies have to be more and more aware of backup and disaster recovery.
Managed Services providers can easily implement and explain BDR plans that are custom-fit to each company. This means no more worrying about whose hands your data is in if your employee loses his mobile device or company laptop. All your data can be secure and reliable.
Learn more about managed services provided by Managed Solution
3 Reasons to Use an MSP for Remote Server Monitoring
Is your IT department overworked and outstretched?A Managed Services Provider (MSP) can provide cloud-based remote server monitoring to reduce workloads free up your IT resources. In today's business environment, keeping a network running smoothly is never easy, especially when one IT department is trying to manage every project. Here are three reasons to use a Managed Services Provider for remote server monitoring:
1) Cut costs
With options like Pay-As-You-Go, a cloud-based remote server monitoring can save you money while allowing you to scale your company up and down as much as you'd like. In addition, you won't need to hire expensive, highly specialized IT administrators to run your networks. A Managed Services Provider can do all this for you, making outrageous IT expenses a thing of the past.
2) Managed on-the-go
Get alerts and real-time updates about your network from your MSP. So now while you are on the road to a business meeting or conference, you can check on your network's activity without missing a beat. Stay in the loop no matter what by viewing your network at a glance from your mobile device. Just don't check your network and drive.
3) No-hassle setups
It only takes a few minutes for each workstation or server to be up and running with cloud-based server monitoring. Even better, there is no user downtime throughout the whole process, so your business can keep on running while everything is being setup. Worry-free installations can give you time to focus on your business while still having peace of mind that there won't be any software compatibility or vulnerability issues.