Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending CollabDays at Bletchley Park, a place steeped in history and innovation. The sessions were incredibly insightful, and I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry.
CollabDays are community-driven events focused on sharing knowledge and best practices around collaboration tools, primarily Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and related technologies. These events gather professionals, developers, and IT enthusiasts for a day of sessions, workshops, and networking to explore ways to enhance productivity and collaboration within organisations. They provide an excellent platform for learning from experts, discussing real-world use cases, and connecting with peers who share similar interests in modern workplace solutions.
Bletchley Park and the Colossus Machine
Bletchley Park, located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, was the central site for British codebreakers during World War II. It played a pivotal role in deciphering the encrypted communications of the Axis powers, significantly contributing to the Allied war effort. The site housed some of the most brilliant minds of the time, including Alan Turing, who developed the Bombe machine to break the Enigma code. Bletchley Park’s work remained a closely guarded secret for many years, but its contributions to cryptography and computing are now widely recognised and celebrated.
The Colossus machine was developed by British engineer Tommy Flowers and his team at the Post Office Research Station in Dollis Hill. It was designed to break the Lorenz cipher, used by the German High Command for their most secure communications. The first Colossus machine became operational in December 1943, and its success led to the construction of several more machines. Colossus significantly reduced the time required to decipher Lorenz-encrypted messages, providing valuable intelligence to the Allied forces. The machine’s innovative use of vacuum tubes and electronic circuits laid the groundwork for modern computing.
The sessions
Colossus, Explained
The Colossus machine, housed in the Colossus Room at The National Museum of Computing, is renowned as the world’s first programmable, electronic, digital computer. Developed during World War II, it played a crucial role in deciphering the Lorenz-encrypted messages used by the German High Command. The machine’s ability to process and analyse vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds marked a significant milestone in the history of computing. During the session, Rob, a volunteer at the museum, provided an engaging talk on the history and significance of Colossus, highlighting its impact on the war effort and its legacy in the field of computing.
Rob’s perspective is particularly valuable because of his extensive knowledge and passion for the history of computing. As a volunteer at The National Museum of Computing, he has dedicated countless hours to preserving and sharing the stories of these pioneering technologies. His insights into the development and operation of Colossus offer a unique and in-depth understanding of its importance and the challenges faced by the codebreakers during the war.
One of the most captivating aspects of Rob’s talk was the personal anecdotes he shared about the individuals who worked on Colossus. He humanised the herculean efforts of the codebreakers, painting a vivid picture of their dedication and ingenuity. For instance, he recounted a remarkable story about a married couple who both worked at Bletchley Park but kept their involvement a secret from each other. They worked alternate shift patterns and never met during their time at Bletchley. It wasn’t until they visited the museum together many years later that they discovered each other’s secret. This couple had diligently kept their work at Bletchley Park a secret for most of their lives, highlighting the profound sense of duty and confidentiality that characterised the codebreakers’ efforts.
These anecdotes brought to life the very personal history of Colossus and the codebreakers at Bletchley Park, highlighting their resilience and the profound impact of their work on the outcome of the war. The human stories behind the technology underscored the incredible dedication and sacrifice of those who worked tirelessly to break the codes and contribute to the Allied victory.
Copilot and Cryptography: Using Prompts Effectively
This session explored the intersection of AI and cryptography, focusing on how to leverage Microsoft Copilot to enhance cryptographic tasks. Attendees learned how to craft effective prompts to streamline cryptographic processes, improve security measures, and automate routine tasks. The session included practical demonstrations and real-world examples to illustrate the potential of Copilot in cryptographic applications.
The presenter for this session was Emma Grace, an expert in Security and Compliance for Microsoft 365 with a passion for cryptography. Stacy’s perspective is particularly important because of her extensive experience in developing and implementing security solutions within Microsoft 365. Her passion for cryptography and the historical setting of Bletchley Park provided a unique backdrop for demonstrating the tools to write effective AI prompts.
Emma demonstrated how poor prompts would not help decrypt a coded message, but by using effective prompts and a bit of Excel magic, she was able to decrypt a Caesar cipher with relative ease. This practical demonstration highlighted the importance of clear and precise instructions when working with AI tools. Emma’s ability to combine her expertise in security and compliance with her passion for cryptography made this session both informative and engaging.
Using Azure OpenAI in SharePoint Framework Solutions
This session delved into the integration of Azure OpenAI with SharePoint Framework solutions. Participants discovered how to harness the power of AI to enhance SharePoint applications, automate content management, and improve user experiences. The session covered best practices, implementation strategies, and case studies showcasing successful integrations.
The presenter for this session was Anoop Tatti, a Microsoft MVP in the M365 Development category. Anoop’s extensive experience in Microsoft 365 development and his role in the Patterns and Practices (PnP) team provided valuable insights into the practical applications of Azure OpenAI.
Anoop’s session was particularly engaging as he highlighted the benefits of using your own Azure OpenAI service to integrate into customisations. One notable example demonstrated the integration of a GPT-4 model into a custom web part to provide multi-language summaries of a SharePoint page. This practical demonstration showcased how AI can be used to enhance SharePoint applications, making them more accessible and user-friendly.
Unleashing Copilot’s Potential – From Zero to Hero with Custom Connectors and Plugins
This session guided attendees through the process of creating custom connectors and plugins for Microsoft Copilot. By the end of the session, participants had a comprehensive understanding of how to extend Copilot’s capabilities to meet specific business needs. The session included hands-on exercises and examples to ensure participants could apply their knowledge effectively.
The presenter for this session was Ejaz Hussain, a seasoned Developer Architect and Microsoft Valuable Professional (MVP). Ejaz is driven by innovation and specialises in solving business challenges with Microsoft 365 and Azure.
During the session, Ejaz explored the differences between plugins and connectors and specifically considered the use cases for each type of extension. He emphasised the importance of extending Copilot’s reach into external organisational systems. This resonated particularly well for me personally, as we are looking at ways of expanding our use of Copilot and need to consider ways of including our service and sales data, neither of which resides in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem natively.
One notable example showcased how to integrate a custom connector with an external API to provide real-time data within Copilot. The hands-on exercises allowed attendees to apply their knowledge and gain practical experience in developing custom solutions. Ejaz’s engaging presentation style and practical demonstrations made this session both informative and inspiring.
From the Field – Power Platform Governance
This well-attended session focused on governance strategies for the Power Platform. Attendees learned best practices for managing environments, ensuring compliance, and maintaining security. The session included real-world examples of a successful and ongoing governance implementation.
This session’s presenter was Jimmy Hang, Techlead Power Platform at Bane NOR in Norway and a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Jimmy has a deep understanding of the Power Platform and loves Azure Automation. His extensive experience and passion for these technologies provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of governance.
During the session, Jimmy discussed the importance of a robust governance framework to manage Power Platform environments effectively. He highlighted the key components of a governance strategy, including environment management, compliance, and security. Jimmy also shared real-world examples of his ongoing governance implementation, demonstrating how organisations can ensure their Power Platform environments are secure and compliant.
One of the key strategies Jimmy emphasised was implementing the Power Platform Centre of Excellence (CoE). The CoE provides a comprehensive framework for managing and governing Power Platform environments. By establishing best practices and providing tools for monitoring and managing Power Platform activities, the CoE enables organisations to maintain control over their environments, ensure compliance, and drive innovation.
Jimmy’s session was particularly engaging due to his humorous anecdotes. He shared a story about applying Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies to Power Platform environments and learning the hard way that this turns off all flows that use connectors no longer allowed by the new policy. This can be quite impactful in a large organisation if it is not tested thoroughly. His ability to combine technical expertise with relatable stories made the session informative and entertaining.
From Chaos to Clarity: Mastering Enterprise Content Management
This session covered the principles and practices of effective enterprise content management and knowledge management. Participants learned how to organise, manage, and secure content across their organisation using Microsoft 365 tools and techniques. The session included case studies and practical tips for implementing a robust content management strategy.
The presenters for this session were Rebecka Isaksson and Eric Shupps. Rebecka is an experienced thought leader with a passion for technology, people, and behaviour. She specialises in people and culture change, providing guidance on how smart use of knowledge can generate significant business value when powered responsibly and ethically by AI technology. Eric has over 30 years of experience in the industry, primarily focused on Microsoft software and services, Eric has extensive expertise in enterprise content management. He is also a frequent speaker at user group meetings and conferences around the world.
During the session, Rebecka and Eric discussed the importance of having a clear and organised content management system. They highlighted the key components of an effective content management strategy, including content classification, metadata management, and access control. The session also covered sensitivity and labelling, records management, and eDiscovery, providing a comprehensive overview of knowledge governance using Microsoft 365 tools and techniques.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the importance of using modern tools and technologies to manage content effectively. Rebecka and Eric showcased how AI and machine learning can be used to automate content classification and improve search capabilities, making it easier for users to find and access the information they need. Eric pointed out that he (literally) wrote the book on ECM back in 2010, and many of those techniques are still valid today. A lot of the technology is still pretty much the same, too!
Their practical tips and real-world examples gave attendees actionable strategies to enhance their content and knowledge management systems.
Building an AI strategy with the Microsoft Copilots
Kevin McDonnell presented this session. Kevin is a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365, highlighting his deep knowledge and recognition in the tech community. He also co-hosts the Copilot Connection podcast. His passion for sharing knowledge and extensive experience make him a valuable asset to the tech community.
The session provided a comprehensive roadmap for developing and implementing an AI strategy using Microsoft Copilots. Attendees were guided on identifying opportunities for AI integration, developing a strategic plan, and measuring the impact of AI initiatives.
The session highlighted the importance of understanding the various Microsoft Copilots and how they can be integrated to empower organisations with AI. It emphasised the rapid pace of AI development and the necessity for organisations to form a strategy for its usage and governance. The session warned that those who do not plan for AI integration will be left behind, and those who let it happen without planning will face challenges later.
During the session, we learned how to build a strategy to help our organisations understand and adopt AI. The session showcased the different types of Copilots that can assist across various organisational roles and scenarios. It also covered when to consider extending Copilot and even building custom ones.
A really useful session for anyone interested in the latest advancements in Microsoft technologies and workplace AI. It provided valuable insights and practical knowledge that will help organisations harness AI’s power effectively.
In summary…
The juxtaposition of Bletchley Park’s historical significance with the advanced AI topics discussed at CollabDays highlights the importance of staying relevant in an ever-changing world. The Colossus machine, a marvel of its time, revolutionised codebreaking and laid the foundation for modern computing. Today, we continue to build on this legacy with cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning, which are transforming industries and driving innovation.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, it is crucial to embrace new technologies and adapt to evolving challenges. The sessions at CollabDays underscored the potential of AI to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and improve decision-making. By leveraging tools like Microsoft Copilot and Azure OpenAI, organisations can stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in a rapidly developing landscape.
At Cielo Costa, we are committed to helping our clients develop effective strategies for the use of technology in an ever-changing world. Our expertise in AI, cloud computing, and enterprise content management enables us to provide tailored solutions that drive growth and innovation.
Together, we can navigate the future of technology and achieve success in a dynamic environment. Contact us if you want help navigating your technology challenges.
Looking forward to applying these insights and continuing the conversations sparked at this event!
Photos courtesy of Mark Cherry – official event photographer.
