Today’s topics include WordPress 5.1 improving security with a site health mechanism, and MS Dynamics 365 getting additional AI and data insights functions.
The latest release of WordPress, version 5.1, is now generally available, providing users with updates to improve site operations and site health. The new release follows the open-source project’s tradition of naming releases after famous Jazz musicians; the code name for the 5.1 release is Betty, after jazz vocalist Betty Carter.
Among the key new features in the release is a check to warn users if they are running older, unsupported versions of the PHP programming language that is needed to operate WordPress.
According to WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg, “Following WordPress 5.0 — a major release which introduced the new block editor — 5.1 focuses on polish, in particular by improving the overall performance of the editor. In addition, this release paves the way for a better, faster, and more secure WordPress with some essential tools for site administrators and developers.”
Bolstered artificial intelligence and data insights features are coming to Microsoft Dynamics 365 as part of the product’s upcoming April updates. The updates will include Dynamics 365 Customer Insights, which will offer users a deeper understanding of customers and what they need to personalize experiences, retain customers and build loyalty.
Another new capability, Dynamics 365 Virtual Agent for Customer Service, will allow businesses to create and manage AI-powered virtual agents that can resolve routine problems and requests for customers.
Also coming is Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection, which is a new cloud-based anti-fraud product for e-commerce merchants that can help them reduce fraud loss, increase bank acceptance rates to yield higher revenue and improve online shopping experiences for customers.