Synology AI Console

As of yesterday, Synology has rolled out several new beta packages. Mainly, Synology MailPlus Server 3.4 and Synology MailPlus 3.4 (client).

On top of those, we also got access to Synology AI Console 1.0.

Synology AI Console 1.0 is a powerful new AI management tool that enables admins to integrate third-party AI into supported Synology packages to boost productivity. It currently supports MailPlus 3.4.0, with more productivity solutions coming soon.

The installation of said platform is accessible via the DSM Package Center under the "beta" section, just like all other beta apps.

Several things that are worth mentioning before going down this road. Primarily, this is still a beta version of the software, and it is intended for evaluation only. Secondly, there will be no going back once this platform is upgraded. Meaning, like any other DSM package, the AI Console will not be downgradable.

While at the moment this integration works only with the Synology MailPlus app, nevertheless, here are the current release notes.

Synology AI Console v 1.0 release notes

Important Note

1. This is the initial beta version of Synology AI Console. For this initial beta version, AI features are only supported in Synology MailPlus 3.4 and later.
2. Synology does not charge for sending AI requests; these charges are determined by the AI providers. For billing inquiries, please contact your AI provider directly. To optimize AI-generated outputs across Synology packages, the input token count includes user inputs, system prompts, and, when applicable, context from prior requests. Learn more about AI usage costs.

What's New

1. Supports connecting to AI service providers via APIs to leverage AI capabilities. Currently supported providers are Amazon Bedrock, Azure OpenAI, Baidu AI Cloud, Google AI Studio, Google Vertex AI, and OpenAI.
2. Supports configuring permissions for supported packages and setting rate limits for each API integration.
3. Supports de-identification by masking selected sensitive data before sending it to external AI service providers. Note that the de-identification feature is only available on devices with 8 GB or more memory.
4. Supports transaction logs and admin logs for monitoring and tracking AI requests and configurations.

Applied Models

• FS-series: FS6400, FS3600, FS3410, FS3400, FS3017, FS2500, FS2017, FS1018
• HD-series: HD6500
• SA-series: SA6400, SA3610, SA3600, SA3410, SA3400D, SA3400, SA3200D
• 24-series: DS224+
• 23-series: RS2423RP+, RS2423+, DS1823xs+, DS923+, DS723+, DS423+
• 22-series: RS822RP+, RS822+, DS3622xs+, DS2422+, DS1522+, DVA1622
• 21-series: RS4021xs+, RS3621xs+, RS3621RPxs, RS2821RP+, RS2421RP+, RS2421+, RS1221RP+, RS1221+, DS1821+, DS1621xs+, DS1621+, DVA3221
• 20-series: RS820RP+, RS820+, DS1520+, DS920+, DS720+, DS620slim, DS420+, DS220+
• 19-series: RS1619xs+, RS1219+, DS2419+II, DS2419+, DS1819+, DS1019+, DVA3219
• 18-series: RS3618xs, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+, RS818RP+, RS818+, DS3018xs, DS1618+, DS918+, DS718+, DS418play, DS218+
• 17-series: RS18017xs+, RS4017xs+, RS3617xs+, RS3617RPxs, RS3617xs, DS3617xsII, DS3617xs, DS1817+, DS1517+
• 16-series: RS18016xs+, RS2416RP+, RS2416+, DS916+, DS716+II, DS716+, DS416play, DS216+II, DS216+

As we can see, presently only six (6) AI platforms are supported according to the release notes:

• Amazon Bedrock
• Azure OpenAI
• Baidu AI Cloud
• Google AI Studio
• Google Vertex AI
• OpenAI

This platform will be given free of charge by Synology, but that doesn't mean it will be free. Depending on the AI of choice, it will come down to the subscription plan that we have with said platform and how much it will be charged upon usage.

What can Synology AI Console do?

Once installed, we will be given several options. DSM admins will be able to:

• Configure AI access permissions for supported Synology packages.
• Enable de-identification features to protect data privacy.
• Monitor and track AI usage, including transaction and admin logs, for comprehensive control and enhanced data protection

Once configured with a specific DSM app, like Synology MailPlus server at the moment, we will get several features that can be configured. Any other app that will be integrated in the future will have its features and options listed on the following Synology KB link:

Which Synology packages support AI integration and what features may incur costs from AI providers? - Synology Knowledge Center

Synology Knowledge Center offers comprehensive support, providing answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshooting steps, software tutorials, and all the technical documentation you may need.

Synology Knowledge CenterSynology Inc.

MailPlus currently can support AI Assistant and AI Summary features with about a dozen options altogether.

AI Assistant options:
Improve writing, Check grammar, Make shorter, Make longer, Sound casual, Sound formal, Translate, Reference, Smart draft, Smart reply, Custom prompt

AI Summary options:
Brief, Detailed, Next steps

Activating AI Console

Before we can configure anything, the AI Console needs to be activated via the Synology Account portal.

Once activated, we will have the option to configure our AI Console with one of six AI providers. Depending on the choice, there will be a number of settings that need to be configured, like API keys, models, or various endpoints. Also, advanced settings will offer, for example, token limitations per user.

The AI Console is pointing out that MailPlus and Office packages have access to this AI integration, and while the beta version of Office is yet to come, we can expect it soon, by the looks of it.

As we configure the DSM app to have access to the AI provider, those options will start to show up as part of the user interface. Using the Synology MailPlus client, we can see that the AI Assistant options are active and the user has even option to disable them should they choose to do so.

Once we start writing a new email, we will be offered a "Help me write" button in the lower left corner that we can use to invoke the AI prompt and start our input.

Expected, the AI provider (OpenAI in this case), gave a fast response that we can then alter or use in an email. Similar to writing an email, we can also use AI to summarize emails for us in order to reply to them again using the AI assistant.

By clicking the summarize button, we can generate a concise or detailed response, with an additional option to display a follow-up to-do list in an email format.

Currently, this feature is only supported on the web version of MailPlus, as the mobile beta version 2.7.1 is still not AI-ready. We can expect the said app to be updated soon, as the last change was in February.

All in all, while these features were announced some time ago, during the 2023 Computex expo, it seems that Synology is finally ready to update its apps with AI power.

Synology & generative AI support in Synology Office and MailPlus

#Synology presenting their AI-supported Office and MailPlus platforms as part of the Computex 2023 expo.

BLACKVOID.CLUBLuka Manestar

For users who are using either MailPlus or Office, or both, this will be a welcome addition, if nothing else, to boost a bit of productivity and save time in the long run. Nothing ground-breaking, but nowadays, having the AI checkmark seems to be mandatory, and Synology is finally making that step.