Protect Your Business from Cyber-Attacks

Tabarin Consulting takes a probing look at how Microsoft Office 365 addresses the cyber-security concerns of small business owners like Bryce McDonald, whose company, Day1 Wake, delivers wakesurf boards to customers across the country. Bryce knows that, wherever he goes, Office 365 multi-layer security is working 24/7 to safeguard the integrity of his business data. Contact us--we'd love to show you how Office 365 can do the same for you.

What is resiliency in Azure?

Is your current IT infrastructure resilient? Do you have high availability of hardware and datacenters? Does it provide you with uninterrupted service? At Tabarin Consulting, we know how to help you create the resilient cloud-based infrastructure you need. Maintaining acceptable continuous performance is easy with Azure. With disaster recovery protection against loss through services such as Azure Site Recovery and geo-redundant storage (GRS), you can be sure your data is protected.

View: What is resiliency in Azure?

5 ways to make Outlook work for you

This infographic details 5 ways to sign off, get attention, collaborate and more. These experiences are available in Outlook 2016 and Outlook for Office 365.

View: 5 ways to make Outlook work for you

SQL Server and Azure SQL Database GDPR Guidance

The task of GDPR compliance can be overwhelming for businesses but it doesn't have to be. This guide is intended to help businesses better understand what GDPR entails and begin the process of adapting their current security measures to meet the new requirements. Luckily for small and large businesses alike, Microsoft has done a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to preparing the infrastructure for successful compliance.

View: SQL Server and Azure SQL Database GDPR Guidance

Growing SQL Server: Features from 2008 to 2017

As the end of service approaches for SQL Server 2008, let's take a moment to reflect on where we have been and the exciting new innovations available with SQL Server 2017.

View: Growing SQL Server: Features from 2008 to 2017

I have solutions from many vendors in my IT environment. How can Microsoft help me secure our entire digital landscape?

Keep your data protected as your business grows and changes with the times. Whether you're adding apps, devices, or moving to the cloud, Microsoft 365 ensures your data is secure without overburdening your security team.

View: I have solutions from many vendors in my IT environment. How can Microsoft help me secure our entire digital landscape?

Customer Story: SitePro - part 5

SitePro is pushing the boundaries of what's possible for their oil and gas customers. To do this, they needed to be as agile and as informed as possible. They moved to Azure to enjoy the freedom and possibilities of the cloud.

PCL Construction LLC

PCL Construction LLC uses IoT to connect their management with their jobsites. The devices alert builders and management to issues with construction. With the sensors, they can monitor the temperature, humidity, and pressure in over 483 units, something that would normally be done by hand. Now they can focus workers on more important things that drive value back to the company. At Tabarin Consulting, we can help you deliver the same results. Contact us today to learn more.

How small businesses can safeguard their data

With security risks like compromised credentials, stolen devices, and human error, keeping your business protected can seem overwhelming, especially for a small business that may not have the resources to dedicate to it. Microsoft 365 offers a complete solution, with tools like multifactor identification and data encryption that cover the areas you can't.

View: How small businesses can safeguard their data

How can Microsoft help me understand my current security posture and get recommendations on how to improve?

This Thought Leadership provides an overview of the offerings Microsoft 365 has to help security CISOs and other security professionals gain better visibility and control of their current and future security position.

View: How can Microsoft help me understand my current security posture and get recommendations on how to improve?

New eBook from Tabarin Consulting

In this ebook, you'll learn seven ways Office 365 can help you improve communication and teamwork to make your business more effective, collaborative, and successful.

View: New eBook from Tabarin Consulting

5 Ways cloud computing is changing the business world

Fortune 500 businesses all over the globe rely on cloud computing and storage on a daily, if not second-to-second basis. Even though the cloud has become a necessary part of doing business in today's world, maintaining security can be a complex undertaking. That's why 90% of Fortune 500 businesses trust their cloud computing to Microsoft. At Tabarin Consulting, we want you to have the best and most trusted cloud on the market. Contact us to find out more.

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Turbocharge Your Business Productivity

At Tabarin Consulting, we know that empowering your employees to collaborate is a challenge for many organizations. Every group has their own way of doing things, but there are few tools out there that allow you to work the way you want, so you can focus on what really matters. Office 365 provides an integrated solution, so everyone can collaborate more effectively. Contact us to find out how we can help your business integrate Office 365 and check out this article.

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Microsoft is serious about security

Office 365 delivers multiple layers of security that work together to protect your data.

Brewing a new age: Carlsberg taps technology to modernize a centuries-old company

Transforming your business to meet modern demands is not an easy task. At Tabarin Consulting, we want to give you the tools to ensure your organization is up to speed. Carlsberg Group uses Azure to modernize and merge its 140-brewery empire. You can transform and enhance your business in the same way using the same tools as Carlsberg at an affordable price. Watch this video and contact us to find out more.

Music x Technology: Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino wanted to create a virtual world that would blend the physical and digital and allow his fans to experience his world. With a team from Microsoft, Childish Gambino began work on PHAROS, a unique VR experience. It's this kind of innovation that drives businesses to greatness. That's why great businesses choose Microsoft. At Tabarin Consulting, we want you to have the most innovative tools to meet the demands of a digital world. Contact us to find out more.

SQL Database Engine Blog: What is Azure SQL Database Managed Instance?

Curious about the new Azure SQL Database Managed Instance? This article covers specifics about the offering, including features, security, scalability, and architecture.

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Maximizing the impact of your IoT Proof of Concept

The Internet of Things (IoT) offers businesses opportunities for incredible savings and growth. However, an IoT solution may also require a significant up-front investment. At Tabarin Consulting, we can help you find the solution that fits your business needs and help you implement that technology to maximize your return. Contact us to learn more.

View: Maximizing the impact of your IoT Proof of Concept

Azure IoT PaaS vs SaaS

With SaaS and PaaS, the right solution is different for every business. SaaS can provide predictable pricing options without the need to construct an in-house management solution. PaaS allows businesses with cloud and device expertise to fine-tune their IT services to reduce costs and maximize return on investment. The decision is up to you, but you're not alone. At Tabarin Consulting, we can help facilitate your decision and guide you along the way. Contact us to learn more.

View: Azure IoT PaaS vs SaaS

Your Data is Safe with Office 365

Small businesses deserve the benefits of the cloud as much as any other company, and now they can do so without worrying about the security of their data.

IoT in the Workplace: Smart Office Applications for Better Productivity

The "smart office" or office equipped with IoT devices, represents an intelligent ecosystem that businesses rely on to monitor, control, and manage various operations and working conditions within their organization. At Tabarin Consulting, we have the tools and know the solutions that will be best for integrating connected devices into your organization. With the right help, you can drive transformation. Contact us for a consultation to find out more about your IoT possibilities.

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13 Security Solutions for Small Business

Ready to take a step toward cyber safety? Here's a collection of tools, services and other solutions to secure your business and prevent cyberattacks.

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Enterprise cloud strategy

At Tabarin Consulting, we know that you have questions about how to transition to the cloud. In this book, you'll see how you can exploit the ever-expanding feature set of the cloud to gain strategic and competitive advantage. It will also discuss what applications you'll use and how your organization will change by transitioning to the cloud. Answering your questions is a priority for us, and this book will help address some of the common questions you'll likely encounter during cloud adoption.

View: Enterprise cloud strategy

Why choose Office 365 over the Google Cloud?

At Tabarin Consulting, we know you need a substantial enterprise lineup when it comes to collaboration, security, and machine learning tools so your organization can realize its full potential. Office 365, part of Microsoft 365, is a complete solution, empowering creativity and collaboration. No other cloud service provider, including Google, can match the depth and breadth of Office 365. Learn how they pair up in this comparison tool and contact us to find out more.

View: Why choose Office 365 over the Google Cloud?

Your Data is Safe with Office 365

In this video, Tabarin Consulting explores how Office 365 works overtime to safeguard the business data of entrepreneurs like Bryce McDonald, owner/operator of Day1 Wake, a company that makes wakesurf boards for customers around the world. While giving Bryce unprecedented freedom and flexibility, Office 365 provides multiple layers of security, which Microsoft monitors 24/7. Contact us to learn how Office 365 can do the same for you.

Cloud identity and asset management

Scaling your applications could be costing you more than you think. At Tabarin Consulting, we know how to help you enhance your business so that you can take advantage of huge cost savings. By moving to the cloud, you can create highly scalable applications in Azure. Applications can shrink and stretch to accommodate changes in usage, removing the need for expensive on-premises hardware saving your organization money and time.

View: Cloud identity and asset management

WS + SQL 2008 Extended Security Updates FAQ

As the end of support for Windows Server SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 approaches, questions will undoubtedly arise, especially relating to the Extended Security Updates offered by Microsoft. This document is here to answer those questions.

View: WS + SQL 2008 Extended Security Updates FAQ

Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

Why move your on-premises SQL Server to the Azure cloud? Check out this infographic to learn about the savings and latest technological benefits of switching to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance.

View: Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance

How do I find and manage shadow IT and rogue devices, and put policies in place to ensure we remain secure?

New cloud app capabilities offer the potential for teams to work smarter and more efficiently than ever before, but they can put huge pressure on IT and security teams to ensure company data remains secure without hindering forward progress. Microsoft 365 tools allow you to do this.

View: How do I find and manage shadow IT and rogue devices, and put policies in place to ensure we remain secure?

Customer story: Steelcase

Steelcase believes that optimizing office space for productivity can fuel employee engagement. That's why they monitor customer office space and provide feedback on how to manufacture a productive work environment. To analyze IoT data, they receive real-time reporting from Azure to create actionable insights for customers. You can do the same. At Tabarin Consulting, we can help you integrate solutions that help you get the most from your IoT data. Contact us to learn more.

Customer Story: SitePro - part 4

SitePro is harnessing the power of technology through the IoT and cloud capabilities to help their customers create safer, more efficient work environments.

Defend, protect, secure. IT heroes in action.

Walk through a week in the life of IT professionals to see the variety of work they do each day to address threats and protect your organization.

View: Defend, protect, secure. IT heroes in action.

Three reasons why Windows Server and SQL Server customers continue to choose Azure

For the past 25 years, companies of every size have trusted Windows Server and SQL Server to run their business-critical workloads. In fact, more than 70 percent of on-premises server workloads today run on Windows Server.

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Protect your data in files, apps, and devices, within and across an organization

In addition to protecting endpoints, Microsoft believes in protecting data, starting at its very inception. Check out the strategies and tools they have to keep data protected across all scenarios in this informational document.

View: Protect your data in files, apps, and devices, within and across an organization

Don't Miss Another Post from Tabarin Consulting

The cloud changes the way small businesses gets stuff done. Sign up for emails that keep you posted on how we can help your company grow.

View: Don't Miss Another Post from Tabarin Consulting

6 Tips For Tech Executives' Success In Today's World Of Technology

Gartner projected that close to $216 billion in IT spending will graduate to the cloud by 2020. Microsoft cloud services provide businesses with on-premises hardware the ability to transition to the cloud seamlessly. Collect, distribute, and analyze data with ease across the cloud while maintaining your on-premises assets, and analyze your data with AI without bringing it to the cloud. At Tabarin Consulting, we want you to have the best of both worlds. Contact us to find out more.

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15 Ways Leaders Can Promote Creativity In The Workplace

At Tabarin Consulting, we know that fostering creativity is vital to your organization. It drives productivity and employee satisfaction while allowing your business to innovate and differentiate in new and exciting ways. Having the right tools to encourage creativity is just as important as the desire to promote it. With Office 365, your employees have access to a vast set of tools to express their creativity. Contact us to find out how we can help your business integrate Office 365.

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Infographic: Edit files offline with Office 365

One more reason to love #Office365: Microsoft Word, everyone's favorite word-processing program, is compatible with all your apps.

The Microsoft Cloud gives insight into every swing

At Tabarin Consulting, transforming your business to meet modern demands is not an easy task. That's why we constantly offer you solutions to innovate, integrate, and achieve success. The PGA Tour does all three on a daily basis with Microsoft cloud computing. With affordable pricing, amazing compute power, and hybrid integration capabilities, your organization can transition to the cloud, too, and do it at your own speed. Watch this video and contact us to find out more.

Football, Teamwork and Technology: California School for the Deaf

Good communication is vital for every organization. At Tabarin Consulting, we want you to have the best communication within your organization possible. At the California School for the Deaf, they use Microsoft Surface with Office 365 to review and create plays then disseminate them to the players. It's brought a new level of communication that allows them to win big. Imagine what it could do for your organization. Contact us to find out more.

Bringing digital transformation to the supply chain with Azure IoT Suite

When a problem affects the supply chain of your organization, customers and future sales could be in jeopardy. That's why it's important to know what's going on with your equipment. With connected devices, you have access to data like never before so you can prevent issues before they become problems. At Tabarin Consulting, we want to help you integrate IoT into your business operations today. Contact us to learn more.

View: Bringing digital transformation to the supply chain with Azure IoT Suite

Customer Story: SitePro - part 3

This week, delve deeper into the multiple service offerings from Azure that allow SitePro to run their entire turnkey application from this single platform.

Connect your business with IoT. Get started with Microsoft IoT!

Why should you adopt the Internet of Things? Imagine knowing you need to fix your equipment before it fails, gaining fast insight from every device to feed your understanding of the constantly evolving situation. That's the power of IoT. Drive transformation within your business and get the help you need with Tabarin Consulting. We have years of experience with connected devices for businesses just like yours. Contact us today to learn more.

View: Connect your business with IoT. Get started with Microsoft IoT!

Customer Story: BP deploys Microsoft 365 to improve user experience and security

BP recognizes the significance of cybersecurity to their business and the importance of continual digital transformation to remain competitive. To accomplish both simultaneously, they implemented Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5, getting the best of Microsoft tools with an integrated security system that's simple and easy for all employees to use.

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33 Ways to Use Technology In Your Small Business

Small business owners who use technology have an edge. These small business technology ideas will get you started on the path to productivity.

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10 Myths about moving to the cloud: What businesses really need to know about moving to Microsoft Office 365

At Tabarin Consulting, we know that most companies that choose to move to the cloud do so because they have decided they need it for business agility and want the cost savings that come with it. How can you know whether you're making the right move? This e-book will address the inconsistencies you've encountered in your research and bust myths surrounding cloud adoption. Because you need to know the facts in order to make an informed decision.

View: 10 Myths about moving to the cloud: What businesses really need to know about moving to Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Office 2016 product guide

Ever wonder how you can get the most out of Office 365? At Tabarin Consulting, we know you're constantly looking to decrease friction within your organization. In many cases, the technology you already employ may be the answer. With an upgrade to Office 2016, your organization can benefit from a host of new and amazing collaborative features. Read this Office 2016 product guide for tips and tricks that will maximize your collaborative yield. Contact us so we can help you upgrade today.

View: Microsoft Office 2016 product guide

Experience a New Level of Freedom with Office 365

Tabarin Consulting takes a deeper look at how Microsoft Office 365 helps Bryce McDonald, a solo entrepreneur who runs DAY 1 Wake, a wakesurf board making business, scale his home-based business out to the world. Office 365 gives Bryce a new level of freedom that he didn't have previously because the cloud-based app lets him access, edit, and share documents from anywhere on any of his devices.

Top 5 benefits of moving to the cloud now

Cloud computing is now a requirement for many businesses. At Tabarin Consulting, we understand that the changing market means your company will have to transform as well. That's why we bring you solutions to help with that transition. By moving to the cloud, you can increase your security and reduce costs. But those aren't the only reasons why moving to the cloud can transform and enhance your business. There's a reason why 80% of the Fortune 500 companies have made the transition with Microsoft Azure.

View: Top 5 benefits of moving to the cloud now

O365 cost-saving guidance for midsize companies

At Tabarin Consulting, we don't want you to be paying more than you have to for your IT solutions. That's why we offer Office 365 solutions that can save you significant sums of money each year. Starting with an average savings of $11,000 in hardware and software deployment costs annually, the amounts go up considerably from there. With $30,000 in savings for administrative costs and up to $60,000 in savings from vendor displacement across a host of areas, these savings are real.

View: O365 cost-saving guidance for midsize companies

4 Enterprise IoT Scenarios to Jumpstart Your Connected Devices Strategy

As more and more companies migrate to the cloud, and businesses start to evaluate IoT solutions, there are a few scenarios that can help them jumpstart their connected devices strategy. BI, remote monitoring, centralized command, and control to name a few are some scenarios you can use to jumpstart your strategy. At Tabarin Consulting, we have years of experience helping businesses just like yours to adopt, implement, and optimize IoT solutions that can drive transformation. Contact us to learn more.

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SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 end of support is coming

Sadly, all things must come to an end. With end of support coming up for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2, use this document to help you make a smooth transition and learn about the new features arriving with SQL Server 2017 and Azure SQL Database Managed Instance.

View: SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 end of support is coming

Discover threats quickly, remediate immediately, and mitigate the impact of malware and breaches

Technology is not static, and neither, therefore, are the methods cybercriminals can use to gain access to company networks or data. In light of this, an effective security system is one that can learn and react to new threats as they come. Discover the powerful combination of Microsoft tools that provide a comprehensive security strategy for your business.

View: Discover threats quickly, remediate immediately, and mitigate the impact of malware and breaches

Customer story: Shell invests in safety with Azure

Smoking and wrong fueling procedures are just some of the safety concerns for Shell retail locations. In the past, Shell couldn't analyze the hours of video footage that were logged daily. But now, with the help of Azure, they can analyze in real time and make safety adjustments as appropriate. You can access this same tech, and at Tabarin Consulting, we want to help you integrate it. We can help you connect your devices and gain real insight from your data to drive change within your organization. Contact us today to learn more.

The total economic impact of Microsoft Azure SQL Database managed instance

What is the economic impact of switching from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure? Microsoft asked Forrester to find out. Four client interviews later, the results are in: See how you can save by switching to Azure!

View: The total economic impact of Microsoft Azure SQL Database managed instance

Breaches happen. Learn how to protect your organization.

Check out this infographic to learn the three most commonly used inroads into your system and how best to secure your data from each strategy.

View: Breaches happen. Learn how to protect your organization.

Don't Miss Another Post from Tabarin Consulting

IT is revolutionizing the way small businesses get stuff done. Sign up for emails that keep you posted on how IT can help your company grow.

View: Don't Miss Another Post from Tabarin Consulting

Inside Office 365

No Internet connection? No problem! #Office365 lets you access and edit documents from anywhere, anytime--online or offline.

Announcing new options for SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 End of Support

This article outlines the end of support timeline for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2, as well as options and recommendations for current users moving forward.

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The Next Phase Of The Cloud Computing Revolution Is Here

Cloud computing is here to stay. While you may not think your organization is ready for the journey, if ease of access to data, improving your security, and realizing huge savings on your IT budget weren't enough, with Microsoft Azure, you can easily migrate some or all of your data to the cloud depending on your needs. There's no need to migrate everything, giving you the ability to create a phased approach to adopting the cloud. That's Azure empowering you to transform your business.

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7 Game-Changing Collaboration Tools Your Team Needs Now

At Tabarin Consulting, we know that whiteboards, video conferencing, and AI are all drivers of collaboration in the modern workplace. Finding the right solution to provide these capabilities is another story. Luckily there's Office 365. With Skype, users can video conference and whiteboard, and with machine learning and AI woven into almost every aspect of Office 365, users can leverage more compute power than ever before. Contact us to find out how.

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Rise from the depths: Azure cloud services empower organizations to transform

Oceaneering International's vessel can generate up to 10 TBs of data every day. Putting that data into the hands of their customers used to take 7 months. Now with the help of Azure cloud services, they can upload data to the cloud in a matter of days. Azure has transformed Oceaneering International for the better. Imagine the savings that you could realize within your own organization by integrating Azure.

Treating childhood blindness, halfway around the world

At Tabarin Consulting, we know how important productivity and collaboration are to your business. That's why we strive to bring you the best opportunities to integrate cost-saving, collaborative solutions to your organization. Doctors in LA are helping kids all over the world through their collaborative efforts with Skype. Kids are seeing for the first time thanks to this amazing solution; imagine what it could do for your organization. Contact us to find out more.

A breach is inevitable. How can Microsoft help me detect and respond fast?

An all too familiar scenario: A single click in a phishing email and hackers are into a network, resulting in a ransomware request and an uneasy feeling. Learn what tools Microsoft 365 E5 has in its arsenal to ensure this isn't you.

View: A breach is inevitable. How can Microsoft help me detect and respond fast?

The Right Secure Hardware for your IoT Deployment

To truly drive innovation, you need a safe, flexible, and feature-rich platform to expand and grow your IT operations. Finding that platform and incorporating it into your IT system can be challenging. At Tabarin Consulting, we have helped businesses to find, plan, and employ the right IoT devices and solutions to meet their constantly growing needs. Contact us today to find out more on how we can help you bring your business to the edge of modern IoT possibilities.

View: The Right Secure Hardware for your IoT Deployment

How IoT Can Help Your Organization Keep Customers Coming Back for More

Staying in control of your IoT assets is important. That's why you should have the industry-leading data protection features and standards of Azure IoT Central. It acts as a single pane of glass for your enterprise IoT and gives you the connectivity to drive transformation. It's not always easy adopting new solutions; that's why you should consult the experts at Tabarin Consulting. We have years of experience helping firms like yours to optimize their IT operations. Contact us to learn more.

View: How IoT Can Help Your Organization Keep Customers Coming Back for More

Customer Story: SitePro video 2

Watch SitePro combine on-site data and Azure to bring value and efficiency to their customers' site management operations.

Customer Story: Guarding university data with a holistic security model

Watch the University of Arizona, in partnership with Microsoft, tackle the challenges of revamping a new, secure Active Directory system and move both students and staff to Office 365.

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Tech Leaders Look To IoT, AI & Robotics To Fuel Growth Through 2021

21% of tech leaders in the UK, 20% in Japan, and 16% in the US lead all other nations in their plans for IoT to digitally transform their businesses by 2021. How are you ensuring your business is up to date and ready to leverage the new and exciting tech coming down the pipeline? At Tabarin Consulting, we have years of experience helping businesses just like yours to plan and adopt IoT infrastructures and solutions so you can get the most out of technology. Contact us today for more.

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Could Your Business Survive the Next Hurricane Harvey?

Would your business have survived Hurricane Harvey or Irma? Take the time to craft a disaster plan that protects your employees, your data and your company's future.

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Microsoft 365 Business | FAQs

Ever wondered what Microsoft 365 Business is? Or who should adopt it? At Tabarin Consulting, we know that you may have a lot of questions about the solutions we provide you, that's why we've put together this Office 365 Business FAQs guide.

View: Microsoft 365 Business | FAQs

Office 365 Helps One Man Scale His Brand

Tabarin Consulting takes a deeper look at how Microsoft Office 365 helps Bryce McDonald, a solo entrepreneur who runs DAY 1 Wake, a wakesurf board making business, scale his home-based business out to the world. Office 365 helps Bryce get the job done because it is always-up-to-date, letting him work easily and flexibly, whether it be in the office, or while wakesurfing on the lake. Contact us today to find out how we can help you do the same.

Microsoft Azure: Turning tiny insects into big data

Using the Microsoft Azure, epidemiologists can analyze over 100 million pieces of DNA in every sample they collect, identifying where diseases come from and how they spread. With the cloud, researchers can accomplish in hours what used to take months, and when you're dealing with diseases, every second counts. Microsoft Azure is the transformational force working behind the scenes to empower researchers to stop diseases before they spread.

Today's Innovative Businesses: Focusing on What Matters Most - Infographic

This infographic provides testimonials from six businesses about the amazing benefits of Office 365 and how they used it in their organizations. Use the infographic as a starting point to research case studies that you can use to decide if Office 365 is the right solution for your business.

View: Today's Innovative Businesses: Focusing on What Matters Most - Infographic

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Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Volume 23

In this bi-annual publication, learn about the latest security threats affecting us all, including botnets, hacker methods, and ransomware.

View: Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Volume 23

Customer story: Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce uses an Azure IoT suite to identify performance and operational efficiencies. With thousands of sensors in a single engine, it's imperative to have the tools to read and understand them. While the insight derived from Azure might be easy to understand, it's the way your company handles information management that makes the difference. At Tabarin Consulting, we know this can be a challenge. As experts in the field, we've helped businesses like yours. Contact us today to find out more.

Customer Story: SitePro

SitePro gained a competitive advantage by combining onsite sensors and data collection with online data processing and management using Microsoft Azure. As a result, they were able to provide faster and more effective service to their customers, which in turn strengthened the offerings of their customers. It's a win for everyone.

Microsoft identity-driven security

As the security landscape becomes more mobile and complex, traditional security methods are no longer up to the task. Check out this infographic to learn why the holistic approach of Microsoft's Identity-Driven Security was designed to handle the threats of today, and tomorrow.

View: Microsoft identity-driven security

Cloud Security

This infographic provides an overview of security, privacy, and compliance in Azure.

View: Cloud Security

Office 365 Spreads One Man's Love for the Lake to the World

In this video Tabarin Consulting takes a look at how Microsoft Office 365 helps solo entrepreneur Bryce McDonald tap into the power of the cloud to manage the vendor and customer relationships that help him scale his home-based wakesurf board making business, DAY 1 Wake, out to the world - without sacrificing the thing that matters to him most, his family. Contact us today to find out how we can help you do the same.

Why Enterprises That Value Security Trust Microsoft Azure

This blog from BizTech shows how the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform helps businesses become more agile and flexible while still protecting applications and data, providing an overview of the platform's core security features.

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Bionic kids: Office 365 and Limbitless are building mechanical limbs through collaboration

Office 365 is bringing the technology of tomorrow to the creators of today. For any organization, collaboration is the key to success. It's certainly behind the success of The Limbitless Project that makes affordable 3D printed bionic limbs for kids. The Limbitless Project uses Office 365 to bring the necessary people together to make these little miracles happen. How will your organization collaborate with Office 365?

Microsoft 365 Holistic Security

From privileges to passwords, this graphic highlights the strategies available through Microsoft 365 E5 to attain comprehensive security for employees who are always on the go.

View: Microsoft 365 Holistic Security

More tools won't make you more secure

The average #ITsecurity team must configure, integrate, and manage over 70 products from 35 different security vendors. #Microsoft can show you a simpler way: https://aka.ms/TheUnsung. #theUNSUNG

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Vanquish the struggle between mobility and security

You no longer have to choose between productivity and #security. Enable both with #Microsoft365: https://aka.ms/TheUnsung. #theUNSUNG

Customer story: Ecolab

Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services that provide clean water, safe food, abundant energy, and healthy environments. Changing global populations require companies like Ecolab to address the world's water challenge. But using data to preserve the natural resource can be challenging. That's why it's important to have a team of professionals available to help. At Tabarin Consulting, we have the team you need. With years of experience and industry know-how, we can make your data transformation a reality. Contact us to find out more.

The Unsung: Phase 1

After a mysterious login attempt from the other side of the world, The Unsung spring into action to protect Anyco from attack.

Microsoft Practice Development Playbook: Security

With the average cost per security breach in the US at $17 million, you can't afford to let a security breach happen to your business. That's why, at Tabarin Consulting, we strive to educate and provide resources to our customers so that you can maximize the Microsoft security tools that will keep your organization protected. This playbook outlines ways that your enterprise can recognize and capitalize on Microsoft security solutions.

View: Microsoft Practice Development Playbook: Security

Secure your data in the cloud with Azure

Data integrity is everything. That's why #Azure delivers unified security management and advanced threat protection across your customers' hybrid-cloud workloads.

View: Secure your data in the cloud with Azure

How Small Businesses Can Increase Their Digital Capabilities

As an SMB, improving your digital capabilities can be an affordable way to cut costs and reach customers. Few solutions can compete with the simplicity, performance, and cost savings of Microsoft solutions. Modernizing your data platform can be challenging. That's why Tabarin Consulting is here to help. With the right tools and expert know-how, we can help your business integrate and implement these solutions today. Contact us to find out how.

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Customer story: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

With the desire to modernize their court system, Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts (ADGM) implemented tech tools to achieve the only free platform for civil and commercial courts in the world. While your goals for modernizing your data platform might not be as lofty, your business can certainly leverage the same tools. It's time for you to create a digital data platform that will enable your business to scale securely. Tabarin Consulting wants to help. Contact us to find out how we can help you adopt Microsoft solutions.

Microsoft Office: Made for Achieving

Any organization that wants to achieve something that matters can't do it alone. In this video, Microsoft describes how it's reinventing productivity around people. Taking collaboration fueled by intelligence and the flexibility to work with anyone, anywhere to a whole new level. It's a premium connected experience grounded in trust, not a collection of products. That's the core Microsoft Office 365 ambition, helping people focus their energy on purpose rather than process, allowing them to achieve what matters most.

Intelligent security for the modern workplace

Microsoft 365 E5 security covers a broad range of functions that work together to produce an easy-to-implement, effective, and cohesive system that is backed by continuous learning through ever expanding data.

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The Unsung Volume 1: The Gripping Security Story of Microsoft 365

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InsipredMe campaign aims to train, certify 1 million IT scholars in 5 years

http://www.cio.co.ke/news/top-stories/insipredme-campaign-aims-to-train,-certify-1-million-it-scholars-in-5-years by Lilian Mutegi via CIA East Africa

Certiport, provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services worldwide, in partnership with Microsoft, Kenya National Library Services, GEMS Cambridge International School and the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology have launched InspiredMe a campaign aiming to train, qualify and certify more than 1 million young technology scholars in the next 5 years.

A major component of the campaign is the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, which will take place in Dallas Texas, later in the year. The campaign targets youth aged 13 to 22 years old.

Microsoft Corporation, Head Education Business, Sub Saharan Region, Warren La Fleur – commended the move towards upping the IT skills of Kenya’s professionals stating: “It is relevant in that it can help address their goal of ensuring that students are career ready by providing 21st-century technology training and certification; it is innovate and keeps pace with global technology trends; and it is sustainable in that it provides a framework for long-term success to be globally competitive in matters ICT.”

The initiative dubbed InspiredMe is a multi-sectored collaboration between public and private sector actors that has birthed an ambitious, yet phenomenal program which it is expected will propel the lives of millions of young Kenyans towards more specialized fields in technology.

Tabarin Consulting, Managing Director, George Kiptalam – announced that Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development is a member of the Global Digital Literacy Council (GDLC), a group of experts from academia, government, and industry who determine the standard for training and certification in digital literacy. The GDLC is in the process of developing the Global Standard 5 (GS5) for digital literacy that comes into effect from 2016.

GEMS Cambridge International School, Principal, Anthony Millward – Here at GEMS we believe in blended learning styles where a variety of teaching methods and technology are combined to support interactive and engaging learning session between teachers and students. This may be in the form or structure formal ICT lessons or laptops and iPads in class and around school to support an inquiry approach for students. This allows them to become architects of their own learning and explore different mediums of capturing data, analyzing information and presenting their views on what they have learned. What is most exciting is that the evolving digitized world is progressing at such a pace, tomorrow’s dreams are todays reality and are quickly passed into yesterday obsolesce.

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT echoed this when he said ‘the nature of acquiring knowledge is changing and, in this digital age, our definition of basic literacy urgently needs expanding. With an estimated 80 per cent of jobs in Europe for example requiring some level of IT competency, the notion of digital skills – those capabilities that equip an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society – is one that needs to be taken seriously by colleges and universities. Kenyan learning institutions have a responsibility to develop students into individuals who can thrive in an era of digital information and communication – those who are digitally literate are more likely to be economically secure.’

InspiredMe seeks to train scholars through the program’s components, which include; Microsoft IT Academies, Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, IT Boot camps (Held during school holidays at GEMS Cambridge International School), GEMS Cambridge International School will give a Scholarships to top IT performers from disadvantaged backgrounds and Internship opportunities for certified scholars at leading institutions to give youth work experience.

It is apparent that for sustainable development to take place, both the public and private sectors need to complement each other. This consortium will see Certiport being the authenticator of the training that will be dispensed by Microsoft’s IT Academies. The Kenya National Library services will in the first phase make available 27 Library Centers around the country. The KNLS has recently made considerable investment’s to upgrade and equip its libraries with support from Microsoft. The aim is to have these libraries across the entire country, and so ensure every county participates in the programme.

With the first ever Kenyan chapter of Microsoft Office Specialist Championship set for May 29, 2015, aspiring scholars have 3 months to have their academic institutions enroll for a rousing competition season that will also see counties recognize their local champions in Microsoft Word 2010 & 2013, Microsoft Excel 2010 & 2013 or Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 & 2013.

The World Championship in Dallas, Texas will seek to recognize students who demonstrate a mastery of Microsoft Office products. For the first time, Kenya will have an opportunity to field four candidates to face more than 400,000 students from 130 countries across the globe that will participate in the competition.

The partners welcomed more institutions to join their consortium to ensure that the initiative is available to more Kenyan young scholars.

Microsoft & Kenya National Library Service to train 1 Million IT scholars

http://goo.gl/RmOk0N

A new campaign dubbed InspiredMe has been launched to train, qualify and certify more than 1 Million young technology scholars in the next 5 years in a move expected to propel the lives of millions of young Kenyans towards more specialized fields in technology.

#InspiredMe is an initiative of certification exam development, delivery and program management firm Certiport has partnered with Microsoft, Kenya National Library Services, GEMS Cambridge International School and the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology.

#InspiredMe will take scholars through programs such as;

• Microsoft IT Academies – Institutions that will offer the training and testing for certification. KNLS centers will host members of the public whose academic institutions do not have IT the requisite infrastructure.
• Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship; Kenya’s top 4 performers represent Kenya at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Dallas Texas. This is the first year Kenya will participate at the championships.
• IT Boot camps (Held during school holidays at GEMS Cambridge International School)
• GEMS Cambridge International School will give a Scholarships to top IT performers from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Internship opportunities for certified scholars at leading institutions to give youth work experience.

Impact Africa will manage the 5 year programme while Certiport will be the authenticator of the training sourced from Microsoft’s IT Academies. KNLS will in the first phase make available 27 Library Centers around the country.

With the first ever Kenyan chapter of Microsoft Office Specialist Championship set for 29th May, 2015, aspiring scholars have 3 months to have their academic institutions enroll for a rousing competition season that will also see counties recognize their local champions in Microsoft Word 2010 & 2013, Microsoft Excel 2010 & 2013 or Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 & 2013.

The World Championship in Dallas, Texas will seek to recognize students who demonstrate a mastery of Microsoft Office products. For the first time, Kenya will have an opportunity to field four candidates to face more than 400,000 students from 130 countries across the globe that will participate in the competition.

Announcing the 2015 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship

ICT Authority: http://www.icta.go.ke/announcing-2015-microsoft-office-specialist-world-championship/

In its 13th year, the 2014 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship attracted more than 400,000 unique candidates from 130 countries who competed to demonstrate their mastery of Microsoft Office products. 123 student finalists participated in the final round of competition.

Qualify for a chance to represent your country at the World Championships in August 9-12 in Dallas, Texas!

Prove your skills in Microsoft Word, Excel® and PowerPoint® and you could win an invitation to compete in the World Championship finals in Dallas, Texas, USA!

The Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills, have some fun, impress student colleagues and gain recognition.

What is Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship?

The 2015 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship presented by Certiport, Inc. is a global competition that tests students’ skills on Microsoft Office Word, Excel® and PowerPoint. Top students are invited to represent their respective countries at the World Championship. At the World Championship Event, each student competes for World Champion in his or her category (Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Excel® 2010, Microsoft Excel® 2013, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010). In some countries or regions, students are required to participate in a regional test event as well, and the winners of that event continue on to the World Championship.

Who can participate in the Championship?

Anyone may participate in the qualification round of testing, but to participate in the World Championship, candidates must be students that are enrolled in an approved academic institution recognized by the state or country in which it operates. Students must also be between the ages of 13 and 22 (as of June 15, 2015). Students participating in the World Championship must be able to provide proof of age and student status upon request.

How do I participate in the Championship?

Participating competitors may enter the Championship (Qualifying Round) in either of two ways:

1. Register Eligible Exam Immediately Prior to Testing: If the eligible Exam is taken at an ACADEMIC Certiport Authorized Testing Centre, the exam delivery tool will prompt the student to register his/her score into the Championship immediately prior to taking the exam. If the candidate chooses to submit his/her score to the Championship, the results of that exam will be automatically entered into the Championship.
2. Register Eligible Exam(s) Following Testing: Students may also register any eligible Exam(s) after taking the exam(s) by logging onto their Candidate Home Page at www.certiport.com, clicking on the Championship link, and following the registration instructions. Eligible Exams registered using this tool must be registered during the official Championship dates of the country in which the eligible Exam(s) was taken. Eligible Exams taken by students at any COMMERCIAL Certiport Authorized Testing Centre may also be registered using this tool.

What versions of Microsoft Office will the 2014 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship cover?

The 2014 World Championship will include the following six (6) tracks:

• Microsoft Office Specialist Word 2010
• Microsoft Office Specialist Excel® 2010
• Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint® 2010
• Microsoft Office Specialist Word 2013
• Microsoft Office Specialist Excel® 2013
• Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint® 2013

When is the Championship taking place in my country?

The Kenya Microsoft Office Specialist national championships will take place on May 29, 2015.

How are the Word, Excel and PowerPoint Country Champions selected?

Country Champions will be selected in one of two ways by the Certiport competition operator:

1. Top Score Method: Competition Operator reviews the competition results for the country and selects the student with the top score for Word, the student with the top score for Excel® per track and the student with the top score for PowerPoint per track (version 2010 or 2013). These students represent the country at the World Championship Event. Certiport retains the right to review local Competition Operator selections.
2. Country Final Method: Competition Operator reviews the competition results for the country and invites several top students, to compete at a country finals event. The winners of the country finals event (in Word, Excel® and PowerPoint) represent the country at the World Championship Event. Certiport retains the right to review Competition Operator selections.

In the event two participants in the same country have the same high Exam score, the participant who completed the Exam in the least amount of time will be the winner. Decisions of Competition Operators and judges are final.

How are the World Champions in Word, Excel® and PowerPoint selected?

All Regional/Country Champions will be invited to the World Championship Event to compete for the title of the World Champion in Word 2010 or 2013, Excel® 2010 or 2013 and PowerPoint 2010 or 2013. At the World Championship Event, all Regional/Country Champions will be tested in a proctored lab on their respective exams. Generally, students will only be asked to complete their exams one time, however, in rare instances Certiport may require a second round of testing.

All participants in the World Championship will be responsible for preparing themselves to compete in their respective exams. Certiport and/or Certiport’s partners may provide students with preparation materials to help facilitate each student’s training on the software.

How many different types of eligible exams can I submit into the Competition?

During the Qualifying Round, a Student can participate in MULTIPLE Exam tracks. For example, they can submit an Excel 2010 and Excel 2013 Exam. However, if they qualify to participate in a Regional/Country Round or the Final Round in Dallas, Texas, USA, they can only compete in only ONE Exam track.

Where can I take an eligible exam?

Eligible exams can be taken at any Academic Certiport Authorized Testing Centre.

For more details contact:

Mr George Kiptalam

Tabarin Consulting

P.O. Box 38104

00623 Nairobi

Kenya

Cell:   +254 (0) 731 433 904

Email: george.kiptalam@tabarinconsulting.com

10 African startups that rocked 2014

2014 has been another amazing year for startups in Africa.

More and more entrepreneurs turned their attention to building businesses that can solve the continent's problems and provide services it has long awaited.

Enterprises emerged to fix problems in payments, traffic and talent, while more entrepreneurs raised more money from investors than ever before.

Here, in no particular order are 10 of the most exciting young companies of the year.

The list includes the startups I consider to have the most potential, to be the most viable -- not necessarily the most popular or hyped.

Sendy
Where: Kenya

In a nutshell: Uber-style motorbike delivery service.

What's unique: Africa has delivery services and courier services but never before Uber-style so you can track exactly where the deliver rider is via your phone app.

Sending packages is usually expensive and difficult in big, congested African cities like Nairobi and Lagos. Many people use motorbikes to get to work to avoid getting stuck in traffic, so using motorbikes for deliveries is a smart, cheap, local solution.

Future moves: Sendy is in a very strong position because e-commerce is growing and at some point those kinds of sites could integrate with companies like Sendy. It could also potentially be acquired by a foreign company, perhaps Amazon, if they decide to expand to Kenya or South Africa and want to invest in a delivery service that understands the terrain.

Angani
Where: Kenya, East Africa region

In a nutshell: Pay-as-you-go cloud computing

What's unique: This is nothing new internationally, but the cloud computing space in Kenya is nascent. Angani are coming into the market trying to make prices affordable.

What makes it cool is that you pay for what you use. You choose a plan and go.

Future moves: It may be difficult for Angani to scale in a short time, given that all of their competitors in this new and growing market are established players. It remains to be seen whether their tactic of driving competition with low prices will attract enough customers.

Irofit
Where: Nigeria

In a nutshell: Mobile payments without internet

What's unique: Their offering -- mobile payments over mobile networks -- is unique. It's something that hasn't been done before. Making mobile payments over the internet can often be an issue in Africa, so Irofit are leveraging more widespread mobile networks.
Future moves: They launched very recently, and no one has used the app yet. But Irofit raised $600,000 in just six months earlier this year, showing that there are big players who think the startup has real potential.

Wyzetalk
Where: South Africa

In a nutshell: Invite-only social platform for business

What's unique: A business platform for companies to help their employees to more effectively communicate. Staff can use the platform to collaborate on projects, set up meetings, instant message, share files and more.

Future moves: Wyzetalk has been around since 2011, but they have built the company steadily, winning round after round of funding, which shows they must be doing something right. It is currently used by companies from a variety of industries including travel and tourism, tech and food and drink. They have a very solid model and are likely to keep growing.

Gamsole
Where: Nigeria, Global

In a nutshell: Gaming company

What's unique: Celebrated as the biggest success story of any African game developers, this startup has been developing games in the Windows phone market for a couple of years. Gamsole was incubated in the 88mph accelerator and since then their games have seen 9 million downloads globally.

Future moves: Gamsole recently received an innovation grant from Microsoft and are looking for new talent with a recently launched competition for illustrators and designers that offers $4,000 to the winner. They are also yet to launch a global smash hit game.

Snapscan
Where: South Africa

In a nutshell: Make payments via your mobile phone

What's unique: A service, not dissimilar to Apple Pay, which allows people to make payments with their mobile phone by simply taking a photo of a QR code and punching in the amount they want to pay.

Future moves: Less than a year after launch, the system was being used by 12,000 small businesses. There is huge potential for this service: There is an appetite for convenience in payments and there is an opportunity to leverage on Africa being mobile first. They have the potential to expand into other markets and maybe even compete with Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Delivery Science
Where: Nigeria

In a nutshell: Delivering smarter using big data

What's unique: This startup is all about using big data and analytics to help companies in Africa's emerging e-commerce sector manage inventory and deliver more efficiently. Delivery Science offer to completely manage a company's logistics from what's in the warehouse to innovative ideas like verification codes for deliveries to ensure the right person gets a package.

Future moves: The company was started this year by a team who have successfully launched other startups and who are knowledgeable in delivery and logistics. They have the right idea and the knowledge to serve the market in Nigeria.

Paysail
Where: Ghana

In a nutshell: Out-of-the-box payroll management application.

What's unique: Right now, many companies in Ghana still use spreadsheets to organize employee pay. Paysail offers an all-in-one service that comes with Ghanian tax codes programmed in to make company accountants' jobs easier.

Future moves: It's a new idea. It's different. Most of the companies -- like this one -- that are incubated in the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology in Ghana try to reach other markets. Right now, no one is doing anything like this in next-door Nigeria, which means the Paysail application has opportunity to offer an incredible change.

Andela
Where: Nigeria, pan-Africa

In a nutshell: Training graduates as developers, matching them with employers

What's unique: Andela is focused on helping employers from all over the world find talent from Africa. They take it a step further by identifying raw talent and paying them to learn to become developers, then matching them with global employers looking for talent. The company currently has a local office in Nigeria and a company in the United States.

Future moves: This company's approach is very smart. In Africa there is a desperate need for talent -- we don't have enough developers, let alone quality developers, because universities don't qualify graduates in technologies for the future. There is also a huge market globally, so this company has a massive opportunity.

BRCK
Where: Kenya, all of Africa.

In a nutshell: A self-powered, mobile WiFi device.

What's unique: BRCK is a blackbox described by its makers as "a backup generator for the internet," with the aim of solving Africa's connectivity issues. In Africa, there are power outages on a daily basis so getting online and staying online anywhere and anytime in these parts as well as other parts of the world requires a device that can seamlessly switch between multiple networks to provide access, even in remote areas. That's where BRCK comes in.

Future moves: This product is quite ingenious. The potential impact and scale of this company is the reason it closed a $1.2 million seed funding round, after initially raising $172,000 in a Kickstarter campaign last year. BRCK has the potential to provide internet connectivity to rural areas across the world, where Internet access can be unstable.

By Loy Okezie, Special to CNN