We are a Microsoft Academic Education Partner (AEP) selling Microsoft Academic licences to accredited academic institutions that qualify as Qualified Educational Users, and a Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) managing the entire Microsoft cloud customer lifecycle, including digital transformation.
Tuesday, September 01, 2020
10 reasons to use Azure SQL in your next project
There are many new features that developers don't know exist with Microsoft Azure SQL. Learn why Azure SQL is a post-relational, cloud-native database with these ten simple points, including complete storage control, complete monitorability, and full insights.
FINNING | Value of Partners in Azure Cloud Application Building
Team synergy is critical to ensuring the success of a project. But this isn't just a matter of putting people together in a project and expecting results. An active effort must be made to ensure everybody is well aware of their role, scope, and how to collaborate so that all teams can create a methodology that pushes the project forward on time and within budget.
In this video, you'll learn how Finning, the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, has created a culture of collaboration with their digital transformation partner to drive successful IoT initiatives, and how they made it all possible by using Azure IoT.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The Importance of Marrying IoT to Consumer Products for Ease of Life
The number of connected IoT devices in 2017 was 27 billion, and by 2030 it's expected to grow to 125 billion. This means that the functionality and use scenarios for the IoT will continuously expand and permeate across all areas of consumer products, therefore improving the lifestyles and health of users worldwide.
But exactly how are IoT devices being used in the consumer product space to increase customer satisfaction and make businesses more efficient? Read this article to gain an accurate perspective into the reach that the IoT will have in the consumer product space and how businesses will leverage IoT devices to drive innovation across the industry.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Law firm runs better with server on Azure
Why run Windows Server on Azure? Ellen Kirby, senior manager of Technical Operations and senior enterprise architect at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, talks about the benefits of running the law firm's Windows Servers on Azure and about leveraging Windows Admin Center for better management and automation.
Law firm runs better with server on Azure
Why run Windows Server on Azure? Ellen Kirby, senior manager of Technical Operations and senior enterprise architect at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, talks about the benefits of running the law firm's Windows Servers on Azure and about leveraging Windows Admin Center for better management and automation.
Law firm runs better with server on Azure
Why run Windows Server on Azure? Ellen Kirby, senior manager of Technical Operations and senior enterprise architect at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, talks about the benefits of running the law firm's Windows Servers on Azure and about leveraging Windows Admin Center for better management and automation.
The 7 properties of highly secure devices
Every day, new IoT devices are powering up around the world. Each one represents a source of insights into customer behavior and provides the data required to create and monitor impactful strategies. On the flip side, all of them also represent a possible entry point for malicious software and cybercriminals to steal sensitive business information and permanently damage an organization's reputation.
To counter this threat, enterprise security has gotten increasingly elaborate and effective at creating multiple security systems depending on the property of each device and its relationship with the customer.
In this infographic, you'll learn about the 7 properties that help modern IoT devices stay safe from cyber attacks and keep hackers at bay.
The 7 properties of highly secure devices
Every day, new IoT devices are powering up around the world. Each one represents a source of insights into customer behavior and provides the data required to create and monitor impactful strategies. On the flip side, all of them also represent a possible entry point for malicious software and cybercriminals to steal sensitive business information and permanently damage an organization's reputation.
To counter this threat, enterprise security has gotten increasingly elaborate and effective at creating multiple security systems depending on the property of each device and its relationship with the customer.
In this infographic, you'll learn about the 7 properties that help modern IoT devices stay safe from cyber attacks and keep hackers at bay.
The 7 properties of highly secure devices
Every day, new IoT devices are powering up around the world. Each one represents a source of insights into customer behavior and provides the data required to create and monitor impactful strategies. On the flip side, all of them also represent a possible entry point for malicious software and cybercriminals to steal sensitive business information and permanently damage an organization's reputation.
To counter this threat, enterprise security has gotten increasingly elaborate and effective at creating multiple security systems depending on the property of each device and its relationship with the customer.
In this infographic, you'll learn about the 7 properties that help modern IoT devices stay safe from cyber attacks and keep hackers at bay.
Mercy Housing keeps residents safe at home using Microsoft Teams
When the pandemic ushered in a new reality of social distancing, Mercy Housing was able to continue supporting the residents and communities it serves while keeping everyone safe using Microsoft Teams. This customer story video outlines when COVID-19 created a tremendous need for a tool that can maintain personal connection, Teams has allowed the company to maintain reaching residents and serving its communities, growing the business while working remotely, all while supporting highly secure environments for remote work.
Mercy Housing keeps residents safe at home using Microsoft Teams
When the pandemic ushered in a new reality of social distancing, Mercy Housing was able to continue supporting the residents and communities it serves while keeping everyone safe using Microsoft Teams. This customer story video outlines when COVID-19 created a tremendous need for a tool that can maintain personal connection, Teams has allowed the company to maintain reaching residents and serving its communities, growing the business while working remotely, all while supporting highly secure environments for remote work.
Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
This whitepaper highlights why Azure makes sense for applications that rely on SQL Server or Windows Server, based on four themes: security, innovation, hybridity, and cost.
View: Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
This whitepaper highlights why Azure makes sense for applications that rely on SQL Server or Windows Server, based on four themes: security, innovation, hybridity, and cost.
View: Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
This whitepaper highlights why Azure makes sense for applications that rely on SQL Server or Windows Server, based on four themes: security, innovation, hybridity, and cost.
View: Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure
Saving time with Microsoft Teams
This infographic displays stats on how Microsoft Teams reduces the total number of meetings as well as their duration from improved collaboration and information sharing.
Saving time with Microsoft Teams
This infographic displays stats on how Microsoft Teams reduces the total number of meetings as well as their duration from improved collaboration and information sharing.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Social Asset C: Empower security teams to coordinate
Stay connected to empower your team. Learn more about unifying your workplace collaboration with Microsoft Teams! Subscribe now!
Now is the time for Microsoft Teams
This infographic outlines how you can stay in touch with the hub for
teamwork in Office 365. With Microsoft Teams you can connect, collaborate, and come together securely by meeting with your peers and getting work done anywhere - even remotely.
FINNING | Providing Measurable customer value increased operational efficiancy and consistent growth with IoT
Many companies would view competing in industries where labor-intensive tasks, disconnected data sources, and paper-based processes are the norm as a hard challenge. Others, like Finning—the world's largest Caterpillar dealer—saw this as an opportunity to disrupt and innovate within the construction industry through digital transformation.
Watch this video to learn how Finning collaborated with a Microsoft Gold Partner to enable the unification of disparate data sources using IoT devices, and how this strategy allowed the company to substantially upgrade its customer service experience.
Create instant remote work meetings with Microsoft Teams
Stay connected with Microsoft Teams while working from home with the help of the "Meet now" feature. In this video, you'll learn how to use "Meet now," which gives you the ability to turn a team chat conversation into an instant remote meeting.
Systems Imagination uses SQL Server 2019 Big Data Clusters to deliver cutting-edge medical insights
Systems Imagination uses big data to discover new tiers of medical insights unobtainable through conventional means. In order to gain the distributed computing power it needed, the company adopted Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Big Data Clusters. Now, it delivers results based on petabytes of data to its customers within hours while simultaneously keeping operating costs low.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
eBook: The ultimate guide to Windows Server 2019
Take full advantage of your on-premises investments with Windows Server 2019. Learn how to extend your on-premises environments to the cloud with the Windows Server 2019 advanced hybrid capabilities. Additionally, learn how to add additional security layers and update your applications and infrastructure when you connect to the cloud.
8 Ways IoT Devices Can Improve Your Business Office
By now, you're very aware of the hugely successful IoT implementations some companies have released into the market. Wearables, smartphones, smart cars, and even smart traffic lights have made headlines across the world. But what about the stuff that doesn't make headlines? Some IoT applications—such as those we use around the office—may not be as exciting as others, but that doesn't mean they aren't as useful or interesting.
In this article, you'll learn about IoT applications that are revolutionizing the workplace and how each of them can add value to products and services we didn't even know could be automated. From coffee machines to smart office heat mapping, these are 8 ways your office could be getting smarter in the near future.
What is Teams?
This video shows how you can pull together a team with Microsoft Teams on your PC, Mac, or mobile device. Use chat instead of email, securely edit files at the same time, see your likes, mentions, and replies with just a single tap, and have the freedom to customize it all by adding notes, websites, and apps.
Create a connected business powered by Microsoft
Imagine you've worked hard to plan and strategize your IoT roadmap. You've finally established what devices you want to connect and how you're going to use that data to drive growth for your business. You've also convinced the board and other stakeholders about your strategy and have gotten the green light to begin ASAP. So you're all set, right? Well, not exactly. What's missing is one of the most challenging and crucial steps for most companies—one that can completely make or break your entire initiative: choosing the correct platform on which to execute your IoT program.
Ideally, you want a platform that allows devices to connect seamlessly —of course—but you also need flexibility, scalability, security, and the ability to transform data into dashboards to obtain insights.
In this infographic, you'll learn how Microsoft IoT Central meets all of these requirements while delivering an intuitive and highly customizable UI that can and will adapt to your business, not the other way around.
Solution overview video
Learn about the features and benefits of migrating to Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure. This video discusses key aspects such as preventing the loss of valuable data and getting the lowest cost of ownership.
Wednesday, August 05, 2020
Social Asset BYL B: Unify workplace collaboration
Subscribe now and unify your workplace collaboration with @Microsoft Teams.
Tuesday, August 04, 2020
Leading the IoT: Gartner insights on how to lead in a connected world
The IoT is changing today's organizations into digital businesses. It's also creating innovative business models, boosting efficiency, and fostering engagement in both employees and customers. Change is not always smooth, however. Sometimes the only way to adapt and stay relevant is by radically reinventing the way things have been done in the past, which can be a painful process for some companies.
There are other barriers to entry for IoT as well: most enterprises don't know where to start implementing the technology; moreover, if strategies do exist, there's almost always a conflict regarding who owns them. During these discussions, it's the job of the CIO to fill the resulting IoT leadership void.
This book provides CIOs and IT leaders with a solid foundation for starting business conversations, developing initiatives, and creating successful IoT strategies with a quick time-to-market. Subscribe now to download your copy.
View: Leading the IoT: Gartner insights on how to lead in a connected world
Innovate Infographic
Moving Windows Server and SQL workloads to Azure provides flexible, scalable, and highly available cloud infrastructure. It also supports rapid innovation and digital transformation, freeing you to innovate. This infographic presents the benefits of running Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure.
Imperial College London uses Teams to teach and connect in a time of COVID
A world top ten university, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research, Imperial College London now uses Microsoft Teams to teach and connect in a time of COVID-19. In this video, see how the college is now relying on Teams for the delivery of its lectures and its remote labs, as well as a "virtual common room" where students and faculty can interact. Staff now have the fluid integration of shared files, scheduled events, and the students' use of the virtual learning environment, providing opportunities to respond to students in a way never done before.
FINNING | Challenges and Opportunities with IoT Apps on Azure Cloud
Every role within an organization needs specific tools and data to do their job as best they can. This task is more complex than it sounds, though. Without the required scalability and customization options, even small businesses can struggle when obtaining relevant information, let alone large, multinational corporations.
If done right, however, the payoff is well worth it. Companies gain access to previously untapped data sources and the ability to filter such data according to each person's role within the organization. When combined with the right integrated productivity tools and digital collaboration software, this allows for unparalleled levels of adaptability, efficiency, and risk management.
In this video, you'll learn how Finning has utilized IoT to connect its entire organization, enabling each person to view relevant data depending on their role within the company.
Itaú Unibanco boosts service availability and data processing with SQL Server 2019
As a banking leader in Latin America and one of the largest banks in the world, Itaú Unibanco handles thousands of transactions every second. Operating on an aging data infrastructure, the bank found it difficult to expand its digital services without breaking SLAs or putting its guarantee of continuous service availability at risk. Since it migrated database services to Microsoft SQL Server 2019 based on Intel datacenter technologies, Itaú Unibanco can confidently scale data collection and infrastructure maintenance while it delivers the high level of service its private and commercial banking customers rely on.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Incredible Real-World Applications Prove the IoT Is Here to Stay
As author Peter Daisyme accurately puts it, "While many people debate whether little computers in wrist devices, clothing, refrigerators and vehicles will truly change our lives, actionable change is already occurring on the business application side of the IoT." Regardless of which side of the argument you're on, the impact the IoT is having in our societies at a macro level is undeniable.
While you're reading this, devices that measure and predict air pollution, vehicle traffic levels, machine failure rates, fire warnings, and crime rates are being employed to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. And as cities and businesses become more interconnected by the hour, we'll find more and more useful ways in which the IoT can help us better utilize our resources and lift the burden we put on our environment.
In this article, you'll gain deeper insights into how IoT devices are being used by companies and governments alike to obtain accurate data across many potentially life-saving use cases. You'll also learn about what the future holds in store for us as cities powered by artificial intelligence become near-sentient beings capable of reacting in real time to the habits and living conditions of their inhabitants.
The 3 phases of an effective IoT strategy
IoT is quickly becoming the most important business revolution of the digital age, with its implications being felt across all industries worldwide. However, unlocking the true potential of IoT requires not only a clear roadmap with specific objectives, but also a solid front-end and back-end infrastructure that's capable of making sense of the data obtained. It's for this reason that both public and private organizations sometimes struggle when implementing a successful IoT strategy and fail to reach the desired return-on-investment (ROI).
To address the risks you may encounter with IoT, we've created this short, insightful infographic. After reading it, you'll have a better idea of the tools and actions you should be executing during each of the three stages of IoT implementation to overcome challenges and maximize effectiveness. You'll also obtain a straightforward checklist that your teams can refer to when establishing or optimizing their strategies.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Replace labor redundancy and manual tasks with digital efficiency. Subscribe now to learn more.
Digital technology has forever changed the dynamics between customers and companies. Companies must continually reinvent their business by going one step ahead of ever-evolving digital trends or risk becoming silent observers while their industry is led by other businesses more adept at digital transformation.
Subscribe now to learn how your business can leave behind inefficient processes, duplicate tasks, and a reliance on physical workplace tools to become an active player in today's digital game.
The value of moving to Azure
Considering modernizing and moving your business to the cloud? You're not alone. You're also not the one thinking about security and compliance.
Microsoft Azure has advanced security features and more compliance certifications than any other public cloud provider. Full back up and recovery to the cloud and built-in security features across on-premises and cloud deployments. Single sign on (SSO) for each employee, extending local user identities and permissions to the cloud.
For the best in security and compliance, Microsoft Azure sits alone.
The value of moving to Azure
Considering modernizing and moving your business to the cloud? You're not alone. You're also not the one thinking about security and compliance.
Microsoft Azure has advanced security features and more compliance certifications than any other public cloud provider. Full back up and recovery to the cloud and built-in security features across on-premises and cloud deployments. Single sign on (SSO) for each employee, extending local user identities and permissions to the cloud.
For the best in security and compliance, Microsoft Azure sits alone.
Why Microsoft Services for Modernization
Ready to move your applications to a modern cloud?
The Modernization Solution from Microsoft Services provides a thorough approach to move applications, data and infrastructure to an enterprise-ready cloud.
While migration requires commitment, Microsoft Services provides unparalleled guidance and support during the entire process.
FINNING | Digital Transformation on the Azure Cloud
In 2015, Finning decided to upgrade its customer experience strategy. The goal: to double down on interconnectivity and integration by using IoT devices to obtain data from all available touchpoints.
Watch this video to learn how Finning managed to overcome two of the construction industry's main challenges—disconnected data and paper-based processes—and reap the benefits of digital transformation with Azure IoT.
Customer Story: SitePro Part 2
SitePro is a software company with a mission to enable the digital oil field. In this video, discover how Microsoft Azure helps SitePro harness the power of data to drive transformation for its oil and gas company customers.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
How Entrepreneurs Are Connecting the World With IoT
As we enter a new decade, the number of IoT-connected devices is predicted to grow 3x from 2019 to 2020, totaling 21 billion devices. As competition increases, so does innovation, and companies across the world are coming up with new uses and applications for the ever-increasing number of devices that are turned on each day.
In this Entrepreneur.com article, you'll learn how companies and startups are finding new market niches to exploit the near unlimited potential of IoT technology, and how they're causing disruptive waves that ripple across different trades to nurture a near trillion-dollar industry.
Finding the right IoT solution for your business
It's no secret that IoT is revolutionizing business around the world. However, investing in IoT is not as simple as investing money in new platforms or applications. The real challenge lies in finding a model that works for your business and adjusts to your organization's focus and competitive advantage. In other words, it's the opposite of a one-size-fits-all approach, and making the wrong choice can have profound consequences that can take years to overcome.
In this infographic, we'll cover the distinctions between Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service models, as well as explain the main variables that can determine where your business stands when choosing one of these models.
Tuesday, July 07, 2020
Stay connected with Microsoft Azure IoT. Subscribe now.
IoT is easy to understand: it's about connecting devices over the Internet so they can communicate with us, with other applications, and with each other. But while IoT may be simple to explain, putting an effective IoT strategy into practice is vastly more complex.
Subscribe now to stay up to date on how Microsoft technologies deliver the flexibility and scalability you need to control, monitor, and manage your things, allowing you to capture real-time data that can be applied to uncover new business insights and revenue streams.
View: Stay connected with Microsoft Azure IoT. Subscribe now.
What's The Future Of Your Technology Capabilities?
Though the coronavirus situation forced a remote work model for many businesses, some have realized that it might be more ideal than returning to the traditional go-to-work model. Why? Cloud technology.
In his article, "What's the Future of Your Technology Capabilities?" Gilles Muys writes that the cloud has proven it's here to stay, due to withstanding various vulnerabilities. He adds that another reason the cloud is long-term is "its ability to stand alone from being infrastructure-dependent makes it cost-effective." He points out that now is the time to transition to cost-saving technology because all signs point to increase cloud use and associated benefits.
Have questions about Azure cloud migration? Contact us—we'd like to help.
FINNING | Customer Value of Self-Service IoT Apps on the Azure Cloud
Finning, the second largest supplier of Caterpillar machinery in the world, was intent on delivering next-generation, experience-enhancing services to its clients. However, there was something standing in the way: siloed databases that were forcing users to use multiple logins for multiple platforms, resulting in a disjointed and ultimately convoluted practice. Watch this video to learn how Finning used Microsoft Azure Cloud to unify fragmented data sets and streamline its customer journey roadmap.
Azure Migration Program Customer
The buzz is constant: What are the pros and cons of migrating my business to the cloud? What will it cost? How do I join the Azure Migration Program (AMP)?
It's a big jump to get to the cloud, but once you take it we are confident you will not regret it. We offer step-by-step guidance, including foundational and role-specific courses to help ensure your migration readiness.
Have a look at this informational one-pager that shows how you will benefit from the AMP and answers many of your questions. There's even a "Next steps" link when you're ready for it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Don't miss another post! Subscribe now.
Businesses are amassing enormous amounts of data, more than they know what to do with. Most are just using it to put together dense periodic reports explaining "what" happened too long after the fact to be of much use. Modernizing your digital workplace by moving to Azure and utilizing its AI technology can help you get a handle on your data and graduate from "what" happened to "how" it happened and, finally, to what "will" happen to inform what you should do all within a relevant period of time.
FINNING digitally transforms its operations with IoT apps on Azure cloud
FINNING, the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, started its digital transformation journey with customers in mind, but soon realized that its own operations were seeing just as many benefits as its clients. Not willing to turn down an opportunity to improve, FINNING quickly learned that the data obtained from customer-facing solutions enabled it to gain insights into internal processes and become even more efficient. Watch this video to learn how Azure IoT can have game-changing solutions that push forward internal process optimization and enhance customer satisfaction.
SitePro Part 1
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.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Shift your business into overdrive. Subscribe today.
More than ever before, organizations are augmenting human skills, ingenuity, and business acumen with data analytics, productivity, and enterprise solutions to gain a competitive edge. Subscribe today to stay informed on how solutions like Dynamics 365, Power BI, and other Microsoft services and solutions are enabling modern businesses to take the lead over competitors and finish first in the marketplace.
Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud Revenue to Grow 17% in 2020
According to Gartner, Inc., the world's leading research and advisory company, the worldwide public cloud services is forecast to grow 17% in 2020. This is significant projected growth and a good indicator that the cloud is reliable, trustworthy—and necessary.
Have a look at this report, which also forecasts infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to grow 24%--the highest growth rate across all market segments. The report attributes the growth to "the demands of modern applications and workloads, which require infrastructure that traditional data centers cannot meet."
Read the press release and summarized findings here.
Finishing first with Renault Sports Formula One and Dynamics 365
To monitor every aspect of performance, a Renault Sports Formula One race car is outfitted with over 200 sensors that generate more than 35 billion data points over a typical race weekend. Since two or more sensors can be matched to form around 20,000 different virtual channels, cars relay an enormous volume of data back to the Renault Sports team during races and tests. By pairing Azure-based Dynamics 365 for Operations with Microsoft Power BI, the Renault Sports team can bring up and track this data in real time, enabling them to make exact modifications and adjustments at lightning speed to squeeze more performance out of the car. Watch this short video to see how the Renault Sports Formula One team capitalizes on the features of Dynamics 365 for Operations and Microsoft Azure to make its cars faster than ever and reach the finish line first.
Learn how to modernize your apps and data on Azure
Break down the cloud journey with four stages of the process—starting with a pre-migration assessment and then looking at migration, post-migration, and optimization. Microsoft Azure has you covered with tools created specifically for you.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Breakthrough teamwork tools: 4 tips to identify what works for you
This eBook is for customers who are ready to achieve even more with their successful teams. Collaboration and easy communication are increasingly important—especially as more people are working from home. In this eBook, you can take a deep dive and read how to use teamwork tools like Microsoft Teams to empower your employees to do even more. Chapters cover communicating without effort, being more productive through better integration, customizing features, and working with confidence.
View: Breakthrough teamwork tools: 4 tips to identify what works for you
Why Migrate with Azure?
With Microsoft Azure Migration Program (AMP), customers receive prescriptive guidance for a step-by-step approach for a path to the cloud from start to finish.
The program delivers technical skill building to ensure your organization can successfully adopt Azure; best practices for a step-to-step approach from start to finish; Azure engineering support for data and infrastructure foundations; expert guidance from specialized migration partners; free Azure tools to help you efficiently execute migrations; and cost effective offers to help you save money before, during, and after migration. All of this, available to all Azure customers, scaled through specialized migration partners.
Contact us for more information or assistance in migrating.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Making choices with data and AI
How do we, as human beings, make decisions? While most people would like to believe that they take a rational, calculated approach by considering all the variables, research shows that we go with our "gut feeling" instead about 95 percent of the time. In his Forbes article entitled "Making Choices With Data And AI," author Mark Robinson discusses the proper role of AI in human decision making. AI shouldn't be making decisions for us, he contends, but rather, guide us by interpreting the data at hand and presenting the facts and variables surrounding a given choice—effectively balancing out our "gut feeling" with rational objectivity. Read the full article to learn how AI-assisted decision making can help guide your business toward greater growth and success by mitigating human bias in choice.
Empowering remote work with Microsoft Teams
In this infographic, discover suggestions to empower remote employees as they use Teams to embrace online communication, stay focused, share content, and stay connected.
7 ways AI can help improve decision making for marketers
No longer just science fiction, AI has the potential to radically change just about every aspect of modern life, especially business. From automating simple tasks to more complex feats like uncovering insights from massive volumes of unstructured data, AI is fast emerging as one of the centerpieces of digital transformation, not least of all for its ability to assist with critical business decisions. View the infographic to discover seven ways how AI can help drive better decisions for marketers, and for businesses in general.
View: 7 ways AI can help improve decision making for marketers
5 Ways to Be More Efficient While Working From Home
This article from Entrepreneur, highlights five ways remote workers can be more efficient at home. Tips to optimize time away from the office include establishing a routine, determining priorities, eliminating distractions, and more.
Lizo | Digital transformation in the oil & gas industry: seamless scaling and automatic updating
Our final video in the Lizo series shows how a business can push the boundaries of what's possible for a data-driven company. To do this, they needed to be as agile and informed as possible. See how companies can move to Azure to enjoy the freedom and possibilities of the cloud.
Tuesday, June 09, 2020
Subscribe today. Be future-ready tomorrow.
If you're like most organizations, you've probably already invested in data technologies for the express purpose of uncovering actionable insights from your business data. But have you given any thought as to how these technologies can complement one another over time to create a truly agile and responsive data solution--one that not only provides insights today, but can accommodate changing business needs and conditions tomorrow? Subscribe now to learn how Microsoft Power Platform--comprising Power BI, Power Apps, and Microsoft Flow--can help you build the foundation for an end-to-end data analytics solution that's got you covered in the present and the future.
Bringing Apps and Start-ups Together
More frequently than ever, consumers are utilizing apps for news, food, information, social networking and more. Of course, the cloud forms the core of the app economy and small to medium businesses need service providers that support their financial needs and requirements.
In his article, "Bringing Apps and Start-ups Together," Prabhakar Jayakumar writes that 90% of all data used over the last two years was created using an optimized data management tool. For digitization to progress, modern app development requires efficient data management and processing. The app must engage users and generate content, "and then process the data generated to garner insights, which can enhance the performance of the app or brand," writes Jayakumar. He adds that this is where cloud service providers can be of great help, in setting up databases to be quick and fail-proof.
In short, Jayakumar sees service providers can help SMBs deploy applications quickly and cost-effectively: "Less coding, limitless scalability, exceedingly fast deployments, and fool-proof security are the pillars of tomorrow's app economy, powered by the cloud."
Read Jayakumar's entire article and contact us for cloud migration support.
Airport security officer-turned-developer helps Heathrow book a faster journey to digital transformation
At Heathrow Airport, an airplane takes off every 45 seconds and nearly 80 million passengers are served annually, making it the busiest airport in Europe. As you might imagine, daily activities involved in running the airport--such as baggage handling, security, maintenance, and the like--add up to a staggering volume of paperwork that requires an equally staggering number of hours to complete. Amidst the bustle, one security officer identified a way that Heathrow could save both time and resources by digitizing certain security processes. He researched several Microsoft Power Platform blogs, taught himself how to code, and used Power BI, Power Apps, and Microsoft Flow to create a suite of apps that has not only saved 288 hours in data entry and eliminated 11,000 sheets of paper for security operations, but has also helped Heathrow Airport leap forward on its digital transformation journey. Watch the video to see how airport security officer Samit Saini helped transform Heathrow--and his own career--using Microsoft Power Platform.
Run effective meetings with Microsoft Teams
This video is a virtual class on running meetings with Microsoft Teams, led by a Microsoft training specialist. In this class, you'll learn how to schedule and manage Teams meetings end-to-end. You'll see how to access meetings and content easily and assess which devices will work best. The video also covers how to use Teams before, during, and after your meeting to create the best experience for your remote team.
Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
Check out the ways in which Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is designed to provide you with exactly what your business needs so you can save money without missing a beat.
View: Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
Wednesday, June 03, 2020
Get started with Microsoft Teams quick start
This quick start guide is full of information to help you make the most of Microsoft Teams. With this tool, your employees have a shared workspace for conversations, files, and meetings. Everyone can be more engaged and effective, even when working remotely. Review this guide to access actionable tips for better connection, collaboration, and productivity.
Unblocking Teamwork: four tools and strategies to improve collaboration
This Microsoft eBook goes into detail about key tools and strategies to help customers overcome blockers and improve collaboration using Microsoft Teams. These tips can easily be adapted and applied to remote work. Suggestions include streamlining tools and apps, making virtual meetings more efficient, and improving version control.
View: Unblocking Teamwork: four tools and strategies to improve collaboration
Tuesday, June 02, 2020
Digital transformation isn't what you think it is--so what is it?
When the same phrase is used so frequently and over an extended period of time, two things typically happen: first, it officially achieves buzzword status; and second, it begins to lose its meaning. Among the tech industry's pool of du jour buzzwords, perhaps none is more prominent and overhyped--if not misunderstood--than "digital transformation." In his insightful Forbes article entitled "Digital Transformation Is Not What You Think It Is," author Jamie Notter argues that it is culture, and not digital, that today's organizations should focus on when it comes to digitally transforming themselves. In other words, identify what cultural changes will help make your business successful, then adopt technology to support and advance those goals. Check out the full article to get Mr. Notter's unique take on what "digital transformation" really means for your business--and more important, what it really entails.
Introducing Microsoft Teams: empowering remote work
This flyer highlights some of the key features in Microsoft Teams that allow customers to stay connected, collaborate, and increase productivity—all in one place. The flyer also offers ideas on how customers can use Teams to make remote work more efficient and even fun.
Lizo | Digital transformation in the oil & gas industry: improving on-site safety
Safety is a priority for companies, especially those working in industries where a few seconds can mean a significant deficit for thousands of customers.
This time we show how companies such as Lizo partner their apps with Microsoft Azure for instant status updates of facilities and equipment that are vital for site operators to maintain safety around the globe. Their customers funnel real-time data from multiple sources into a single platform. Their facility oversight is improved, their operations are more efficient, and the workplace safety is right where it should be—at the top.
Watch this video to see how other data-driven companies could partner with Microsoft Azure to offer cloud-based software solutions to customers who need real-time response.
Prioritize culture during digital transformation
For many organizations, digital transformation means integrating digital into every facet of the business, making digital the focus of every activity and process. But is that really the right approach? For a growing number of businesses, digital is increasingly being viewed as an enabler of broader business objectives rather than the end state or goal. In other words, many businesses are identifying what cultural changes need to take place to bring about success, and then adopting digital technologies to achieve that success. Like digital transformation itself, this shift in mindset is a journey--starting with recognizing the obstacles to digital transformation, the key attributes of a true digital culture, and how to overcome the former to become the latter. View the infographic to see what the journey's all about.
9 ways to make working from home more joyful - The Aesthetics of Joy
This article offers nine ways to create a workspace and routine to make working from home a more joyful, sustainable experience. Suggestions range from self-care to workspace set up to breaks. Read the article for all the ideas.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Don't just see your data--visualize it with Power BI. Subscribe now and never overlook a post.
Anyone can see their data--very few can make sense of it. But with Microsoft Power BI, you'll be able to not only visualize your data, but also extract insights from it to help modernize and streamline your business. Power BI, alongside Microsoft Azure and other Microsoft tools, offers an unbeatable solution for performing real-time analytics, visualizing the results, and leveraging insights to improve business processes, increase productivity, and ultimately gain a competitive edge. Subscribe now to learn how Power BI can help you see your business in a whole new way.
View: Don't just see your data--visualize it with Power BI. Subscribe now and never overlook a post.
The Network in 2020: Faster, Closer, Smarter
It's no secret that more people, more than ever, are more digitally connected. The underlying network needed to support this connectivity must be faster, closer, and smarter, according to Forbes contributor Steve Alexander.
"On-demand content, bandwidth-hungry mobile apps, IoT devices, and new cloud-based applications are driving the need for more bandwidth and network capacity," Alexander writes. He reminds us that "fast ethernet" used to be the descriptive phrase for the network edge, and that over time we have quickly increased connectivity times—because users' needs demand it. This is no exception. "Since its inception, the internet has a been a catalyst for service providers to facilitate faster connectivity, an imperative that will increase over time," states Alexander.
Read the entire article, "The Network in 2020: Faster, Closer, Smarter" for valuable insight on why network requirements will continue to align with the need for cloud services.
Data analyst and "oldest nerd in Guatemala" with ALS types with his eyes to modernize his clients' businesses
Can you teach an old nerd new tricks? For Otto Knoke, the self-proclaimed "oldest nerd in Guatemala" who has suffered from ALS for 20 years, the answer is a resounding yes. An admitted (and proud) workaholic, the 60-year-old data analyst is a well known fixture of the Guatemalan business community, having helped modernize the banking industry by introducing ATMs into the country 20 years ago. Sadly, right around that same time, Knoke was diagnosed with ALS (better known as Lou Gehrig's disease), and was told he only had two years to live. But rather than give in to the disease, Knoke relentlessly researched ways in which technology could help him overcome his condition and thrive--a determination and drive which has paid off. Today, some two decades later, Knoke has become the first person in Guatemala to use Microsoft's new eye-tracking software for Windows 10, called Eye Control, enabling him to literally type with his eyes and use Microsoft Power BI to analyze his clients' business data. For Knoke, who has always been a tech early adopter, this revolutionary Microsoft technology has not only helped his business continue to boom, but more important, it's enabled him to communicate more meaningfully with his loved ones and strengthen those relationships. Watch this truly fascinating and inspiring video to learn Otto Knoke's full story.
J. Walter Thompson breaks new ground with Microsoft collaboration tools
This video shows how a global leader in marketing communications uses Microsoft Teams to increase collaboration across their entire organization. Teams helps them create a global, modern workplace so the company can innovate at the speed of culture. With this tool, they can stay connected and easily collaborate across different geographies.
MS Azure IaaS TEI Infographic
Curious about the ROI of Microsoft Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)? Have a look at this infographic that shows Forrester's conclusions after six customer interviews and data aggregation for a five-year financial impact.
Businesses experienced reduced data center and outsourcing costs, website scale and performance improvements, ease of experimentation through virtualized environments, and developer and testers enhancements.
Want to learn more about the potential ROI that could be realized by shifting some or all of your management and operations to Azure? Contact us today.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Conduct PLC meetings in Teams
We know that connection with colleagues is vital, especially during this time of increased isolation. Many educators are eager for more time brainstorming, sharing ideas, and fueling their passions through their work in Professional Learning Communities. In this video, we cover how to meet now with fellow teachers, schedule meetings for later, and record meeting notes. Have you ever been typing back and forth with someone and wish you could just talk with them in person instead? With Teams, you can quickly do that with the click of one button: Meet now. If you record your meetings, they can be saved within the respective channel so absent members can easily find and view later. Teams makes it easy for educators to continue or create new Professional Learning Communities. Watch this video to learn more about PLC capabilities in Teams.
The Total Economic Impact™ of Microsoft Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
According to Forrester, Microsoft Azure SQL Database Managed Instance has the best ROI, with a migration payback in six months or less and a potential 212% ROI over three years.
Additionally, Azure's intelligent database offers dynamic scalability that enables your database to transparently respond to rapidly changing requirements, and you pay only for the resources you need, when you need them.
Azure works with your on-premises investments so that customers use their same skills when they migrate, using familiar tools and features. All of this, along with easy and free migration tools, makes Azure the best fit option for your cloud needs.
Stitch Fix's radical data-driven way to sell clothes is reinventing retail
When you think of AI powerhouses, a fashion house may not be what first comes to mind. But capsule wardrobe company Stitch Fix is perfecting the art. In this article in Fast Company, learn how Stitch Fix relies on algorithms to drive all aspects of the business from selecting clothes for clients to running the warehouse. Their innovative Style Shuffle allows clients to rate clothing images each day, feeding the algorithm and refining the clothes offered to that customer. Customer comments after they've received a Fix give valuable feedback to clothing manufacturers on the minutiae of fit as well as style--a level of feedback they never get from retail.
This is the kind of pooling of data you get with the modern business intelligence of Power Bi and Azure. You can build and innovate with choice and flexibility. And you have visual drag and drop data exploration and interactive reporting right at your fingertips.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Staying productive while working remotely with Microsoft Teams
With the COVID-19 outbreak turning a massive amount of the global workforce to remote work, everyone is adjusting to meetings, chatting, and collaborating exclusively online. This blog post shares the top tips from the team behind Teams on how to make working from home productive and healthy.
How to manage meetings in Microsoft Teams
This video is a quick tutorial on how to use the meeting features in Microsoft Teams.
Digital Transformation in the Oil & Gas Industry: Combining Azure Cloud-Based Services
Our third Lizo video shows how utilizing Cosmos DB, SQL Database and Cache for Redis is advantageous for a company managing large volumes of data. The outcome: increased operational efficiencies and improved visibility in predictive maintenance. Watch this video for another quick look at how Azure drives business results!
5 reasons to choose Microsoft Power BI over Tableau
How do Microsoft's Power BI and Tableau compare? And how do you choose? Check out these five factors to consider as you evaluate the best solution for your data needs.
How to maintain your mental health while working from home
During this uncertain time, it's increasingly important for people to take care of their mental health. This article from Fast Company offers suggestions to maintain mental health while working remotely. Tips range from acknowledging the impact to streamlining work, and more.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Remote staff meeting with Teams
It's easy to meet through Microsoft Teams. You can invite others to meet right now, or you can schedule a future meeting through the calendar tab. Participants can take notes, invite others, share content, and even record the meeting for team members to watch later. After each meeting, all the notes, recordings, shared files, and conversations are available for future reference. Teams takes the stress out of scheduling, organizing and recording meetings, so you can focus on content and collaboration. Even better, Office 365 and Teams A1 is free to educators right now!
Microsoft Power BI Premium
If you're trying to find the best solution for your data analysis needs, read this white paper to get the inside details on what Power BI offers. Dedicated capacity, ability to work within your firewall with an on-premises server, the ability to build and distribute solutions broadly, higher dataset refresh rates and much more, including a peek at future feature sets.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Remote working checklist
This infographic provides helpful guidance on how to be productive and maintain healthy boundaries while working from home.
It's 2020. Do You Know Where Your Digital Future Is?
In most of our homes, we utilize and depend on the cloud in multiple ways every single day—think online banking and shopping, social media, email and doorbell video cameras. "It might be the first time in history that our habits at home have outpaced how we function at work," writes Tyler Bowman in his Forbes article, "It's 2020. Do You Know Where Your Digital Future Is?"
Bowman addresses three main lingering concerns in the corporate world, including generational divide. "Millennials are driving a market disruption that many CEOs are grappling to embrace," Bowman adds, however, that this difference does not need to result in irreconcilable work practices and values. His suggestions for embracing the disruption support his main point, which is it's just a matter of time before our cloud utilization at work catches up to our already existing cloud dependency at home.
Read this article for interesting perspective on the corporate cloud in 2020 and beyond.
The Adecco Group connects a global workforce through innovative and collaborative technologies
As a global leader in professional staffing, career transition, and talent mobility, the Adecco Group has been transforming the world of work. They help customers embrace the changing employment landscape and develop new ways of working. With 34,000 team members across the globe, they needed more effective ways to collaborate in real time and a better way to access data for driving good decisions.
Microsoft 365 equips HR leaders with the people data needed to drive business and cultural transformation. Now these leaders can tap into the idea of working out loud and stimulating employee creativity with Microsoft Teams. And with Power BI, they've unlocked data so they can get the analysis they need, right on the spot!
Check out how Adecco is creating the future of work in these two brief videos!
Welcome to Microsoft Teams
This video is a quick introduction on how to use Microsoft Teams. The tutorial highlights such features as channels, chat, calls, and files. Watch this video to see how Teams can help your employees collaborate and stay organized.
SQL Server and Azure SQL Database GDPR Guidance Paper
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in European law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside of these areas.
To meet General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, Microsoft has implemented technical (tooling) and organizational measures (processes) to ensure that data processing is in accordance with GDPR privacy regulations. The actual path will be different for every organization, but general resources are available in a Service Trust Portal that Microsoft has created for customers to get started.
This white paper provides a good overview of GDPR and includes many links to sites with more specific information for associated topics. Contact us if you have questions!
Wednesday, May 06, 2020
Grade assignments in Teams
This video shows teachers how to save time by grading students' assignments in Teams. Specifically, it addresses how to efficiently leave comments, quickly insert personalized feedback, and grade with already-provided rubrics (that total scores for you). Watch this short video to learn the essentials of how to streamline grading in Teams.
Why the cloud? Why Microsoft Azure?
Is the cloud secure for my apps? Which apps make sense to run in the cloud? Can I trust my business-critical app to a cloud vendor? You want to head to the cloud, but naturally you have questions.
You may also wonder why customers choose Microsoft Azure for their cloud migration. One reason is unparalleled innovation: you can maximize your productivity with fully managed services such as App Service, Azure SQL Database, and global on-demand Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Your focus should be driving your business priorities instead of worrying about running data centers.
Want to know the other reasons to choose Azure? Have questions? Tabarin Consulting is ready to help you!
Say hello to Microsoft Teams
Watch this 30-minute instructor-led training to see real-world scenarios of Microsoft Teams in action. Learn about the advantages of Teams including staying connected with teammates during remote work, collaborating on documents, and managing projects more easily. Due to increased demand, classes are filling quickly, so sign up soon. Microsoft will be adding more live sessions, but you are also invited to view training on-demand.
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
Good Decision Making Requires Good Data
In our data centric times, it's easy to equate lots of data with good data. Catch this article, "Good Decision Making Requires Good Data" in Entrepreneur Magazine. Author George Deeb of Red Rocket Ventures gives personal examples of thinking he had the data thing down and then realizing the need to continue to refine their AI efforts to have accurate and meaningful data. With Microsoft's AI Builder layered onto the Power Platform, you can ensure it will be easy to build dashboards, apps, and workflows. Get the information you need to run your business, whatever your field.
A day in the life of the remote worker
This infographic outlines a day in the life of a remote worker using Microsoft Teams to collaborate, create, and be more productive while working at home. See how this employee uses multiple features to stay connected with the team and work efficiently.
Microsoft Cortana unlocks data's full potential
Modern business is being transformed by three major trends: Big data, the cloud and intelligence. The winners will master all three. Learn how Microsoft Cortana can get you there by unlocking the full potential of your data. Remove the divide between IT and the business side of your operation and empower your whole workforce to access data and drive better decisions. Transform data into intelligent action with Power BI and Microsoft Azure.
Our commitment to customers during COVID-19
This post from Microsoft's leadership team details our commitment to customers during the COVID-19 crisis. It outlines how Microsoft's top priority is the health and safety of employees, customers, partners, and communities. It also explains how Teams is available for everyone and what Microsoft is doing to keep the application running smoothly.
Digital Transformation in the Oil & Gas Industry: Collect and Monitor Sensor Data
At oil and gas facilities, data from sensors and cameras must be collected, analyzed and visualized economically in order to keep operations running smoothly. Watch this Lizo video to see how the Power BI application allows remote decision-making—significantly reducing overhead cost and achieving operational efficiency.
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The task of GDPR compliance can be overwhelming for businesses but it doesn't have to be. This guide is intended to help businesses bett...
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Source: http://www.elearning-africa.com/newsportal/english/news213.php In many hospitals throughout the world, it is still standard practi...
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Companies needed to embrace change as the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and continues to have a multi-sector impact on nations, b...
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As you embrace the opportunities presented by cloud and mobile computing to connect with customers and optimize operations, you take on new ...
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HP Inc. handles more than 600 million technical support contacts each year, and the company strives to make every single o...
