Richard Humphreys |
It was back in 2008 when Microsoft chief software architect Ray Ozzie announced a new cloud computing platform called Windows Azure.
Officially released in 2010, the solution has grown at a phenomenal pace over the past eight years and today is used by 90% of Fortune 500 companies.
Here’s our roundup of the top seven most recent use cases that have hit the headlines:
Columbia Sportswear adopts Microsoft cloud to enhance customer experience
Active outdoor apparel provider Columbia Sportswear and Microsoft are collaborating to enhance Columbia Sportswear’s global consumer experience and drive digital transformation.
Through the adoption of intelligent cloud technology, Columbia Sportswear will be able to deliver a more personalised customer experience for its retail, call centre, customer relationship management and merchandising operations.
The sportswear provider will also use Dynamics 365 and Azure to gain consumer insights and business intelligence through consumer interactions, whether through its wholesale businesses, physical stores, ecommerce experiences or mobile channels.
CognitiveScale to deliver AI for financial services on Microsoft Azure
Artificial intelligence (AI) specialist CognitiveScale is collaborating with Microsoft to deliver financial services specific solutions on Microsoft Azure.
“AI has the power to transform the financial services industry more than any other technology has in recent history,” said Akshay Sabhikhi, CEO of CognitiveScale. “CognitiveScale and Microsoft are in a unique position to deliver a full stack financial services AI cloud to transform how financial institutions engage their clients, improve employee decision-making, and manage risk and compliance.”
Detego launches mobile, chatbot and AI solutions for retailers
European retail software vendor Detego showcased its new digital in-store solutions for retailers at NRF 2018 in New York.
Hosted on Microsoft Azure, Detego’s mobile solution offers faster access to the benefits of digital connectivity. Meanwhile, Detega, a new chatbot which leverages Microsoft’s Bot Framework, supports customers throughout their shopping experience.
Microsoft and SAP offer digital transformation pathway
Microsoft and SAP have expanded their partnership to provide enterprise customers with integrated offerings and a clear road map to drive more business innovation in the cloud.
SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud – SAP’s private managed cloud service – on Microsoft Azure will allow customers to run SAP S/4HANA in a secure, managed cloud. Microsoft will deploy SAP S/4HANA on Azure to help run its own internal finance processes, and SAP will move its key internal business critical systems to Azure.
Microsoft cloud enhances Real Madrid’s connection with fans
Spanish football club Real Madrid has partnered with the Microsoft Sports Digital Platform to create a new fan engagement solution which integrates digital services across all areas of the club, and is based on the Microsoft cloud and Office 365 platform.
Real Madrid has over 500 million fans globally. Of its 106 million Facebook fans, only three percent are in Spain. So the club turned to Microsoft to help fulfil its objective of reaching each supporter.
All aspects of Real Madrid’s fan engagement solution are captured and stored on Microsoft Azure, and displayed in an easy to understand format using Microsoft Power BI. A customised profile for each individual fan is created, showing their interests and engagement in an easily digestible format.
Temenos launches Microsoft Azure-based Payment Hub
Banking and finance software provider Temenos launched its Payment Hub on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.
The Payment Hub operates as a fully embedded component of the Temenos Core Banking platform and allows banks to transform their payments offerings at a lower initial investment, providing better value to their customers. Temenos is the first to launch a cloud-based version of a payment hub that is fully embedded into a core banking platform.
Symantec uses Microsoft cloud to increase customer security
Security firm Symantec is using Microsoft Azure cloud to help deliver its Norton products to over 50 million people and families.
The firm has chosen the Microsoft cloud as part of an initiative to adopt hybrid cloud strategies that support its business, protect company and customer data, and increase operational efficiencies.
With this initiative, Symantec is expecting to increase performance, agility and security, and reduce its operating expenses. Microsoft Azure allows Symantec to innovate quickly, helping protect customers’ digital lives at home and across devices.
DXC Technology launches new offerings for Microsoft Azure
IT services firm DXC Technology launched a series of new application and managed service offerings for Microsoft Azure.
The new services – Application Services for Azure, Analytics Offerings on Azure, DXC Services on Azure for SAP, and DXC Managed Services for Azure – have been designed to help DXC’s customers accelerate and efficiently scale digital strategies across both public and private clouds.