PLUS: Peter Hazou highlights the importance of upgrading banking systems Nicole Dezen discusses what to expect from Microsoft Ignite 2024 ISSUE 34: AUTUMN 2024 £24.00 Powering business growth Microsoft’s Satish Thomas explains how AI is delivering a wealth of benefits for organisations Microsoft and its partners are enhancing the Dynamics 365 experience for customers Spectralink’s Nick Muir shares how frontline workers can communicate with clarity Orion Innovation is helping to evolve payments processes, says Anoop Gala
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9 WELCOME: AUTUMN 2024 A season of global gatherings While this issue of the magazine reaches readers, industry events across the globe are gearing up to welcome attendees. In-person gatherings are quickly reestablishing themselves as vital opportunities for business leaders to enhance their industry insights and grow their professional networks. With many of these events leveraging technology to engage both in-person and virtual delegates, are we on the cusp of a real revolution in how business leaders connect? For Microsoft, the opportunity to connect with customers and partners in both physical and virtual spaces offers genuine benefits. Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer, shares insights into how Microsoft will leverage both of these channels at this year’s Ignite event in Chicago, USA, where 10,000 in-person attendees will be joined by upwards of 300,000 virtual participants. She discusses what delegates can expect on page 18. Technology Record has a long history of partnering with key events across all industry sectors and in all regions, and this autumn season will be no exception with the team and publication having physical presence at Community Summit North America, Gitex Global and more. The magazine will be visible at a wide range of enterprise gatherings covering everything from financial services to media, public sector and retail, so you might come across it at the next industry event you attend. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the read. ANDY CLAYTON-SMITH: EXECUTIVE EDITOR
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11 CONTENTS 36 POWERING BUSINESS GROWTH Microsoft’s Satish Thomas explains how AI is delivering a wealth of benefits for organisations across every industry, and in every region, all with the help of Microsoft’s partner ecosystem 18 MARKETWATCH The latest news from Microsoft and its partners, including an interview with Nicole Dezen on what attendees can expect at Microsoft Ignite 2024 44 A nywhere365’s Will Blench explains how AI technology is empowering contact centre agents with all the data and capabilities that they need 48 R epresentatives from PMI are providing project managers with opportunities for business growth 50 Henry Patel explains the importance of zero-trust strategies and how Jamf uses Microsoft technology to secure Apple devices 52 A modern hybrid workforce needs a secure solution to make corporate communication simpler, says Lee Essex from Tango Networks 54 D aren Klum from Secured2 on why organisations should take a physics-based approach to encryption to secure their data 55 C yber resilience is a team sport, says Kyndryl’s Tim Wheatly 56 Iravan Hira plans to refine Tiger Technology’s solutions to help customers overcome their cloud adoption concerns 58 W e hear from Spectralink’s Nick Muir on how frontline workers can communicate better in the workplace 60 Boosting customer engagement comes from improving efficiency on the frontline, according to Zebra Technologies’ Stuart Hubbard 62 Crestron’s Joel Mulpeter explains how visual AI is improving meetings 64 Mike Sullivan-Trainor provides an update on the global professional audiovisual industry and the impact of the hybrid office ISSUE 34: AUTUMN 2024
CONTENTS 13 66 Vic Bhagat shares how Q-SYS is working with Microsoft to give everyone a voice 67 Businesses can accelerate growth with powerful partnerships. We hear from Sachin Bery at Infosys 68 How can we decarbonise the power sector? The answer lies in partnerships, says AVEVA’s Ann Moore 71 Kyndryl’s Marc Reed explains how to transition workloads to the cloud 72 i solved has streamlined payroll processes for care provider Right at Home, reducing errors and freeing up time for HR professionals 74 L anteria’s Hanna Miller explains how Microsoft Azure and HR management systems are enabling businesses to thrive 76 Kya Shoar and Pancho Del Valle from Celonis explain the potential benefits of combining process intelligence with AI agents 78 N asuni’s latest offering provides organisations with a complete view of their operations. Jim Liddle tells us more 79 MongoDB’s Abhinav Mehla explains how retrieval augmented generation helps organisations to build better generative AI-powered applications 80 Brian Mistretta of NICE discusses why AI has quickly become an essential tool for delivering an outstanding customer experience 82 J ay Snyder at Dynatrace shares how organisations can use technologies like AI to get ahead of the game 84 A dynamic future In a changing world, organisations need a solution that can grow and work with them. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 ecosystem, with its array of AIpowered tools, is leading the charge 92 Avalara’s Alex Baulf explains how businesses can adapt to VAT and e-invoicing regulations 94 Perry Homes implemented Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management with help from Caf2Code 96 TTEC Digital is helping Westcon-Comstor increase sales opportunity win rates with Dynamics 365 Sales 99 AI-powered tools enable finance departments to work more productively and effectively, says Bryan Wilton from LBMC Technology Solutions 101 Formpipe’s Mike Rogers explains how to build a future-proof ERP ecosystem 102 Deepak Kumar Parashar and Ramana Raju Nidadavolu from Infosys explain why it’s smart for firms to move to Dynamics 365 IN FOCUS: DYNAMICS 365 1 72 THE LAST WORD Cavell’s Patrick Watson explains how AI is transforming customer experiences 165 A selection of Microsoft partners operating across all business sectors FEATURED PARTNERS
14 CONTENTS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIALS & MANUFACTURING 124 Fabio Terezinho from AVEVA explains how manufacturers can expedite their paths to net zero 126 Rockwell Automation’s Austin Locke and Rodrigo Alves on powering sustainable factories 127 Skkynet’s Xavier Mesrobian lists six ways manufacturers can secure their critical processes 128 Microsoft’s AI-driven tools can safeguard manufacturers, according to Synergy Technical’s Clay Westbay 131 Metafile Information System’s Andy Birkey reveals how AP automation is enhancing manufacturing efficiency and financial visibility 133 Digital twins are transforming manufacturing processes and optimising operations, says Andrew Ellis from Rockwell Automation 118 Operating at the highest level Parag Ladha explains how Microsoft is leveraging new tools and technologies to secure and enhance manufacturing operations, improve operational efficiency and help manufacturers meet their environmental and social responsibilities 106 In with the new Microsoft’s Peter Hazou highlights the importance of upgrading banking systems to use data more effectively 114 F inastra’s Matthieu Andrieu explains why the financial services industry must embrace technology and open finance 116 Banks are adapting how they handle payments to keep up with customer expectations, according to Orion Innovation’s Anoop Gala
15 RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS 154 Powering the connected supply chain Microsoft’s Felice Miller shares how retailers and consumer goods companies can achieve resilient supply chains through AI, automation and strong partnerships 162 Parth Thakker from Zebra Technologies explains how AI, machine learning and RFID are helping to improve inventory management PUBLIC SECTOR 150 Sally Ann Frank explains how solutions by Microsoft and its partners are meeting the needs of women’s health 142 An AI-powered revolution Microsoft’s Didier Ongena explains how generative AI, digital twins and the cloud are helping governments and city leaders to optimise operations and deliver better services to citizens MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS 134 Taking on the challenge Jessica Hawk discusses how Microsoft is helping media companies adapt and grow as new AI-enabled services and market trends disrupt existing business models 139 Tollring’s suite of AI-powered solutions help organisations monitor, analyse and improve customer experience, says Hilary Oliver 140 From TV to Teams: AVIXA’s Dan Goldstein explains how broadcast technology is reshaping the way businesses communicate
Executive editor Andy Clayton-Smith Head of editorial Rebecca Gibson Editorial lead Alice Chambers Digital content lead Amber Hickman Editorial team Richard Humphreys, Laura Hyde, Alex Smith Production manager Stuart Fairbrother Design Bruce Graham, Libby Sidebotham, Dhanika Vansia Website development Chris Jackson Publication manager Ricky Popat Partner managers Tim Grayson, Daniel Thurlow, Thomas Wills, Paul Zmija Subscriptions For subscription enquiries, please contact Tudor Rose on subscribe@tudor-rose.co.uk or visit the website www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Circulation Sophia Brinkley Publisher Toby Ingleton Photography courtesy of contributors and www.istockphoto.com Business management Rachael Heggs, Richard Pepperman Published by Tudor Rose Tudor House, 6 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA Tel: +44 116 222 9900 www.tudor-rose.co.uk Technology Record is a quarterly magazine about technology solutions for enterprise organisations, published by Tudor Rose in collaboration with Microsoft. For further information and to subscribe, please visit: www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Visit www.technologyrecord.com for up-to-date news and articles about Microsoft technology for enterprise businesses, a comprehensive directory of Microsoft partners that provide solutions for enterprise businesses, and to find out more about our printed publications. ISSN 2754-3277 (Print) and 2754-3285 (Online). Printed in Great Britain by Micropress. © 2024 Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored or transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means, including whether by photocopying, scanning, downloading onto computer or otherwise without the prior written permission from Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Microsoft or the publishers. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. Readers should take appropriate professional advice before acting on any issue raised herein. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising material and editorial contributions. The publisher assumes no liability for the return or safety of unsolicited art, photography or manuscripts. Follow Technology Record: ISSUE 34: AUTUMN 2024 ANALYSTS AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS PUBLISHED IN COLLABORATION WITH Microsoft is the world leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
SPONSORS Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, enabling clients to navigate their digital journeys. Kyndryl and Microsoft are delivering solutions that enable modern work experiences and support mission-critical workloads and hybrid cloud adoption. AVIXA is the international trade association for the audiovisual industry, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, and co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe. PUBLISHING PARTNERS AVEVA creates industrial software that inspires people to shape the future, by delivering solutions across the asset and operations life cycles. Dynatrace’s observability and application security enables businesses to modernise and automate cloud operations, deliver software faster and more securely, and ensure flawless digital experience. Zebra Technologies is an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge. Anywhere365’s dialogue management and cloud contact centre solutions are a native communication layer on top of Microsoft Teams and Azure Communication Services and skyrocket omnichannel customer engagement. Tiger Technology is a file data services company that helps organisations with mission-critical deployments optimise their on-premises infrastructure through hybrid cloud workflows. Orion Innovation is a leading digital transformation and product development services firm, delivering agile, scalable business solutions through digital strategy, experience design, and engineering expertise. 17
MARKETWATCH Microsoft will highlight how its customers can capitalise on its artificial intelligence and cloud technologies to modernise their IT environments, increase security, boost productivity, enhance customer experiences and drive other business benefits at Microsoft Ignite this year. More than 10,000 people are expected at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, USA, from 19-22 November, where they will gain insights from Microsoft and partners who build, market, sell, deploy and support solutions based on Microsoft technologies. “Attendees will get first-hand access to news and announcements, and new features, tools and solutions,” said Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer and corporate vice president at Microsoft. “They will also have the opportunity to engage with a diverse community of experts and enthusiasts, sharing knowledge, collaborating and learning from each other. Microsoft partners will have the opportunity to connect with other partners, customers and Microsoft leaders, as well as attend programme sessions. The event will also have keynote experiences focused on the differentiated value and opportunities offered by the Microsoft Cloud and the latest innovations for AI transformation, as well as technical sessions on each of the Microsoft solution areas.” Some of the partners who have confirmed attendance for 2024 are Ansys, Crestron, Dynatrace, Jamf, Kyndryl, Lenovo, MongoDB and Q-SYS. In 2023, 32 per cent of attendees were from partner organisations. “We anticipate a high percentage of Ignite attendees to be from our partner organisations again this Microsoft Ignite 2024 to focus on cloud and AI We spoke with Microsoft’s chief partner officer Nicole Dezen about the four-day event, which will showcase partners and solutions that can help customers harness Microsoft technology 18 “We invite all our 500,000 partners to join us at Microsoft Ignite, in person in Chicago or digitally”
19 year,” said Dezen. “Our partners have always attended Ignite, to engage in the technical content sessions and learn about the latest Microsoft innovation, so we will have content designed to give them hands-on experience with it. This year, we will also provide added business-focused content for partners wanting to learn more about the programme updates, key investments and go-to-market opportunities. This will show them how best to engage with Microsoft, no matter where they are in their journey with us.” Microsoft will also host online experiences to support the in-person event. In 2023, online participants pushed Ignite’s overall attendance figures to over 300,000 people. “We invite all our 500,000 partners to join us at Microsoft Ignite, in person in Chicago or digitally,” said Dezen. “It will be terrific to be in person with partners and customers to share Microsoft’s future vision, key news and announcements, and compelling stories addressing the breadth of themes and issues that are most pressing for our customers and the world in which we live. We continue to hear from partners about how much they’ve missed the in-person connections at events, so we are thrilled to be able to offer this. Having an event that brings customers and partners together with Microsoft creates even more opportunity.” The event will also celebrate Microsoft’s Partner of the Year award winners, which were announced in late June. “We look forward to providing a special in-person experience for them at Ignite,” said Dezen. MCAPS Start for Partners Microsoft hosted the digital MCAPS Start for Partners event in July to help partners to prepare for Ignite. “I encourage partners who have not yet viewed the MCAPS Start for Partners content to do so as they prepare for Ignite, so they are informed of our fiscal year priorities, programme updates and investments that will be the foundation of what we share with partners at Ignite,” said Dezen. All content from the event is available for partners at: bit.ly/3ANi3Vj Ignite 2024 will offer attendees the opportunity to gain insights from Microsoft and its partners who build, market, sell, deploy and support solutions based on Microsoft technologies Photos: Microsoft
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21 MARKETWATCH ASOS to expand its AI capabilities with Microsoft Global fashion retailer ASOS has signed a new three-year agreement with Microsoft to advance its use of AI across various operations. The partnership will expand ASOS’s use of Microsoft AI tools such as Power Automate for process automation, Teams Premium for automated meeting management and Microsoft Copilot for efficient coding with Microsoft 365 and GitHub. “A core part of our business strategy is driving operational excellence within ASOS: making sure we’re as fast, efficient and effective as we can be, and investing our time and resources in the projects that matter,” said Victoria Arden, director of technology operations at ASOS. “Under this new agreement, we’re helping ASOSers safely experiment with generative AI tools that can remove ‘busy work’ from their day, freeing them up to unlock greater creativity and insights and focus on delighting our customers.” ASOS, which uses Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform, launched its AI Stylist in 2024. The Azure OpenAIpowered feature helps customers discover new fashions and outfits through a conversational interface. Microsoft AI helps to authenticate Italian products Microsoft is working with the Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (the Italian State Printing Institute and Mint) to develop a virtual assistant able to verify the authenticity of Italian products. The generative AI chatbot is built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI and has access to the institute’s proprietary models to scan and analyse products for Consorzio di Tutela della DOC Prosecco (the Consortium for the Protection of the Prosecco DOC). The tool will be able to verify the authenticity of labels through a photo of the state seal. It will also scan the label to provide detailed information on the product’s origin, characteristics and recommended pairings. Microsoft and the institute hope to replicate the tool to authenticate all Made in Italy products in the future. Photo: JProsecco DOC Photo: Unsplash/Surface
22 New Era launches Copilot for Microsoft 365 workshops New Era Technology has utilised its Intelligent Adoption Framework to create a series of Copilot for Microsoft 365 workshops, designed to equip leaders with the knowledge to make informed decisions about integrating Copilot for Microsoft 365 into their organisations. Learn more about New Era’s workshops at: bit.ly/4g1cSBh 75% of global knowledge workers use AI, according to the Microsoft Work Index 1 in 10 organisations have undergone the preparation needed to comply with generative AI regulations, according to the Generative AI Global Research Report from SAS $407 billion is how much the global AI market is projected to be worth by 2027, according to the MarketsandMarkets Artificial Intelligence Market report AI IN NUMBERS Formpipe introduces Lasernet Essentials for the Dynamics 365 community Formpipe offers a free edition of their flagship product Lasernet that enables you to scale and streamline your documentation process from your first use case to an enterprise rollout. “We are proud to offer a version of our dynamic, embedded document editor and data aggregation tool free to our customers and partners,” said Anders Terp, head of dynamics strategy at Formpipe. “Our goal is to empower companies to build their ideal customer journey within their D365 ecosystem.” Learn more about Lasernet Essentials at: formpi.pe/LE24 or visit Formpipe at Community Summit and Directions EMEA (turn to page 101 to find out more) Steve Daly, senior vice president of solutions and global digital transformation, and Lorena Lane, senior consultant and generative AI practice lead, at New Era Technology will lead the workshops MARKETWATCH
Q-SYS VisionSuite enhances the visibility of participants in the room, providing a more natural viewing experience for remote attendees and enabling teams to feel connected and engaged, regardless of their location. It features AI-enhanced computer vision technology, intelligent audio-based automatic camera switching, flexible camera options, and vision-driven room automation. Intelligent presenter tracking and audio-based camera switching qsys.com/visionsuite ©2024 QSC, LLC all rights reserved. Q-SYS is part of QSC, LLC. QSC, LLC’s trademarks include but are not limited to Q-SYS™, Q-SYS logo, and all trademarks are listed under www.qsys.com/trademarks, some of which are registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. Elevate Your Hybrid Experiences with AI
24 MARKETWATCH Crestron’s Videobar 70 is now certified for Microsoft Teams. The all-in-one collaboration bar is designed to provide a premium audiovisual experience for medium to large meeting rooms, via Teams or any bring-your-own-device service. The videobar includes built-in unified communications computing and intelligent features that capture participants vividly. Four high-quality cameras work together to intelligently crop the best image to provide a clear, well-framed view of the person speaking, even from as far away as 7.5 metres, while the Android operating system makes it an easy plug-and-play deployment. Crestron Videobar receives Teams certification Lumen Technologies to accelerate digital transformation and AI initiatives Lumen Technologies is working with Microsoft to accelerate its digital transformation and drive AI initiatives with the help of Microsoft Azure. By utilising Microsoft Cloud and AI technology, Lumen aims to reduce its overall technology costs, remove legacy systems and silos, and improve its offerings for customers. The firm will also use Microsoft Entra solutions to safeguard access and prevent identity attacks. Human resources (HR) management platform provider Lanteria has released a new analytics module to provide managers with advanced employee insights for better strategic decision-making. Built on Microsoft Power BI, the module gives HR managers access to over 40 comprehensive dashboards, providing a 360-degree view of an organisation, including recruitment, hiring, diversity, performance and termination analysis, as well as attrition prediction, employee risk scores and more. “We’re taking HR data to the next level with Lanteria and Microsoft,” said Andrew Swiler, CEO of Lanteria. “With faster, more extensive access to employee and business data, organisations can make better, data-informed decisions to support business growth and future planning.” Lanteria launches advanced analytics for workforce metrics In the first half of 2024 there were 26 million attempts to access malicious sites masquerading as one of the world’s 25 most popular global online brands, according to Kaspersky – that is an increase of 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. PHISHING FACT
25 China leads generative AI adoption while US leads implementation Generative AI is constantly evolving, having progressed from simple rule-based models to sophisticated deep learning systems which are transforming numerous industries. According to research by Microsoft partner SAS, China is currently leading the way with generative AI investments, while organisations in the USA are ahead in terms of having fully implemented the technology across operations. The Global Research Report: Strategies for a Competitive Advantage found 83% of organisations in China are using the technology, compared to 70 per cent in the UK, 65 per cent in the USA and 63 per cent in Australia 24% of US organisations have fully implemented generative AI compared to just 19 per cent in China 75% of organisations say they have set aside budgets to invest in the technology in the next financial year. Project Management Institute (PMI) has added a new prompt library feature to its AIpowered solution, PMI Infinity. The prompt library is a curated repository of generative AI prompts created and vetted by the PMI community. This will help project managers make the most of PMI Infinity and achieve specific results based on their needs, such as additional learning or guidance for performing a task. PMI Infinity and the prompt library are available to PMI members. A 30-day free trial is available here: bit.ly/pmi-free-trial Tollring has formed an equity alliance with AI software group Amity Solutions to enhance its product offering and accelerate the development and adoption of its generative AI-powered applications. Amity Solutions and Tollring will collaborate to pool their Gen-AI knowledge and technology, allowing both companies to enhance the communication, productivity and customer satisfaction solutions that they sell across the globe. Dynatrace has become a member of the Microsoft Intelligence Security Association (MISA), an ecosystem of independent software vendors and managed security service providers that have integrated their solutions with Microsoft Security technology to protect mutual customers against cyberthreats. Integrating Dynatrace with Microsoft Sentinel provides users with proactive, AI-driven insights and automation, extending visibility across application security workloads for comprehensive, end-to-end observability throughout the Microsoft ecosystem. Application security teams benefit from automated runtime vulnerability detection and risk assessment for cloud-native applications across the entire software development lifecycle. GENERATIVE AI UPDATES TTEC Digital becomes launch partner for Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Contact Center TTEC Digital, one of the largest global customer experience (CX) technology and services providers for end-to-end digital CX solutions, has been selected as a launch partner for the new Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center, which became generally available on 1 July 2024. Dynamics 365 Contact Center is a standalone contact-center-as-a-service solution delivering generative AI to every customer engagement channel and seamlessly integrates with leading customer relationship managements systems and custom apps. “We’ve seen first-hand the transformative potential of AI in driving a Microsoft Copilot-first, cloud solution and view this as a game-changer in personalising and elevating the customer experience while automating and integrating an agent’s workflow,” said Karl Phenix, vice president of Microsoft goto-market and solution engineering at TTEC Digital. Read more about TTEC Digital’s partnership with Microsoft at: bit.ly/3WGepDQ Dynatrace joins MISA Photo: Adobe Stock/Drazen
26 MARKETWATCH Tango Extend now available in 39 countries Tango Networks’ eSIM solution for Microsoft Teams Phones, Tango Extend, is now available in 39 countries through its Global Pass subscription service. The solution allows Teams landline numbers to be used on mobile phones. Now, Tango Extend subscribers can integrate their personal mobile devices into their corporate communication systems, allowing them to use a single business number across international borders. This ensures clear and consistent communication wherever employees are located, making it easier for businesses to navigate international operations. Tiger Bridge becomes an Azure benefit-eligible solution Tiger Technology’s hybrid cloud file data management solution, Tiger Bridge, is now an Azure benefit-eligible solution available on Microsoft's Azure Marketplace. Customers can now apply 100 per cent of their Tiger Bridge purchase on Azure Marketplace towards their Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC), maximising the return on their Azure cloud investment. This new eligibility provides several advantages. Businesses can improve resource optimisation and cost management by effectively allocating their Azure spend. Additionally, the simplified procurement process allows customers to streamline their purchases with a single invoice under their MACC agreement. This eliminates the need for further investments or budgeting challenges. Skkynet releases updated version of Cogent DataHub The latest version of Skkynet’s Cogent DataHub software offers managers more security options when collecting industrial data from the production floor or remote locations for their IT departments and AI service. Version 11 of Cogent DataHub software supports two-factor authentication and lightweight directory access protocol, offers a software data diode mode, and works with any hardware data diode that supports transmission control protocol streaming. The solution can keep all inbound firewall ports closed and integrates with demilitarized zones to keep networks isolated. Synergy Technical creates ‘Copilot End User Training’ Synergy Technical has launched its Copilot End User Training to empower organisations with the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Participants will explore the basics of generative AI, delve into Microsoft’s data protection policies, and watch interactive demonstrations of Copilot’s seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps. The session offers hands-on experience, delivering in-depth knowledge and customised solutions to boost productivity and streamline collaboration across teams. Photo: Adobe Stock/DC Studio Photo: Adobe Stock/bnenin Photo: Adobe Stock/Bussarin
Make every word heard with Microflex Wireless neXt 2. It’s the only all-in-one two channel wireless microphone system with a combined receiver, charger, and IntelliMix® DSP. With available handheld, bodypack or boundary microphones, it’s the ideal solution for all your meeting, higher-education, and training spaces. Discover more at shure.com/microflex-wireless-next-2 MXW neXt 2 WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM INTRODUCING MICROFLEX® WIRELESS SO REVOLUTIONARY IT DESERVES TWO MIC DROPS Current certified solutions include MXWAPDX2, MXW6X, and MXN5-C. © 2024 Shure Incorporated
28 MARKETWATCH Secured2 quantum-secure internet now available on Azure Secured2’s quantum-secure internet, which leverages quantum-resistant, physics-based encryption to protect data against emerging threats, including future quantum computing advancements, is now available on the Microsoft Azure platform. “The launch aims to redefine data protection standards within the Azure ecosystem and marks a significant step forward in cybersecurity, providing users with the tools needed to stay ahead of evolving threats,” said Daren Klum, CEO at Secured2 (pictured). Q-SYS VisionSuite certified for Microsoft Teams Jabra PanaCast 50 delivers new AI-powered meeting experiences Updates to the Jabra PanaCast 50 bring Microsoft People Recognition functionality to the video bar, which is the first front-of-room device certified for Microsoft’s Intelligent Speaker functionality. New Multi-stream Dynamic Composition for Jabra PanaCast 50 provides a close-up of meeting room participants by giving individuals their own video stream, in addition to showing a 180-degree, panoramic view of the entire meeting room for a natural, inclusive experience for all meeting participants. The Q-SYS VisionSuite from audiovisual solution provider Q-SYS, a division of QSC, is now certified for Microsoft Teams. The solution features AI-powered presenter tracking, audio-based camera switching and flexible camera options so organisations can create more seamless hybrid meetings between in-person and remote attendees and help teams feel more connected.
29 Spectralink introduces IP DECT Solution for deskless workers Spectralink’s S Series DECT handsets offer a seamless integration with Microsoft Teams, empowering deskless workers. With features like the Teams logo, menu, and status, these handsets provide a familiar and intuitive user experience. The S Series simplifies workflows, ensuring reliable connectivity and enhanced collaboration for all deskless employees. Additionally, the S Series offers optional integrations with alarm and messaging platforms, providing enhanced worker safety and security. Learn more about how Spectralink can support businesses at: bit.ly/4efnPxk Palantir Technologies and Microsoft will deliver cloud and AI services for classified networks used by US defence and intelligence agencies. This will be the first time an integrated suite of technologies will be deployed within Microsoft’s secure government and cloud environments. Palantir will implement its suite of products, including its Artificial Intelligence Platform and Gotham software which helps to locate targets on battlefields, in both the Microsoft Azure Government Secret and Top Secret clouds, pending government authorisation. The collaboration aims to facilitate the safe and responsible use of AI to support various national security functions such as logistics, contracting and strategic planning. Photo: US Department of defense/Air Force Airman 1st Class Connor Taggart Photo: Adobe Stock/ Wosunan Palantir and Microsoft to deploy AI for US national defence and security Celonis joins Microsoft to encourage AI innovation Experts from Celonis, a data processing company that offers software-as-a-service solutions to improve business processes, will participate in several free one-day events as part of the Microsoft AI Tour. The tour aims to unite business leaders, partners and technical practitioners to foster AI innovation with Microsoft and its partners. Celonis will be at Microsoft’s event in the following cities: PARIS FRANCE 22 October 2024 BERLIN GERMANY 24 October 2024 NEW YORK USA 30 January 2025 LONDON UK 5 March 2025 Find out more at: bit.ly/3MsXDmT
30 MARKETWATCH Jamf extends its device management and security offerings as a Microsoft partner LBMC Technology Solutions collaborates with Sage Intacct Jamf has signed a five-year agreement with Microsoft to expand the delivery of its device management and endpoint security solutions to customers with Microsoft environments. Jamf Pro, the firm’s Apple device management solution, will be available to host on the Azure cloud. Both management and security solutions will also be available via the Marketplace sold as one userbased pricing plan. This will allow Microsoft-based organisations to benefit from a simple, consolidated procurement experience and leverage their committed Azure spend to purchase Jamf. “Together, we will empower organisations to stay ahead of threats, managing and protecting their users and data across endpoints and the cloud, while reaching a broader set of customers around the world,” said Priscyla Laham, vice president of global partner solutions for the Americas at Microsoft. LBMC Technology Solutions has joined with Sage Intacct to use AI to automate accounts payable processes and general ledger outlier detection. This enables organisations to automatically scan bills and extract data, reducing human error, eliminating timezone delays and freeing finance professionals from menial tasks. Multiple organisations are already benefitting from these AI solutions, including US-based non-profit Operation Hope, which provides financial education to young people and adults. “LBMC Technology Solutions’ commitment to innovation and growth within the Sage Intacct community positions them as a top-performing partner, with Operation Hope benefiting from their cutting-edge solutions,” said Michael A. Smith, senior vice president of finance and accounting at Operation Hope. Digital transformation and product development services firm Orion Innovation has signed three deals with partners across the Middle East and Africa, expanding its presence in the financial services industry in the region. Orion will carry out a core banking platform upgrade for Stanbic Bank Kenya and implement Temenos’s cloud-based digital banking platform for both BNI Madagascar and Africa and Gulf Bank, helping them to modernise their products and services. Orion Innovation expands presence across Middle East and Africa Photo: Orion Innovation Photo: iStock/FlamingoImages Photo: Unsplash/Salome Watel
31 MARKETWATCH: EVENT PREVIEWS 14-17 October 2024 | Paris, France 5-7 November 2024 | Barcelona, Spain AVEVA World 2024: generating impact in the industrial sector Smart City Expo World Congress: driving urban innovation AVEVA World 2024 will be themed ‘Generate Impact’ and take place in Paris, France, from 14-17 October 2024. Delegates from over 600 companies worldwide will be able to explore industrial innovation, meet AVEVA leadership and hear from senior executives across multiple industries. With Microsoft as the platinum sponsor, AVEVA World Paris will feature visionary keynotes, customer sessions, industry deep-dives and hands-on training. Keynotes will be led by AVEVA’s CEO Caspar Herzberg, chief product officer Rob McGreevy, and chief commercial officer Sue Quense. Amal Clooney, international lawyer and human rights advocate, will also speak at the event. Delegates will hear from over 160 speakers and be able to attend over 90 customer presentations, allowing them to learn how the convergence of data-driven insights and artificial intelligence-powered solutions are reshaping industries worldwide and discover new ways to generate lasting impact. To find out more and register for AVEVA World 2024, visit: bit.ly/3XGpWEX Every year, Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) brings together leaders from global companies, governments and organisations to share how cities can be adapted for the future through urban innovation. More than 600 speakers from over 850 cities, including industry executives, government leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs, will highlight how to move cities towards a better future. They will answer questions like: “Is AI the urban planner of the future?”, “What makes a city liveable in the current hyperconnected context?” and “Is greentech more sustainable for buildings?”. To find out more and register for SCEWC visit: www.smartcityexpo.com Money20/20 USA: where money does business 27-30 October 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Money20/20 USA will bring together executives from organisations across the global money ecosystem including banks, payments providers, technology firms, startups, retailers, fintechs, financial services companies, policymakers and more. Attendees can discover businesscritical insights from an array of cross-sector leaders such as Microsoft, Accenture and Orion Innovation, who will take to the stage to share what’s happening now in the world of money to ensure businesses succeed in the future. They will cover topics including AI’s impact on checkouts, borderless payments, fraud, open banking, and consumer complaints. To find out more and register for Money20/20 visit: bit.ly/4bgQccK Photo: SCEWC Photo: Money 20/20
14 - 18 OCT 2024 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE MON 11 AM - 5 PM TUE - FRI 10 AM - 5 PM Where the visionaries and policy makers meet. Exhibitors 6,700+ Speakers 1,800+ Visitors 187k THE LARGEST TECH & STARTUP EVENT IN THE WORLD Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI ECONOMY #GITEXGLOBAL gitex.com ORGANISED BY Scan the QR code to SECURE YOUR PASS
33 MARKETWATCH: EVENT PREVIEWS DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Community Summit: North America 13-17 October 2024 Texas, USA www.summitna.com ADIPEC 4-7 November 2024 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates www.adipec.com Directions EMEA 6-8 November 2024 Vienna, Austria www.directionsforpartners.com Microsoft Ignite 19-21 November 2024 Chicago, USA ignite.microsoft.com 14-10 October 2024 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates 21-24 October 2024 | Beijing, China GITEX Global: shaping our world with technology SIBOS 2024: connecting the future of finance GITEX Global will showcase the latest technology and innovations in AI, cybersecurity and more when it takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event will span 40 halls and feature conferences, workshops and matched networking, as well as a range of exhibitors including Microsoft and partners such as IBM, Lenovo and Nvidia. Conference headliners include Axel Voss, member of the European Union parliament; Chris Duffey, futurist and head of GenStudio at Adobe; and Mark Sagar, co-founder of Microsoft partner Soul Machines. To find out more and register for GITEX Global visit: www.gitex.com/home Swift will host hundreds of expert speakers and more than 130 exhibitors at its 2024 edition of Sibos in Beijing, China. The conference programme is focused on the theme of ‘connecting the future of finance’ and will feature more than 300 sessions exploring topics such as collaborating to achieve G20 payment goals, fund tokenisation, network interoperability, the trade data revolution and unlocking financial inclusion. There will be more than 130 exhibitors in the main exhibition hall, including global banks and Microsoft partners such as Capgemini, Cleareye.ai, Conpend, Finastra, Infosys and Traydstream. To find out more and register for Sibos 2024 visit: www.sibos.com MetaViewer to attend Community Summit 13-17 October 2024 San Antonio, Texas, USA Metafile Information Systems will exhibit MetaViewer, a document management and accounts payable automation solution, at Community Summit in Texas, USA, from 13-17 October 2024, as part of the Customer Success Initiative. MetaViewer integrates with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems including Microsoft Dynamics 365, helping end users perform everyday tasks with greater proficiency and accuracy. It also adapts to unique business rules and processes. The Metafile team will focus on the power of Dynamics 365 for business continuity at the event on booth 829. Attendees can also hear more from the team at its main session – ‘APocalypse No More: Empowering Microsoft Dynamics ERPs with AP Automation from MetaViewer’ – or its joint session – ‘How to Simplify and Scale Your Business Processes with these 5 ISV Solutions’. Photo: Swift Photo: Gitex
COVER STORY Powering business Microsoft’s Satish Thomas explains how AI is delivering a wealth of benefits for organisations across every industry, and in every region, all with the help of Microsoft’s partner ecosystem BY ALICE CHAMBERS Digital transformation is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a survival imperative in the business world. As industries around the world struggle to keep up with unprecedented technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations, McKinsey & Company likens digital transformation to a complete “rewiring” of an organisation. This isn’t a one-off initiative but a relentless, ongoing journey that reshapes how businesses create value. In fact, as McKinsey highlights, most executives embarking on this path are likely to be navigating its challenges and opportunities for the rest of their careers. “Embracing digital transformation is indeed a journey, and for many organisations, it’s still a work in progress,” says Satish Thomas, corporate vice president of Microsoft Industry Clouds. “The first stage was moving business processes to the cloud, so organisations could get out of the business of managing hardware. The second stage is focused on helping people work on high-value activities, streamline and transform business processes to provide better customer experiences.” Generative artificial intelligence tools, powered by Microsoft Cloud, are delivering this second stage of digital transformation in four ways. “First, generative AI is helping to enhance productivity, giving people the superpower to achieve so much more,” explains Thomas. “Microsoft Copilot can automate routine tasks, allowing employees to focus on more strategic activities. Our Copilot for Store Operations is an example of a template which helps frontline workers be more productive by giving them key operating and employee information through a text- and voice-based conversational interface.” Generative AI is also helping to improve decision-making. For example, American stock exchange marketplace provider Nasdaq is migrating its meeting management solution, Nasdaq Boardvantage, to Azure to leverage Azure OpenAI Service. This will enable it to introduce new AI capabilities to help governance professionals automate routine tasks so that board members can make decisions quickly using accurate insights. “AI-driven insights can help organisations make more informed decisions,” says Thomas. “Microsoft 36 growth
“ Generative AI is helping to enhance productivity, giving people the superpower to achieve so much more” SATISH THOMAS, MICROSOFT 37 Image: iStock/treety
38 COVER STORY Cloud for Sustainability, for example, uses AI to help organisations across several industries understand their carbon footprint and how they can make intelligent decisions to reduce their emissions.” AI-driven generative models are also accelerating innovation. “By leveraging AI, organisations can more quickly develop and test new ideas and solutions,” says Thomas. “Siemens is collaborating with us to develop the Siemens Industrial Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that allows users to rapidly generate, optimise and debug complex automation code, and significantly shorten simulation times.” The jointly developed solution aims to improve human-machine collaboration in manufacturing. Finally, generative AI is driving better customer experiences. “AI is helping personalise interactions and providing faster, more accurate responses to customer enquiries,” says Thomas. “Earlier this year, we introduced a copilot for personalised shopping that retailers can use to help their customers quickly find the right product through conversational Q&A.” Microsoft’s collaboration with car manufacturer Audi is a prime example of using generative AI to enhance customer service. The company has integrated ChatGPT with Azure OpenAI Service to improve its in-car control capabilities in current and future models. From July 2024, drivers of nearly two million Audi models that have been produced since 2021 and equipped with the third-generation modular infotainment system will be able to interact with their car using natural language for a safer and more intelligent driving experience. Partnering for progress Microsoft is enhancing its solutions to empower organisations by refining its solutions with partners to meet the unique business demands, enhance productivity and create seamless customer experiences in every industry. “This is a rapidly evolving space, and you can see ongoing advancements in AI-powered applications, enhanced customisation options, and a focus on small language models that further refine the results delivered by generative AI systems,” says Thomas. “As we work with our customers and gain deeper insight into their specific needs, we are continuously refining our solutions and introducing new capabilities they can leverage in a low-code/no-code way, without requiring extensive development or expertise. “Recently, we launched industry prompts in Copilot Lab and industry templates in Microsoft Copilot Studio. These platforms are designed to meet the unique demands of various businesses, enhancing productivity and fostering creativity by providing not only tools but also a seamless experience that aligns with our customers’ operational workflows. Additionally, we are integrating multi-modal content, real-time intelligence and data analytics to drive even greater value for our customers.” According to Thomas, Microsoft relies on its partner ecosystem to help bring industry expertise for customers. “Partners play a crucial role in extending offerings from Microsoft to customers with their domain expertise,” he says. “We have collaborated with our partners to equip them with the right technologies, including Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and a full suite of development tools they can use to build and extend their applications. For every industry, we engage leading partners and rely on them to cover the last mile for our customers. They are the experts in their domain and bring the innovation needed for our customers.” For example, Microsoft is working with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) to help financial services customers discover and analyse data quickly with Microsoft Fabric. “We are also developing an app with LSEG called Meeting Prep for Financial Services that uses large language models and generative AI to make meeting preparation summaries by combining insights from LSEG’s financial data with news, documents, emails, chats and other relevant content from Microsoft Graph in Microsoft 365,” says Thomas. Additionally, Microsoft is collaborating with Teladoc Health and Epic to improve patient care across the healthcare industry. “Teladoc Health is offering a care management solution by leveraging the Azure data platform and building a copilot on Teams with Azure OpenAI Service,” Photo: iStock/vichie81
39 “ We are continuously refining our solutions and introducing new capabilities” says Thomas. “It is using Azure OpenAI to personalise its weekly newsletters for patients, basing this personalisation on acuity and activity, to improve member health outcomes via increased newsletter engagement. Meanwhile, our continual work with Epic aims to develop and integrate generative AI into healthcare operations. DAX Copilot and Azure OpenAI integrations address challenges for clinicians including drafting message responses automatically, enabling natural language queries and interactive data analysis, and producing clinical summarisation.” Getting ahead Microsoft Cloud is also helping leaders to identify opportunities to proactively meet business imperatives. “There are two specific areas where leaders can benefit from AI,” says Thomas. “First, given the urgency of the planetary crisis, society needs to push harder on the AI accelerator while establishing guardrails that steer the world safely, securely and equitably toward net-zero emissions, climate resilience and a nature-positive future. Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft, recently shared some thoughts on this topic, highlighting how AI can enable people to discern patterns, predict outcomes and optimise performance in systems that are too complex for traditional analytic methods. He also showed how it can accelerate the discovery and development of sustainability solutions such as low-carbon materials, renewable energy production and storage and climate-resilient crops.” While AI’s potential to address the planetary crisis is immense, its implementation must be balanced with a commitment to ethical practices. This brings us to the second crucial area where leaders can benefit from AI: ensuring its responsible use. “The second area is responsible AI,” says Thomas. “AI systems are built to provide a helpful, safe and trustworthy experience for everyone. Responsible use of AI aims to keep people and their goals at the centre of the design process and considers the benefits and potential harms that AI systems can have on society. We have adopted a thoughtful, cross-disciplinary approach with six key principles (fairness, reliability, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability) to our AI work and share this approach with our customers and partners. As we implement and learn from this, we share best practices so that any organisation considering building or using AI can do so in an ethical and responsible manner.” The London Stock Exchange Group is using Microsoft Fabric to help financial services customers analyse data quickly
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