[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n
Microsoft Inspire is their annual showcase business event for their IT partners like Kinetics. We\u2019ve been attending this conference in the US for many years. Normally we\u2019d be in the US this week to learn, share, network and grow with new ideas, new inspiration and new and better ways of solving our client\u2019s challenges with the latest IT solutions.<\/p>\n
This year is a bit different though.<\/strong> We\u2019re not on site at a conference, but at our desks dialling using technology to solve our shared challenge of not being able to travel. As we\u2019ve all experienced over the last year or more, digital is a great saviour, but it\u2019s not the same as being there. While I don\u2019t miss the jetlag, I do miss getting away into an environment that is focused on the event, and away from the everyday distractions of being in the office. Most of all, I miss the casual conversations with other attendees that help us learn and think about what we are seeing.<\/p>\n So, a few quick highlights from day 1:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||”]<\/p>\n Windows 365<\/strong> \u2013 in some ways this is an evolution of remote desktop that we\u2019ve been using to share traditional software applications remotely from remote servers.<\/p>\n Under Windows 365, we can set up and move applications to cloud based servers, set up the remote desktop from the cloud, and then access it on demand from anywhere on any device \u2013 for example Windows on your iPad. I particularly like the way you can move from one device to another and have each device pick up exactly where you left off. The only question is how these virtual windows sessions interact with some of the peripherals of hardware differences of the device you are using at the time.<\/p>\n Azure keeps developing new products. We\u2019ve been using Azure Lighthouse<\/strong> recently as a solution for helping us manage our client\u2019s Azure implementations to help keep them secure, reliable and minimise costs. Now we have something called Azure Arc<\/strong> to help us extend Azure across more platforms in the hybrid cloud, from on-premise, third party or Microsoft\u2019s own data centres. I was really interested in Azure Synapse<\/strong> as a new database evolution that reimagines how we can store, connect and present data, especially applying AI to gain insights into the trends that might not otherwise have appreciated.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n \u00a0The online nature of our Covid-world has driven big advances in tools like Teams.<\/strong> I didn\u2019t appreciate that there had been over 300 major enhancements in the last year, even though we\u2019ve highlighted many of these changes as they have become available. Its worth reminding readers of Presenter mode, and the ability to include collaborative digital whiteboards, shared presentations, new theatre modes and so on.<\/p>\nPhrase of the day \u201cCompressed Transformation\u201d That really resonates!<\/h3>\n