Wednesday, November 27, 2019

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.

View: Subscribe today. Be future-ready tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Never miss an opportunity by never missing a post. Subscribe now!

From communicating and collaborating with others to simply getting day-to-day tasks completed on your own, there's no greater tool for productivity than Microsoft Teams. And with Teams as the hub for communication within Office 365, your organization can move closer to realizing the promise of the digital workplace. Subscribe now to stay informed on how Teams, Office 365, and other leading Microsoft solutions can help elevate and transform communication, collaboration, and teamwork throughout your organization.

View: Never miss an opportunity by never missing a post. Subscribe now!

Spend a day in the life with retail store manager Alex

Alex is a retail store manager whose day is divided among attending meetings, reviewing store performance metrics, coordinating product refreshes, preparing presentations, and interviewing prospective employees. With so many tasks to do and only a finite number of hours in the day, Alex relies heavily on Microsoft Teams to get everything done--from recruiting and training staff to collaborating with vendors and developing marketing campaigns. View the infographic for a play-by-play account of Alex's day and how Teams enables him to get things done quickly and efficiently.

View: Spend a day in the life with retail store manager Alex

Is Your Technology at Risk?

Conceptual graphic on cybersecurity risk.

Unblocking Workplace Collaboration: 5 Tools and Strategies

Did you know that up to 80% of workers' time is spent on collaborative activities like responding to emails and attending meetings? This guide to promoting a more collaborative workplace culture outlines common communication breakdowns in the modern workplace and provides strategies to help customers communicate and collaborate more effectively.

View: Unblocking Workplace Collaboration: 5 Tools and Strategies

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.

Monday, November 25, 2019

How HPE's Silicon Root of Trust Powers Server Security

This 5-minute video provides an overview of the capabilities that make HPE servers the most secure in the industry with a focus on the Silicon Root of Trust and how it was developed.

Help customers bring teams and resources together with Microsoft technology

Digital teamwork tools are changing the way teams do business: Today, more than 30% of businesses use advanced communication tools in conference rooms. With Teamwork solutions from Microsoft, you can facilitate better communication among your teams by using cloud-based email technology and calendaring services. You can also ensure that your teams are aligned with web conferencing and group chat. And that's just the beginning. Contact us to see how your company can benefit from our enterprise-grade communication technology.

View: Help customers bring teams and resources together with Microsoft technology

How NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports uses Microsoft Teams to win races

Unlike any other competition, NASCAR is a sport where just one second of time can mean the difference between first place and a distant tenth. As such, racing teams like Hendrick Motorsports are always searching for ways to squeeze out another fraction of a second in performance. When NASCAR changed its rules to open up access to different data streams from each car--such as speed, brake level, and throttle position, coupled with GPS location--Hendrick needed a solution for generating actionable insights from this real-time telemetry information, and for sharing this information in real time with various stakeholders. To achieve this high-speed collaboration, Hendrick turned to Microsoft Teams for its efficient communication capabilities accessible in a single, convenient location, and for the solution's enterprise-grade, end-to-end security. Watch the video to see how Hendrick Motorsports is using Microsoft Teams to translate real-time racing telemetry into lightning-fast decisions and faster race car performance.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Small Business Security Breaches

58% of all security breaches in 2018 took place at small businesses.

Five Benefits And Three Challenges Technology Can Bring To Global Companies

By now, you know that technology brings numerous advances in communication for your teams, but are you familiar with the most specific benefits teamwork technology has to offer? This article asserts that communication technology translates to faster communication, enhanced efficiency, and profit boosts for your employees, all essential components to connecting your teams and resources. Check out this article to learn more.

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Tuesday, November 19, 2019

6 ways you're getting teamwork wrong

All it takes to put together a winning team is finding the most talented people possible, assigning them to the same project, telling them the requirements and deadline, and then letting them run wild...right? Not so, says Sharon Florentine--in fact, far from it. In her article for CIO magazine entitled "6 ways you're getting teamwork wrong," Ms. Florentine draws a clear distinction between assumption and reality when it comes to teamwork, outlining what it really takes to assemble a truly superb group for getting the job done. Check out the full article before you put together your next mission-critical team.

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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.

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Customer Story: Clifton Coffee | Bring Teams Together

Before switching to Teamwork solutions from Microsoft, employees at Clifton Coffee Roasters (CCR) would physically print out all documents, fill them out by hand, and then bring them into the office, where they would get scanned and entered into a computer. Sounds tedious, right? Powered by Microsoft, CCR team members communicate better than ever. Now, their team members stay connected from almost anywhere in the world they are individually located. With flexible communication tools like Forms, employees can contribute and work together on shared documents from personal devices. No printing or scanning required. Check out this video to learn how CCR connected their teams and resources with help from Microsoft solutions. And contact us to learn how you can too.

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.

View: Prioritize culture during digital transformation

Spend a day in the life with financial pro Adira

Adira is a senior project manager at a bank who works seamlessly between her laptop at the office and her tablet at home, relying on Microsoft Teams, OneNote within Teams, and Power BI dashboards to collaborate and share with team members. View this infographic to follow Adira through a typical day and to see how Teams enables her to get through her day productively and efficiently.

View: Spend a day in the life with financial pro Adira

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Your digital transformation journey starts here. Subscribe now.

Where is your organization in its digital transformation journey--or are you still uncertain where and how to begin? Subscribe now to stay informed on how Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Teams can help jump start digital transformation for your business by centralizing communications, enhancing collaboration, and streamlining processes and workflow--ultimately boosting your productivity and increasing your competitiveness.

View: Your digital transformation journey starts here. Subscribe now.

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.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Put your finger--and business--on the pulse of the modern workplace. Subscribe today and never miss a beat.

With today's increasingly global business environment comes the need for increasingly global collaboration tools. Microsoft 365, with Teams at the heart of communications, provides the tools and capabilities today's organizations and businesses need to not only collaborate with colleagues and peers across the world, but equally important, to also take that first critical step toward transforming their traditional workspaces into modern digital workplaces. Subscribe now to stay informed on how Teams at the center of Microsoft 365 can help elevate and transform communication, collaboration, and teamwork throughout your entire organization.

View: Put your finger--and business--on the pulse of the modern workplace. Subscribe today and never miss a beat.

Crash course in Office 365: How it can help you grow your business

Your customers are probably already taking advantage of Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. But do they know that Office 365 gives them the capability to access content from any device, or allows them to leverage the power of AI to create more impactful content? Check out this guide for more on how Office 365 can help your customers protect their sensitive data and accomplish more in their workday.

View: Crash course in Office 365: How it can help you grow your business

Create a connected guest experience with Microsoft technology

Employees who work with outside companies save time and money. With Teamwork solutions from Microsoft, they can easily share workspace, which results in $759,493 saved over three years. That's huge! Now, you can deliver a cost-effective solution that will allow you to easily work with teams outside of your company. And, you can secure and preserve company data when sharing information with external users. Check out this infographic--which shows industry trends, pain points, and proof points--to learn more.

View: Create a connected guest experience with Microsoft technology

HPE Extends Its Cybersecurity Capabilities and Earns Two Cyber Catalyst Designations

This blog article on Forbes talks about how HPE is extending its cybersecurity capabilities and how those moves have helped earn two Cyber Catalyst designations. The article goes into what the Cyber Catalyst designations are and why they matter for IT security as a whole.

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Digital transformation helps REGINA MARIA deliver better customer care and healthier business processes

REGINA MARIA is the leading provider of private healthcare services in Romania, with three internationally accredited hospitals, 45 of its own clinics, 5,500 employees, and an extensive partner network comprising almost 300 other institutions. The organization is already far along the path toward digital transformation and prides itself on being the most digital healthcare company in Romania, but it's always looking for ways to further expand its digital capabilities and utilize technology to help its patients as well as its business. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales and Microsoft Teams provided just such an opportunity--including a new virtual assistant in Teams named "Ana" that has helped reduce approval processes for managers from days and weeks down to hours and minutes. Watch this video to learn how key Microsoft technologies have enabled REGINA MARIA to not only greatly improve customer experiences, but also vastly improve business processes, resulting in 20 percent better database accuracy and 50 percent faster complaint resolution.

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Monday, November 11, 2019

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.

Microsoft Teams delivers healthy, real-time global collaboration for Heart Research Institute (HRI) in Australia

Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death, a statistic that Australia-based Heart Research Institute (HRI) is working diligently to change. Dedicated to saving lives and minimizing the impact of heart-related illnesses on patients globally, HRI is involved with over 150 international research projects each year which require frequent collaboration with other researchers from around the world--a necessity often hampered in the past by the institute's outdated, unsecure, and largely underused collaboration tools. All that changed when Microsoft partner Dimension Data deployed Microsoft 365 across HRI, with Teams at the heart of the organization's communications. With Microsoft 365 and Teams, HRI can now compare results, share data, and collaborate on documents in real time with researchers in different countries and hemispheres, representing a critical first step for HRI toward realizing the promise of the modern workplace. Watch and share this short video to learn how Microsoft 365 and Teams are enabling cutting-edge communication for a cutting-edge research facility.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Managing Remote Employees? Spot This Problem and Improve Productivity

While this article focuses on creating successful business relationships among teams that work remotely, at its core it's about how to drive meaningful communication among team members. Building and maintaining good relationships is the backbone of any successful company. When employees feel comfortable while engaging in constructive discourse and have personal rapport conducive to exchanging ideas and working toward a common goal, workplace productivity and profit feel the impact. Want to encourage your teams to do their best work? Check out this article for more on how you can help your customers foster better communication in their teams.

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The 5 Habits Of Successful Sales Leaders

If you distilled the best practice for sales leaders, what would it look like? Kevin Kruse, CEO of LEADx has complied his 5 top habits for sales managers to foster a top sales team. Learn how he sees your role as coach, how to give feedback and more! Next, use Dynamics 365 to optimize your team's productivity by automating routine tasks and embedding familiar tools such as LinkedIn, Outlook, Excel etc. right into your sales process. Couldn't be easier! Great sales managers develop 5 habits to engage their team members.

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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

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.

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5 Ways to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in Your Employees

Scott Duffy, entrepreneur and author of the book "Breakthrough," let us in on how to foster creative teamwork by breaking your staff out of the office mindset. In this Entrepreneur Magazine article, he shares tips to help you build experimentation in your team and create comfort around risk. Read on to learn how to foster inspiration and innovation!

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Customer Story: Clifton Coffee | Connect and Collaborate

Clifton Coffee Roasters (CCR) was the first specialty coffee roaster to adopt the Teamwork solutions from Microsoft platform, which means they're breaking new ground in communications methods for their industry. As the company expands, they depend on Teamwork solutions from Microsoft to manage their growth, drive innovation, and help their employees connect in the most meaningful and productive ways possible. Want to increase productivity and drive innovation in your business? Check out this video to see how CCR lead the way in communications innovation in their industry, and then contact us to learn more.

HPE InfoSight: Artificial Intelligence for Your Hybrid Cloud World

This brochure provides an overview of HPE InfoSight and the benefits of machine learning, predictive support automation and AI-driven management.

View: HPE InfoSight: Artificial Intelligence for Your Hybrid Cloud World

Transform interactions with Microsoft Dynamics 365!

Real time insights and embedded intelligence transform your customer interactions. Understand the impact of the buyer's journey. Target the right audience with dynamic segmentation. Bring together insights from multiple channels to give you unmatched advantage! Transform your selling with Microsoft Dynamics 365!

View: Transform interactions with Microsoft Dynamics 365!

Monday, November 4, 2019

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.

View: 5 reasons to choose Microsoft Power BI over Tableau

Day in the life - IT project manager

Join Jamal, IT project manager, as he navigates his day with the help of Microsoft Teams. With the mobile app, he joins the daily stand up meeting and reviews the daily activity feed. He reviews status and trends in the dashboard and tasks by owner in the planner. With the cloud-based meeting app. he can review past meetings and he tracks finances in another tab. Check out how Microsoft Teams makes his planning so much smoother with a secure location that brings together everything teams needs to be productive.

View: Day in the life - IT project manager