Microsoft Inspire 2017 was held in Washington, D.C. this year. This is an annual conference bringing together Microsoft Partners from around the globe. 
When I say “around the globe,” we’re talking large groups from Singapore with matching jackets, and likewise from other countries like Sweden, Italy, and the U.K. It’s truly the Olympics of the Microsoft Partner Community to help Microsoft kick off their new fiscal year.
What we learn over the course of this four-day conference helps everyone in the Microsoft Partner Community set their agendas for the coming year. We learn Microsoft’s agenda, their focus, and it helps create alignment and synergy for a mutually successful year for all.
This year’s insights from Microsoft should not come as a surprise to anyone who paid attention to the investments in the cloud over the past couple of years. Microsoft is doubling down, yet again, on their cloud strategy and developing innovations in their products and beyond that stem around four key pillars:
- Modern Workplaces
- Business Applications
- Applications & Infrastructure
- Data and Artificial Intelligence
What this translates to is alignment of the world of Microsoft products, services, and applications centered around creating a comprehensive solution to improve employee empowerment, help customers engage with their customers, optimize operations, and transform products.
Another key theme to this year’s conference was simplicity. Simplicity in the products and applications your users use from Microsoft, how you engagement with Microsoft, and quite simply how work should be in order to get more done and be more effective at our jobs. This is a tall order for Microsoft, where you need a special advanced degree in order to understand their licensing models.
Nonetheless, they are taking their first step in simplicity and creating a package offering called Microsoft 365 that bundles the best of Microsoft for Business and Enterprise. Microsoft 365 will contain the best of Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS). As you can see, it’s the knowledge workers’ desktop, bundled into a simple licensing model.
So what does this all mean to the average consumer? Quite simply, if you haven’t considered the cloud, it’s time to consider it. If you’re looking to move to Office 365, this is a great year to do it. If you’re wondering how these new approaches will affect your licensing with Microsoft, contact your sales representative, or reach out to a partner like us to set the conversations in motion.
We’ll be continuing this dialog throughout the year and will be reporting on the latest on details that emerge from these announcements.
Learn more about Office 365 licensing and how to approach your move to the cloud.
Schedule a consultation online or give our consultants a call at 240.406.9960.
