Microsoft Inspire, the event once known as the "Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference" is an unforgettable experience that takes place every year, to provide partners of the Microsoft Corporation with an insight into the latest software, hardware, and services available from Microsoft. Inspire gives partners a chance to see the roadmap of the innovative organisation first-hand and share their best practice advice with other Microsoft sellers.
Following this year's Inspire event, we spoke to Tim Field, the Country Manager for PeterConnects. He was on-hand to tell us all about what he learned at Microsoft Inspire, and the predictions he has made about the years ahead based on the company's impressive portfolio.
Tell Us About Your Microsoft Inspire Experience?
PeterConnects is a software company that develops state-of-the-art solutions closely connected to the Microsoft Portfolio. This unique company offers a product family that spans over Attendant Console & Service Desk solutions, Context manager services, and directory features.
Tim told me that he attended Microsoft Inspire this year with an "exhibitor pass" which meant that he had a booth through which he and his team could demonstrate the portfolio and software that they were bringing to the market in the months ahead. PeterConnects had numerous people at the Inspire event, including their CEO. "As a partner, we were privileged to have a booth there, as we already work very closely with Microsoft."
Tim gave me a call soon after his return from Inspire to tell me all about the main themes he had seen at the conference.
Discussing Digital Journey Transformation
One of the first topics that Tim brought up was the concept of digital transformation (DX) and cultural transformation in the business environment. Companies are now moving into the next stage of performance at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the expansive nature of the cloud. Tim told me that digital transformation is "reducing costs to businesses, optimising their performance, and helping them to succeed as they move into the future. The cloud means that companies can find their footing in a digital environment, discover new productivity, and succeed in the world of technology."
According to Tim, a big theme at Microsoft Inspire was how Partners could help companies move into the cloud and digital transformation.
"Being able to digitalise fully was a big conversation, as well as how brands could tap into things like Microsoft Dynamics. It will be interesting to see what the statistics are like for digital transformation next year. This year, Microsoft showed a 300-400% increase in uptake over the last 12 months."
The Value of Security
Security was another big topic according to Tim. As cyber weapons enter the Arms race, Microsoft is promoting a greater level of safety and protection for the global digital environment. Tim noted that the rise of security concerns in the marketplace is a big opportunity for partners, but also a common concern.
"People are still nervous about using AI, and how that will affect security. I felt a little more at peace at Microsoft Inspire when I learned that Microsoft was leading the way towards better security from an AI perspective. They discussed how they're going to be pushing developers to take a sort of Hippocratic oath with AI in the future, to make sure that whatever they create is safe."
It's an interesting concept to think that Microsoft will be pushing developers to take oaths around software. However, as we continue to see more of what AI is capable of, this step could also help to put some customers at ease.
AI and Mixed Reality: The Vision of the Future
Microsoft clearly has an outstanding vision of the future. Tim noted that the company was discussing in Inspire the concept of business meetings where people can project themselves into meeting rooms around the world. AI is a thread that seemed to appear in everything at Inspire, thanks to a stronger focus on things like HoloLens and HoloBeam technology.
