When we are not entirely on the heels of a global pandemic, digital transformation plays a massive role in pushing society forward when it seems like we are continuously taking ten steps back.
New technologies and capabilities have kept many businesses afloat during a time where the probability of sinking is sky-high. Microsoft has not let change slow them down; rather, they have used this opportunity to reinvent their strategy and continue to provide customers with innovative solutions.
Here we share a few of Microsoft’s new releases for Summer 2020, so we may continue to blaze the trail of transformation together.
The Newest Updates and Releases from Microsoft
Cutting-edge innovation is nothing new to Microsoft and its partners. For decades, the tech powerhouse has provided individual users and enterprises with robust solutions that address everyday troubles to complex business challenges. Amidst a pandemic, Microsoft and its dedicated partners are at the front lines building potent solutions for the healthcare industry, supporting families and education, and enabling smooth transitions to a remote office.
As we move into Summer 2020, immersed in unprecedented circumstances, Microsoft continues to push innovation to support an ever-evolving environment.
Microsoft Teams Now Supports Video Calling
The Microsoft Teams mobile app is getting a few new consumer-focused features. As of June 22, 2020, the Teams mobile app can support video calling on Android and iOS as well as document sharing, location sharing, and personal task management. These features may not be new to those who use the platform’s enterprise version, but the core features are now available to individual users.
The new updates to the Android and iOS versions of the Teams mobile app enhance communication between friends, families, co-workers, and loved ones via video, text messages, and chat. In addition to improved communication, individual users can collaborate on Office-365-powered documents, share physical location, and organize your life through sharing to-do lists and calendars via the mobile app.
Project Cortex
This year, Microsoft shared Project Cortex with the public, stating that it would be released in the first half of 2020. It is on track to be released sometime this summer. Project Cortex is an individualized knowledge network in Microsoft 365. It aims to empower people with knowledge and expertise in the apps you use every day.
Project Cortex applies artificial intelligence (AI) to organize your content, delivering unique and innovative experiences automatically. It will enable users to manage information and streamline processes with advanced security, compliance, and automated workflow. The automation creates topic cards, topic pages, and knowledge centers in Office, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams to enhance organization and interagency communication.
A New Approach to Retail
The novel coronavirus pandemic has forever changed the way we do business. Companies feel the impact, no matter their size. They have been pushed to change the way they interact as a team and with their customers.
The situation is no different for Microsoft.
On June 26, 2020, Microsoft announced a strategic change in its retail operations. The switch includes closing Microsoft Store physical locations. The company’s retail team members will continue to support customers from corporate facilities and remotely providing sales, training, and support.
Since the onset of mandated store closings in March 2020 due to COVID-19, retail teams have helped small businesses and education customers through digital transformation. Additionally, Microsoft sales have grown online as their product portfolio transitions to mostly digital offerings, illustrating the ability to adapt when necessary.
Microsoft’s Dynamics 365, Power Platform 2020 Release Wave 2
On July 08, 2020, Microsoft released the new plans for the second wave of upcoming capabilities for Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. The new capabilities will be able for early access by August 03. 2020, allowing users to try features before they are automatically enabled. The features will be generally available through regional deployment beginning October 02, 2020.
The Microsoft Power Platform enables users and organizations to analyze, act, and automate the data to transform their business digitally. The new features include updates to the Power BI Desktop platform, significant improvements for Power Apps developers, enhanced automation capabilities with Power Automate, deep expansion and integration within Power Virtual Agents, and more substantial data integration capabilities.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a collection of business applications that help you run every facet of your business while leveraging predictive, AI-driven insights. The release of wave two updates include features such as an improvement of the customer journey canvas in Marketing, simplified experiences in Sales, and an expansion of agent productivity capabilities in Service. Additionally, there will be an increased focus on automating everyday tasks to reduce the number of manual processes in Finance and Operations. Plus, many more upgrades across the plethora of Dynamics applications.
Reach out to your Microsoft partner with any questions or concerns about how the new updates may affect your current and future systems and solutions.
