Tuesday, 30 June 2020
Microsoft a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise BI Platforms
In a crowded field of BI solutions providers, how can customers reliably identify an industry leader? By what criteria should they make such a judgment? In this Power BI blog entry, we address both questions by citing and linking to The Forrester Wave report for Q3 2019 that recognizes Microsoft as a leader in enterprise BI platforms, where we receive the highest score in the two categories of strategy and market presence. From the blog, customers can download the full Forrester report and see how Microsoft Power BI stacks up against competing solutions, as well as explore the differentiated features in the current enterprise BI market.
GDPR is here -- are you ready?
With data being the center of everything in the modern digital era, data privacy and security have become a major business and social issue. To address the issues, GDPR has come into effect to require organizations all over the world to make significant changes in how they manage and protect personal data. Download and customize this infographic to give your target audience a view of what GDPR means to organizations, what the regulations include and how Microsoft solutions enable organizations to stay in compliance.
Bringing remote patient care to remote patients with Microsoft Power BI and Azure
How do you deliver expert healthcare to the most remote towns and villages in South Africa, to the people who need it most? Dr. Raymond Campbell, founder of Phulukisa (which means "to heal" in the local language), turned to Microsoft for the answer. His solution: a cloud-enabled backpack that field doctors can take into remote areas across South Africa and use to screen patients for common diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, diabetes, and heart disease. The data is then collected and uploaded to MySQL database in Azure, and the results are pushed back into Microsoft Power BI and delivered to doctors on the ground--all within a matter of minutes. Presented by Satya Nadella at the 2019 Inspire event, this short video illustrates how Microsoft solutions are enabling ordinary people with a vision to accomplish extraordinary things--and help save lives in the process.
Customer story: Landgren
Swedish real estate company Landgren has made a name for itself by being ahead of the technological curve and prioritizing innovation. So far, Landgren has capitalized on standing out from the crowd, but here's the catch: The company has no IT department. Using security solutions from Microsoft 365 allows Landgren to comply with strict European data privacy standards, ensuring that the company is protected against data loss and cyberattacks.
SitePro Part 1
SitePro gained a competitive advantage by combining onsite sensors and data collection with online data processing and management using Microsoft Azure. As a result, they were able to provide faster and more effective service to their customers, which in turn strengthened the offerings of their customers. It's a win for everyone.
Monday, 29 June 2020
How to Create Content that Generates Exposure, Loyalty and Sales
Good content strengthens relationships with your customers. "If you hit the right emotional buttons, your content allows people to engage, to trust you and to want to talk with you," writes Cheryl Snapp Conner, CEO of SnappConner PR. Trust and engagement—isn't that what we desire from prospects and current customers?
Some people hesitate to create content because they don't understand the payoff for the investment. A great article will likely include research and several edits, but as Snapp Conner points out, "When it's complete, you can break the 1,000 words into a series of tweets. You can do a short video on the topic. Even better, embed the video into the article. Talk about the theme on a podcast." One piece of content can work hard for you, building trust and creating engagement in multiple arenas.
Read "How to Create Content that Generates Exposure, Loyalty and Sales" for more tips from Snapp Conner, as well as insights from Jeremy Knauff, CEO of Spartan Media. Together they offer fresh perspectives on why your business needs to provide content as part of its marketing campaign.
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Why Your Elevator Pitch Isn't Working
The easy part is remembering what an elevator pitch is: a short, catchy way to describe your business when you don't have time to elaborate details (as in an elevator ride). The difficult part is knowing how to deliver one. This article highlights a few aspects that can go wrong with your elevator pitch, along with solutions to make sure that in your short window of time, you're communicating an intentional message.
For example, author Anna Johansson writes that too often the "bottom line" of a pitch isn't apparent, and though it will vary depending on your audience, it should also be clear what it is: "For investors, it's either profitability or longevity. For clients, it's often a proposed solution to a real problem." As Johansson states, you must know who you're talking with—and adjust your pitch accordingly. Easy to understand, harder to do. She provides good tips on how to create, polish, and tweak a distinctive elevator pitch
Work remotely, stay secure—guidance for CISOs
With many employees suddenly working from home, there are things an organization and employees can do to help remain productive without increasing cybersecurity risk.
Protecting the modern workplace
This video presents how Microsoft 365 delivers best-in-class productivity apps along with intelligent cloud services that help nonprofit organizations address today's security challenges and proactively protect network devices against persistent threats. For more information, contact us today.
Data-Minded Or Data-Blinded?
Collaboration and networks are about people not data. In this Forbes article, the CEO of Brainpool.ai, a worldwide network of AI and Machine Learning experts, explores opportunities and concerns around the use of network data analysis to transform organizations.
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
Risk by the numbers: 15 cybersecurity stats that matter most to your business
77% of businesses report that they would benefit from knowing more about cybersecurity best practices. Check out these cybersecurity stats from Microsoft for more. And contact us to determine the best course of action to protect your business and your customers' sensitive data.
View: Risk by the numbers: 15 cybersecurity stats that matter most to your business
Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud Revenue to Grow 17% in 2020
According to Gartner, Inc., the world's leading research and advisory company, the worldwide public cloud services is forecast to grow 17% in 2020. This is significant projected growth and a good indicator that the cloud is reliable, trustworthy—and necessary.
Have a look at this report, which also forecasts infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to grow 24%--the highest growth rate across all market segments. The report attributes the growth to "the demands of modern applications and workloads, which require infrastructure that traditional data centers cannot meet."
Read the press release and summarized findings here.
Discover and protect sensitive data with Windows Defender ATP and Microsoft Information Protection
Get a high-level understanding of how Windows Defender ATP helps discover, protect and monitor sensitive data on Windows Devices -- an integration that's enabled with just a few simple clicks!
SQL Server 2017
SQL Server 2017 is now available on Linux and Docker! This infographic provides an overview of the SQL Server 2017 features that drive industry-leading performance and security. Check it out for an at-a-glance look at the benefits to your business.
Protect against cybersecurity threats with Microsoft 365
We get it. You're busy. You need to focus on your business and don't have time to be hindered by cybersecurity threats.
Lucky for you, Microsoft 365 Business provides robust security solutions with comprehensive external threat protection and internal data leak prevention. With our Microsoft 365 Business solutions, you can make sure that nothing stands in the way of your company's safety.
Check out this infographic for a quick view of industry trends, pain points, proof points, and more on why you should upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business.
View: Protect against cybersecurity threats with Microsoft 365
Monday, 22 June 2020
Learn how to modernize your apps and data on Azure
Break down the cloud journey with four stages of the process—starting with a pre-migration assessment and then looking at migration, post-migration, and optimization. Microsoft Azure has you covered with tools created specifically for you.
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Learn Azure in a Month of Lunches
Manning publishes high-quality books and videos for technology professionals like you. Use this special discount code to save 40% on all eBooks, pBooks, MEAPs, and liveVideo courses at manning.com--
including Learn Azure in a Month of Lunches. Just enter azuremsft in the Promotional Code box when you check out.
Cybersecurity: A Small Business Guide
You already know that small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks, but what can you do about it? How familiar are you with the common security pitfalls for small businesses, and do you know how to avoid them? Check out this article for an overview of the most common types of cyberattacks. It also details cybersecurity best practices targeted at protecting small businesses against data breaches.
And if you need help protecting your business and customers, we're here for you
Is Your Computer Being Held Hostage? What to Do.
Ransomware attacks happen more than you think. Back up data; keep security up to date and take on those hackers! These are just a few of the tips you'll get when you read this blog by security, privacy and identify theft expert, Robert Siciliano. Advanced threat protection is important, too.
Windows Virtual Desktop Event | Microsoft Azure
This on-demand webinar demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can speed up their move to the cloud with Windows Virtual Desktop and provides best practices to simplify the secure deployment of desktops and applications on Azure. For more information on Microsoft Azure and Windows Virtual Desktop solutions, contact us today.
Why Migrate with Azure?
With Microsoft Azure Migration Program (AMP), customers receive prescriptive guidance for a step-by-step approach for a path to the cloud from start to finish.
The program delivers technical skill building to ensure your organization can successfully adopt Azure; best practices for a step-to-step approach from start to finish; Azure engineering support for data and infrastructure foundations; expert guidance from specialized migration partners; free Azure tools to help you efficiently execute migrations; and cost effective offers to help you save money before, during, and after migration. All of this, available to all Azure customers, scaled through specialized migration partners.
Contact us for more information or assistance in migrating.
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Is Your Email System as Advanced as its Attackers?
New exploits come out faster all the time. Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection helps organizations stay ahead. Download and customize this infographic with your company logo. Then share it with customers and prospects to emphasize the costs and risks of cybercrime and the three ways Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection defends against unknown threats before data is compromised.
Resources for nonprofits during COVID-19
This 30-minute on-demand webinar, delivered by the Microsoft Tech for Social Impact team, addresses all the top questions that customers are asking about working remotely from home during COVID-19. For more information, contact us today.
Microsoft Super Bowl Commercial - Braylon O'Neill
Answering the question, "What is that we can do that is unique; that is impactful," guides the development of everything Microsoft delivers. In this video showing a Super Bowl commercial, discover how Microsoft technology empowers young Braylon O'Neill to do more, achieve more and experience courage in the face of opportunity.
Customer story: Meals on Wheels
For the Meals on Wheels organization in Greenville County, South Carolina, serving and improving the lives of community members is a daily practice. As the nonprofit company grew, so did the need for their services in their community.
Leaders at Meals on Wheels knew they needed a comprehensive technology solution that would protect the data of the people they served. And, as more employees were onboarded and as employees began to increasingly work outside the office, team members needed a way to connect and share ideas from any location. With help from security and productivity tools from Microsoft 365 Business, Meals on Wheels completely transformed company technology solutions. And once employees were given better ways to collaborate, the organization's outreach in the community soared.
Lizo | Digital transformation in the oil & gas industry: seamless scaling and automatic updating
Our final video in the Lizo series shows how a business can push the boundaries of what's possible for a data-driven company. To do this, they needed to be as agile and informed as possible. See how companies can move to Azure to enjoy the freedom and possibilities of the cloud.
Monday, 15 June 2020
The 'Superhero Fallacy' and Other Storytelling Mistakes Marketers Make
Humans love stories. More marketers are utilizing storytelling to connect with consumers, yet they're discovering it's not as easy as it sounds.
Businesses make mistakes with storytelling, and in this article Matthew Luhn, a story-branding consultant and writer of storytelling in the business world, shares his insight with author Kimberly A. Whitler. Luhn says one example of a common error is when companies make a statement rather than tell a story. They write, "We have a great story," but then fail to tell the story. "Having a story," says Luhn, "isn't the same as saying that you are telling a story."
Read The 'Superhero Fallacy' and Other Storytelling Mistakes Marketers Make" to learn about other common faux pas marketers make when using stories to connect with customers.
Thursday, 11 June 2020
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SQL Server 2017 and Azure Data Services offer an industry-leading data platform with built-in security, enhanced performance and data analytics to modernize your business.
Breakthrough teamwork tools: 4 tips to identify what works for you
This eBook is for customers who are ready to achieve even more with their successful teams. Collaboration and easy communication are increasingly important—especially as more people are working from home. In this eBook, you can take a deep dive and read how to use teamwork tools like Microsoft Teams to empower your employees to do even more. Chapters cover communicating without effort, being more productive through better integration, customizing features, and working with confidence.
View: Breakthrough teamwork tools: 4 tips to identify what works for you
Bringing Apps and Start-ups Together
More frequently than ever, consumers are utilizing apps for news, food, information, social networking and more. Of course, the cloud forms the core of the app economy and small to medium businesses need service providers that support their financial needs and requirements.
In his article, "Bringing Apps and Start-ups Together," Prabhakar Jayakumar writes that 90% of all data used over the last two years was created using an optimized data management tool. For digitization to progress, modern app development requires efficient data management and processing. The app must engage users and generate content, "and then process the data generated to garner insights, which can enhance the performance of the app or brand," writes Jayakumar. He adds that this is where cloud service providers can be of great help, in setting up databases to be quick and fail-proof.
In short, Jayakumar sees service providers can help SMBs deploy applications quickly and cost-effectively: "Less coding, limitless scalability, exceedingly fast deployments, and fool-proof security are the pillars of tomorrow's app economy, powered by the cloud."
Read Jayakumar's entire article and contact us for cloud migration support.
Special Olympics turns stars of youth leadership program into constellations with Microsoft Teams
Based in Washington, DC, Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement with over 5 million athletes and 1 million volunteers that supports sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day to empower people with intellectual disabilities. Now, youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities have a richer platform they use to exchange knowledge and bring a wider world of diverse human talent and potential to their communities. Using Microsoft Teams, the organization's youth leaders across the globe collaborate and communicate more effectively, breaking down barriers, sharing their ideas, and driving greater inclusion.
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
10 tips to tackle your remote work day
This "10 tips to tackle your remote work day" eBook presents easy things nonprofit organizations can do to optimize how their teams work and keep connected so they can work effectively. Nonprofits can also learn to use these tips with Microsoft Teams to help them learn how to increase the efficiency of their workspaces, improve collaboration and communication, stay connected when not in the office, and run more effective remote meetings. For more information on Microsoft Teams, contact us today.
Go The Extra Mile - It's Never Crowded
The competition is bubbling with businesses trying to replicate successful products and services. What's not easy to copy is a unique, stand-for-something brand that customers associate with your company. This article shares three fundamental topics to help you navigate toward unique: Does your brand and core value permeate your staff, culture, and communication? Do you have an in-depth understanding of your target market? How is your brand differentiated from competition? Read Andrew MacKenzie's "Go the Extra Mile-It's Never Crowded" for insight on finding your clear differentiator—one that your customers will recognize and appreciate—and then be willing to go the extra mile for them.
Avoid security breaches: How to protect your data
Updating your security measures can be tricky, especially if you don't know where to start. Luckily, securing your sensitive data is easier than you think.
With these tips on how to protect your valuable company data, you can create a customizable plan of attack to ensure that your information is always protected, no matter the size of your business.
10 ways to run effective remote meetings
10 ways to run effective remote meetings is helpful for nonprofit customers who are new to remote meetings or want to improve the ones they already have. This crash course presents simple things teams can do right now to increase efficiency, collaborate effectively, and keep everyone engaged. For information on Microsoft Teams, contact us today.
Empowering remote work with Microsoft Teams
In this infographic, discover suggestions to empower remote employees as they use Teams to embrace online communication, stay focused, share content, and stay connected.
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Distinguish Your Company from Competition
What separates—distinguishes—your company from the rest? You know you need to stand out from other businesses that offer similar products and services. You need a unique factor, because the competition is saturated with like-minded businesses offering similar products and services. What's not easy to copy is a unique brand that customers associate with your business.
Most of us believe we do have a differentiator but that's not what's important, states author Andrew MacKenzie. The key "is whether your customers recognize and care about your differentiator." Read "Go the Extra Mile-It's Never Crowded" for insight on finding your clear differentiator—one that your customers will recognize and appreciate—and then be willing to go the extra mile for them. Want more relevant thought leadership inspiration? Connect with us now!
Quiz: How Secure Are You
Take this 10-question quiz to find out if your company is safe and secure or at risk to become a cybercrime victim.
Ignition Ai makes online advertising more human with Microsoft Azure
Ignition Ai is at the forefront of evolution within data-driven marketing. They integrate the emotion and psychology of shopping with powerful real-time data to predict trends in consumerism. In other words, it analyses what's making today's online shoppers think. In this case study, discover how a fully connected Microsoft Azure ecosystem helps Ignition Ai compete with blazing-fast real-time analytics and built-in security to remain GDPR compliant, drive value and gain peace of mind.
Protect your business with advanced security from Microsoft 365 Business
We get it: running a small business is no small task. We know your customers have no shortage of security concerns, whether it be preventing data loss or ensuring information-rights management.
Good news! Now, with security solutions from Microsoft 365 Business, you can have peace of mind knowing your business is defended against all manner of cyberattacks.
Need help paving the way to a more secure future for your company? Check out this infographic and contact us to learn more about our unique security solutions.
View: Protect your business with advanced security from Microsoft 365 Business
5 Ways to Be More Efficient While Working From Home
This article from Entrepreneur, highlights five ways remote workers can be more efficient at home. Tips to optimize time away from the office include establishing a routine, determining priorities, eliminating distractions, and more.
Monday, 8 June 2020
Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
Check out the ways in which Azure SQL Database Managed Instance is designed to provide you with exactly what your business needs so you can save money without missing a beat.
View: Discover the benefits of modernization and save with Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
Thursday, 4 June 2020
Creating world-class collaboration in a global team
Teams in today's modern workplace are often multi-office or even multi-continent affairs. As a result, team cohesion can challenge the best managers. In this Forbes article, "Creating world-class collaboration in a global team," learn how Kim DeLine, the COO for Elevate K-12, engages a distributed workforce in her role at the leading live streaming company in the education field.
With Microsoft Teams, you can connect across geographical and organization boundaries, run status updates and team building with remote workers via a cloud-based meeting solution, and foster a culture of knowledge sharing.
See how important it is to explain the "why" with a multi-cultural office and encourage an understanding of purpose during times of change.
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Small and Mid-Size Businesses Need to Focus on Cybersecurity
Contrary to popular opinion, small and mid-size businesses are at a greater risk for a cybersecurity attack than large corporations. But because many SMBs assume they're not at risk, they rarely invest in security measures that could save their businesses. Read this article for more on the real impact of a data breach on SMBs and what you can do to protect your business.
Accelerate your nonprofit's mission with Teams
The "Accelerate your nonprofit's mission with Teams" webinar shows how nonprofit organizations can digitally transform to improve operations and efficiencies with secure, private, and compliant communication tools. Teams provides nonprofits with a valuable tool to achieve their mission by driving innovation and staff productivity when technology resources are limited. To accelerate your organization with Teams, contact us today.
Instructor-led training and videos for users
This free, 10-session "Instructor-led training for Microsoft Teams" series will teach your nonprofit customers how to roll out and manage Microsoft Teams across their organization. With a wide range of topics, there's something for everyone, and attendees can get their questions answered interacting with live instructors. To learn how to manage Microsoft Teams for your organization, contact us today.
Crash Course in Microsoft Teams
The "Crash Course in Microsoft Teams" eBook helps nonprofit customers discover how to quickly start using Microsoft Teams to communicate instantly with chat, online meetings, calls, and more. The eBook also explains how to set up meetings with file sharing, recording, and transcription; co-edit documents in real time; and collaborate with people inside and outside the organization. For more information on Microsoft Teams, contact us today.
Chief Data Officers Struggle To Make A Business Impact
Data continues to proliferate. Digital transformation initiatives are driving intensified competition. In this thought leadership article, an experienced strategy consultant suggests harnessing the full power of data is the key to driving successful transformation. More than a one-shot effort, data-driven transformation is a long and sustained journey which requires commitment, steadfastness and adaptability. A Microsoft partner and Azure solutions provider, Liquid Telecom delivers the cloud, security and AI technology needed to build and sustain an effective, agile data estate.
Tuesday, 2 June 2020
You Can Create Free Screen Recordings in Your Browser with Microsoft Stream
Did you know you can create videos from a computer screen--no matter the device? Microsoft Stream lets you easily create, edit and animate videos and then share with certain people; for example, classrooms or districts.
In this bite-sized video, learn tips and tricks on using Microsoft Steam. Watch to learn how to record, edit, and trim video, and also easily add animation.
Your customers can comment, like, and re-share on their social media.
Lizo | Digital transformation in the oil & gas industry: improving on-site safety
Safety is a priority for companies, especially those working in industries where a few seconds can mean a significant deficit for thousands of customers.
This time we show how companies such as Lizo partner their apps with Microsoft Azure for instant status updates of facilities and equipment that are vital for site operators to maintain safety around the globe. Their customers funnel real-time data from multiple sources into a single platform. Their facility oversight is improved, their operations are more efficient, and the workplace safety is right where it should be—at the top.
Watch this video to see how other data-driven companies could partner with Microsoft Azure to offer cloud-based software solutions to customers who need real-time response.
Lizo | Digital transformation in the oil & gas industry: improving on-site safety
Safety is a priority for companies, especially those working in industries where a few seconds can mean a significant deficit for thousands of customers.
This time we show how companies such as Lizo partner their apps with Microsoft Azure for instant status updates of facilities and equipment that are vital for site operators to maintain safety around the globe. Their customers funnel real-time data from multiple sources into a single platform. Their facility oversight is improved, their operations are more efficient, and the workplace safety is right where it should be—at the top.
Watch this video to see how other data-driven companies could partner with Microsoft Azure to offer cloud-based software solutions to customers who need real-time response.
A day in the life - sales with Microsoft Teams
April, a sales rep, is looking to grow her company's Midwest customer base. See how she starts her day finding a lead in Microsoft Teams and then uses Dynamics and Power BI to dig out connections that turn that lead into an opportunity. By 5pm she now has a new resource to amp up more sales opportunities in the region.
Check out this infographic to see what deal building looks like with Microsoft Teams!
Customer story: iSalon
For UK-based business iSalon, protecting sensitive customer data is their top priority. iSalon provides software and management systems to over 2,000 hair salons, and most of their customers are small business owners who have poured their life savings into their companies.
iSalon depends on security technology from Microsoft 365 Business to defend against information loss and cyberattacks like malware and malicious URLs. And with employees scattered across the UK, collaboration and productivity tools keep employees connected and engaged.
Run effective meetings with Microsoft Teams
This video is a virtual class on running meetings with Microsoft Teams, led by a Microsoft training specialist. In this class, you'll learn how to schedule and manage Teams meetings end-to-end. You'll see how to access meetings and content easily and assess which devices will work best. The video also covers how to use Teams before, during, and after your meeting to create the best experience for your remote team.
Monday, 1 June 2020
Stop Marketing to Millennials or Gen-Z and Start Marketing to Tribes
This year, "Gen-Z are set to overtake Millennials as the biggest generation globally," writes Kian Bakhtiari of CMO network. He adds, however, that we shouldn't think of young people as a marketing segment, because they're not: "The digital age has enabled the creation of modern tribes, united by a shared mindset, rather than age or location."
Demographic information alone is no longer as important. Add in different behaviors, attitudes and needs of young people, along with the fact that they are often "invisible" and populate social media platforms—and you have a more complicated yet authentic way of understanding your customer base. The fact that Bakhtiari's byline in Forbes magazine states he writes about marketing through a "Millennial and Gen-Z lens" is proof of his message. Read his entire article, "Stop Marketing to Millennials or Gen-Z and Start Marketing to Tribes" to better understand this mindset shift.
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