Microsoft to introduce new innovations at October 12 event

Microsoft to introduce new innovations at October 12 event

Microsoft will host an event on October 12 2022 at 2 pm GMT, 5 pm EAT and make some announcements. The company put out a “save the date” invite with the details “Watch live to see what’s next [at] 10 am ET on October 12, 2022″. The invite poster doesn’t give many details save for the Windows 11 blossom image splashed with different colours.

In past October events, the company showcased new hardware as well as announced Windows features and updates. I’m not expecting this format to change even though Microsoft could mix things up. It also appears it might be online only as Microsoft hasn’t fully resumed in-person events.

Microsoft event October 12, 2022, details with Windows 11 blossom image with save the date

A few days ago Panos Panay, Microsoft EVP, Chief Product Officer, Windows and Devices announced the Windows 11 2022 Update, noting an “additional set of experiences coming in October“. This event will give the company a good opportunity to demonstrate some features to consumers. Additionally, there have been rumours and leaks of the next generation of Microsoft Surface devices.

The guys over at Windows Central expect to see a new Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop, and Surface Studio that combines both Intel and ARM and new colour configurations. Could we see a new dual-screen product category news, Surface Duo 3? Well, anything is possible since Panos has in the past been able to keep things tight-lipped.

We will bring you all the updates from the event, so be sure to check back. Let’s know what you think. What are you looking forward to seeing or hearing about at the Microsoft event on October 12?

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Iristick brings remote assistance and collaboration to its smart glasses with Microsoft Teams

Iristick brings remote assistance and collaboration to its smart glasses with Microsoft Teams

Iristick is announcing the launch of Microsoft Teams video conferencing solution on their Iristick.H1 and Iristick.G2 PRO smart glasses. Fully optimized for use with voice commands, see-what-I-see function, screen, and file-sharing capabilities. Providing a completely hands-free option for remote assistance and collaboration.

Iristick Microsoft Teams on Iristick remote video conferencing assistance

The ‘Microsoft Teams on Iristick’ solution allows users to start a call or share files without having to use their hands. During a call, they can livestream, take and share pictures, control the camera view and zoom in for details using voice commands. This way, the solution offers hands-free information exchange, remote assistance and troubleshooting options. The result: better diagnosis of maintenance issues, faster and improved technical assistance, reduced downtime and costs.

Extended Reality and smart glasses are an undeniable part of Industry 4.0, the smart factories of tomorrow and digital health. Leveraging these technologies and their remote assistance solutions will help companies gain competitive advantages and provide them with a better chance to position themselves at the forefront of their respective industries. With Microsoft Azure we significantly simplify the integration of intelligent technology at scale and reduce the time to market for companies like Iristick.” said Joris Aeles, Azure Business Group Lead, Microsoft.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a significant, 44% increase in the number of professionals using collaboration tools1,” said Johan De Geyter, CEO at Iristick. ”Iristick supports this increased demand by launching a widely used videoconferencing solution on our smart glasses. ‘Microsoft Teams on Iristick’ is an application that connects frontline professionals in every industry to empower them in a digitized future.

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Microsoft launches new office for ADC software engineers in Kenya

Microsoft launches new office for ADC software engineers in Kenya

Microsoft is officially launching the new home of its software engineers in Kenya. The Africa Development Centre (ADC East Africa) engineering team will now be based at Dunhill Towers, along Waiyaki Way, Nairobi. Having previously shared Microsoft’s office at the Oval. The ultra-modern office facility will co-locate with Microsoft’s newly launched The Garage, design, research, and innovation teams.

software engineers in Kenya microsoft adc nairobi kenya lagos nigeria

The ultra-modern ADC East Africa office space borrows heavily from Microsoft’s modern workplace design. Featuring solutions that reduce or prevent the emission of carbon into the atmosphere to meet the company’s target of becoming net carbon negative by 2030. The facility will use self-heating windows, a mini solar plant, and a water treatment facility to recycle and purify water. The eco-friendly office also optimizes space utilization, air conditioning, and lighting adjustments.

software engineers in Kenya Microsoft ADC

Kenya president, Uhuru Kenyatta was present at the event to unveil the plaque and officially launch the office facility. Other guests present include Joe Mucheru, the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs. As well as Joy Chik, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Identity Division and Executive Sponsor of the Africa Development Center.

The facility will continue Microsoft’s efforts to train, equip and hire software engineers in Kenya and Africa. To contribute to the development of Microsoft products that are in use by over 1 billion devices, says ADC East Africa MD Jack Ngare.

Africa is such a young continent and Microsoft absolutely believes the future is here, notes Joy Chick, at the event. We invite all the young innovative entrepreneurs to help us collectively build technology for Africa, but more importantly for the world. This is just the beginning. We are excited about the opening of the ADC and what the future can bring, she adds.

Launched in May 2019, Microsoft says the Africa Development Center currently has about 570 full-time employees across both sites. In Nairobi, it has about 450 employees with plans to add another 50 before the year ends. Surpassing the company’s initial plan to hire 500 software engineers by the end of 2023. This number reflects roles across software engineering, machine learning, data science, market research, infrastructure, etc.

Microsoft has also unveiled the new office facility for the ADC West Africa site, located in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

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Image: Bonnie Ocholla

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Telefónica Tech acquires Microsoft partner Incremental for up to £175 million

Telefónica Tech acquires Microsoft partner Incremental for up to £175 million

Telefónica Tech is announcing the acquisition of Microsoft Inner Circle partner, Incremental, for up to £175 million including potential contingent payments linked to its future performance. To become the number one cloud transformation partner for its customers. Thereby delivering next-generation modern workplace experiences, trusted enterprise security services to protect apps in a data and hybrid cloud world.

The acquisition increases Telefónica Tech’s scale and competencies in Microsoft technologies with 16 Gold Competencies and 5 Advanced Specialisations. Making it one of Microsoft’s largest partners in the UK. With these capabilities, Telefónica Tech consolidates its leading position in the UK market, considered to be the largest and fastest-growing IT services market in Europe.

Incremental Microsoft partner UK Telefonica

Launched in 2016, Incremental Group has two key specialised business areas. It is one of the leading Microsoft Dynamics Partners in the UK and is also a major player in the Data and Analytics market. It has been a Microsoft Business Applications Inner Circle member for the past three years and is one of only two partners in EMEA on Microsoft’s Global Advisory Board for data analytics.

Incremental Group has experienced significant organic and inorganic growth in recent years. In early 2021, Incremental acquired Redspire to expand its capabilities in the financial services market and become one of the largest Microsoft Dynamics partners in the UK. In October 2021, it acquired data analytics company Adatis, enabling the group to deliver end-to-end digital transformation to customers.

It is headquartered in Glasgow, although it has offices throughout the UK, as well as capabilities in Bulgaria and India. In total it has more than 350 employees which bring Telefónica Tech UK&I’s headcount to around 1,000 employees. The UK subsidiary thus contributes almost 25% of Telefónica Tech’s global workforce.

Incremental, one of Microsoft’s most significant partners in the UK

The amount of the transaction implies valuing the company at 13.7 times its gross operating profit (EV/OIBDA) and 14.2 times its operating cash flow (EV/OpCF), considering their results expected for the next fiscal year and excluding potential synergies.

The addition of Incremental’s business applications, power apps, data analytics and management capabilities to Telefónica Tech UK&I’s cloud services portfolio will enable it to enhance the end-to-end cloud offering for mid-market, large enterprise and government customers.

José Cerdán, CEO of Telefónica Tech, comments: “We warmly welcome Incremental Group, and are delighted that this acquisition enables us to strengthen our position as a leader in the UK market for IT services. We are now able to provide end-to-end Microsoft services, including digital transformation, managed services and data analytics, and achieve attractive cross-selling synergies with Telefónica Tech UK&I, complementing and positioning us as a leading Microsoft-focused company in the UK.”

Neil Logan, the current CEO at Incremental Group, says: “I am immensely proud of what Incremental has achieved since our inception a little over 5 years ago.  As we looked ahead to the next stage of our development, it was important that we secured Incremental the right support for the long term. Becoming part of Telefonica Tech propels us into the next phase of our journey and enables us to further scale the business, creating exciting opportunities for our people and our customers.”

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Dubber brings conversational intelligence solutions to Microsoft Teams

Dubber brings conversational intelligence solutions to Microsoft Teams

Dubber Corporation Limited is announcing the ability to capture video recordings and perform advanced recording controls on Microsoft Teams. Dubber video recording for Microsoft Teams will deliver recording on a single platform with real-time search, keyword analytics, and AI-enriched insights.

The advanced recording controls for Microsoft Teams will give users flexibility and control when recording voice or video calls. The features include the ability to pause and resume recordings, record on-demand or selectively manage which types of calls or meetings are recorded.

Dubber Microsoft Teams

James Slaney, COO, Dubber: Businesses increasingly recognise default and basic recording solutions fail to meet their enterprise-grade requirements for security, compliance and data sovereignty. No other company offers the completeness, scalability and robustness of Dubber’s unified call recording and conversational intelligence capability as a Microsoft Teams certified service“.

“Capturing video recordings adds critical context to knowing what was said, particularly as video has become a primary communications medium for every business driven by hybrid work”.

“For example, every customer presentation captured, attached and connected to a CRM significantly improves revenue forecasting, sales coaching, training and more. For compliance intelligence, capturing video completes the requirement to know your customer and employees. The release of advanced recording controls provides flexibility and practical control for administrators and end-users to select the types of calls that are recorded and additionally to record on-demand or pause and resume recording”.

We are addressing the critical need for any service provider or reseller of Microsoft Teams to differentiate, drive revenue and increase retention,” added Slaney.

Feature release details:

  • Video call recording: Capture and unify all your video calls, meetings and voice recording on Microsoft Teams in Dubber’s infinitely scalable Voice Intelligence Cloud. Affordable and flexible plan options start as low as $39.95 (USD) per user/month, with 100GB of storage included.
  • AI-powered video: Enrich video recordings with AI to unlock best of breed Dubber AI capabilities such as intelligent keyword search, transcriptions, analytics, sentiment plus tone analysis and real-time notification and alerts.
  • Pause-resume: Users can effectively pause and resume voice and video calls on mobile and desktop. When initiated, it results in the same consistent experience across the native app as well as calls using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency codes (DTMF).
  • On-demand: Once configured, when a call/meeting begins, it gets recorded only when the user presses the “record” button in Dubber’s app.
  • Selective recording: Allows Administrator users to select which type of calls/meetings are recorded. The following call types will be supported at launch, including the ability to record all call types.
    • Record external parties (determined by users’ tenancy) only
    • Record meetings only
    • Record PSTN only

Head to the Microsoft AppSource to get the latest control features and learn more about Dubber on Teams.

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Meet the winners of the 2021 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Online Championship

Meet the winners of the 2021 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Online Championship

2021 Microsoft Office Specialist

Certiport is announcing the winners of the 2021 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Online Championship. The 19th edition of the competition took place virtually from November 9-11, due to the pandemic. It however attracted more than 200,000 contestants from 108 countries. Six people emerged first place winners with a $7,000 cash prize across six categories. Second and third place winners also won $3,500 and $1,500 cash prizes respectively.

The competition is open to students from the ages of 13 to 22 across the globe. They compete with peers to prove their superior skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This year, regional competitions were held worldwide and 160 finalists from 33 countries qualified to compete in the final round of the competition.

Four students from Africa emerged top ten winners this year. Paras Girish Khetiya from Kenya came tenth place in the Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019) category. Mahmoud Elkhoshet, Egypt, sixth place in the Microsoft Word (Office 2016) category. Ankain Lesly Chuo, Cameroon, tenth place in the Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019) category. Vanessa Obiedo, Nigeria, tenth place in the Microsoft Excel (Office 2016) category.

Next year, Certiport will host the 2022 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, CA, from July 24-27, 2022. To learn more about the event, search the event hashtag #MOSWC on Facebook and Twitter.

The 2021 Microsoft Office Specialist World Champions are:

2021 Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Word® (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019)

  • First place: Ondrej Cach, Czech Republic
  • Second place: Man Weng Tong, Macau
  • Third place: Qiao Yan Yang – Malaysia

Microsoft Word® (Office 2016)

  • First place: Huy Nguyen Quoc, Vietnam
  • Second place: Leyao Huang, China
  • Third place: Peng Yu Lin, Taiwan

Microsoft PowerPoint® (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019)

  • First place: Andrew Chuang Saladin, USA
  • Second place: Ma. Jessa Gomez, Philippines
  • Third place: Ka Hin Hung, Hong Kong

Microsoft PowerPoint® (Office 2016)

  • First place: Masaharu Komiyama, Japan
  • Second place: Carson Mulvey, USA
  • Third place: Siddh Vora, India

Microsoft Excel® (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019)

  • First place: Ami Nakazono, Japan
  • Second place: Joaquin Saul Rivera Rivera, Peru
  • Third place: Viktoria Zhelyazkova Kabaivanova, Bulgaria

Microsoft Excel® (Office 2016)

  • First place: Songyao Luo, China
  • Second place: Phat Nguyen Duc, Vietnam
  • Third place: Ka Kiu Chan, Hong Kong

“In 2020, we missed the opportunity to showcase the incredible talents and accomplishments of these MOS Champions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we couldn’t let the global pandemic stand in the way in 2021,” said Ray Murray, Vice President and General Manager – IT, Pearson VUE.

It is inspiring to see students from 33 countries come together virtually to ‘speak Microsoft’. The winners receive extra praise, but every single student who entered has earned a valuable workforce credential that will help them find success in college and in their career. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of IT skills for tomorrow’s professionals and it’s incredible to see so many young people get introduced to IT certifications through the MOS World Championship.”

The Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is one of my favorite events because these students are thrilled to compete and they inspire all of us with their competitive spirit and crowning achievement,” said Leigh Creswell – Director, Public Sector Skills, Microsoft. “These young people who worked to earn valuable industry-recognized certifications represent a bright future for our industry and a solid foundation for the future skilled global workforce.

Certiport is the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners.

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