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Wednesday
Sep262018

Azure is crushing it

Microsoft's cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, really seems to be gathering momentum.

The latest sign of this platform's success is the recently announced Azure Virtual Desktop.  By combining Windows 10 with the Office 365 and Azure platforms, Microsoft has given us an early look as its future, a future in which all products are genuinely cloud-first, integrated, and cohesive .... from the humble desktop all the way to Enterprise cloud applications, it can all be done on Microsoft technology using a familiar management interface, and a subscription style, on-demand, fee structure.

After suffering along with other Microsoft consultants during the early days of Azure and O365, it's remarkable to me how much they have improved their vision and execution for theser platforms.

Wednesday
Aug292018

AMD ... wow

Incredible to see that run that AMD is on right now (and NVDA before them).

One thing is sure, the Intel/Microsoft monopoly is fully dead, it's innovate and move in tech right now, or else.

Wednesday
Aug292018

Dynamics 365, Dynamics Business Central.

Dynamics 365 is the "new" brand for all of Microsoft's business apps.  Within that brand is Dynamics Business Central, which is basically a multi-tenant, Azure cloud hosted Dynamics NAV.  Dynamics NAV as a brand will be retired, and it will be only Dynamics 365 Business Central moving into 2019, or at least that's the info we have now.  My guess is that Microsoft is going to re-think this branding somewhat ... they may want to keep the 365 I'm fairly sure, but Dynamics itself could be replaced, and Business Central may not be the final answer.

Beyond the marketing, these collection of platforms offer a lot of true value.  My guess it that the Office 365 momentum is going to start really impact D365 moving into 2019, since every D365 customer has so much opportunity with the Appsource and native apps in Office 365.   It's actually a value story that virtually no other publisher can offer, and hopefully Microsoft is effective in communicating this message to customers in coming quarters. 

Wednesday
Aug292018

Goodbye Windows 7, hello Microsoft 365

Dell emailed me today to let me know that Windows 7 won't be available from them after October.  OK.

It may surprise people to know how well Windows 7 still sells, so this will create some issues for users.  But with Microsoft's thrilling success with the Office 365 platform, it was only a matter of time until standalone operating systems were fully phased into a subscription platform ... expect to see huge muscle behind Microsoft 365 this fall, Microsoft's subscription service for both Windows + Office.  It's ultimately a great deal for both sides as customers get cost certainty, and Microsoft keeps its products up-to-date and moving, as opposed to waiting for the OEM upgrade cycles.

Tuesday
Aug282018

5G

There has been some noise about 5G, but nowhere near enough relative to how explosive and disruptive this technology is going to be.

5G is the next iteration of cell phone 'network", and promises speeds in excess of 1 gig (1,000+ mbps), dramatically faster than what most consumers and businesses have available to them today.

 

The early moves will be with consumers ... Verizon is already working on a home internet offering with Apple that will include high speed 5G internet and an Apple TV for streaming content.  It won't take much for them to disrupt the cable monopoly's high prices and limited service, and I think by the end of 2019 5G is going to be driving "cord cutters" and transforming consumer internet and media services.   Businesses will follow as lower prices and high speeds pressure business broadband pricing.

2019 will be the year of 5G !