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Microsoft news and information.
195 topics in this forum
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US Public Sector Summit 2021: Your mission is our mission
by Guest Julia Glidden - Corporate Vice President- 0 replies
- 318 views
The past 20 months have been incredibly challenging for public sector organizations across the globe, with the global COVID-19 pandemic forcing a rapid to shift to remote work amid heightened demand for vital public services. We witnessed firsthand the way agencies that had pursued digital transformation before the pandemic were more resilient to unprecedented challenges. We also witnessed the way U.S. federal, state and local government agencies and educational institutions stepped up to support people, the economy and public health by embracing digital transformation: Morehouse College, Indiana University and public schools like those in the District of Columbia mov…
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From awareness to allyship: Reflections for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
by Guest Jacky Wright - Corporate Vice President and Chief- 0 replies
- 353 views
For many of us, childhood is pivotal in the formation of our world view. We learn who we are, what we can be and how to relate to others and the world around us through interactions with our family, friends and community. It is in those environments where we learn a sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice, and how to be good neighbors to all people. As we recognize the disability community at Microsoft throughout December along with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, I want to reflect on my personal journey of moving from awareness to allyship for people with disabilities. My journey started when I was a child growing up in London. My nex…
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Microsoft Cloud at Ignite 2021: Metaverse, AI and hyperconnectivity in a hybrid world
by Guest Frank X. Shaw- 0 replies
- 517 views
The last 18 months have resulted in a sea change throughout every industry – from the adoption of telehealth in healthcare to digital wallets in financial services to curbside pickup and contactless shopping in retail – and digital technology has been at the forefront of this seismic shift. My own habits have changed as well, to the point I can’t imagine going back to a world lacking technological flexibility and digital dexterity. In other words, thank goodness I can get away with sometimes forgetting my wallet at home. Digital technology is now more necessary than ever, for every organization in every sector, as we move into an era in which people expect their digita…
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Protect, preserve and honor Indigenous heritage to reimagine a brighter future for all
by Guest Steven Worrall- 0 replies
- 292 views
Steven Worrall, right, with Mia Leech Morrison, a student at Rosemeadow Public School in New South Wales, Australia, and a participant in the Mini-Digital Custodians program, and her proud dad. The illustrated images are connected to Indigenous heritage and were designed by Mia and her peers using Paint 3D and Minecraft. The Cammeraygal people are the traditional custodians of the land where I’m writing this. They are one of the many tribal groups who have occupied the Sydney basin district for tens of thousands of years along with the many other First Nations tribes across the Australian continent. The Cammeraygal are the stewards and the storytellers of this place an…
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Microsoft acquires Two Hat to collaborate on online safety and digital wellness solutions for online communities
by Guest Dave McCarthy- 0 replies
- 385 views
Today, we are excited to announce that Microsoft has acquired Two Hat, a leading content moderation solution provider offering protection measures for online communities with a vision to build better experiences for everyone. Globally, growing amounts of harmful content shared online have increased the need for effective and proactive content moderation. For any online community to thrive, content moderation is a critical investment to ensure positive user experiences and maintain engagement over time. Microsoft and Two Hat share a vision for using advancements in moderation technology to nurture and protect diverse, global online communities. This acquisition is an im…
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America faces a cybersecurity skills crisis: Microsoft launches national campaign to help community colleges expand the cybersecurity workforce
by Guest Brad Smith- 0 replies
- 457 views
The last year has brought unrelenting headlines about cybersecurity attacks. Foreign governments have tampered with the software supply chain, targeted on-premise servers, and hacked into sensitive government files. Criminal ransomware groups have attacked schools, penetrated hospitals and shut down a critical national pipeline. As we documented in the recent Microsoft Digital Defense Report, these attacks are growing and becoming more sophisticated. We’ve entered a new international era that falls short of war but with constant foreign cybersecurity attacks that threaten not only our businesses, but our students, healthcare and daily lives. We recognize that no one ha…
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Supporting our customers on the path to net zero: The Microsoft cloud and decarbonization
by Guest Noelle Walsh- 0 replies
- 375 views
Demand for data and digital services is expected to continue its exponential growth over the coming years, with global internet traffic projected to double by 2022. The Microsoft cloud is the trusted cloud for everyday digital experiences at work and at home – from critical applications for life and safety services, education institutions and governments to advancing scientific research surrounding the world’s most pressing challenges – like climate change. Underpinning the cloud are physical datacenters, networking and fiber connected to the world’s energy grids. Customers already benefit from the cloud’s ability to provide massive efficiency that reduces the collective …
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Advancing a net zero future: Ahead of COP26, new carbon accounting tools available with the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, now in public preview
by Guest Brad Smith, President, and Judson Althoff- 0 replies
- 394 views
Today, we are announcing the availability of the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability public preview. It is an important moment. The work to reduce carbon emissions has become a global priority that requires focused and urgent action by all of us individually and collectively. We believe this new offering can make an important contribution to this effort, helping customers move toward more sustainable operations. Around the world, governments and companies – Microsoft included – have stepped forward the past two years with important carbon reduction pledges. But as the world heads to the 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow – or COP26 – to share net zero ambitions, …
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Applications open for new National Association of Black Journalists and Microsoft Storytelling Fellowship Program
by Guest Frank X. Shaw- 0 replies
- 387 views
Attendees at a recent National Association of Black Journalists event. Photo courtesy of Jason M. Johnson/NABJ In our jobs as storytellers for Microsoft, we’re called to improve our storytelling every day, and the best way I’ve found to do this is to look at great stories – whatever the form – and learn from them. That’s why I’m especially excited to team up with the National Association of Black Journalists on the NABJ-Microsoft Storytelling Fellowship Program designed to develop emerging storytellers, offer a platform to amplify their voices and share learnings along the way. Starting today, the NABJ-Microsoft Storytelling Fellowship Program is accepting applicati…
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Embracing continuous innovation: How Microsoft is helping customers overcome challenges to transform business and industries
by Guest Judson Althoff- 0 replies
- 621 views
Photo credit: Hiroshi Watanabe/Getty Images As countries have begun to ease travel restrictions, I’ve had increasing opportunities to meet customers face to face. During my visits, customers shared how they are bringing to life digital optimism to overcome business challenges, especially during the pandemic. Customers are increasingly capitalizing on the value of the Microsoft Cloud to enable continuous innovation. What’s more, they are recognizing the advantages of digital transformation go well beyond a simple cost-benefit analysis. With the Microsoft Cloud, customers are getting integrated solutions that meet their unique needs, including powerful collaboration to…
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Microsoft’s 2021 Diversity & Inclusion report: Demonstrating progress and remaining accountable to our commitments
by Guest Lindsay-Rae McIntyre- 0 replies
- 394 views
Today, I am sharing Microsoft’s 2021 Diversity and Inclusion report, our third annual report and our eighth year of releasing our global workforce demographic data publicly. This past year was a challenging time for so many people, communities and organizations. Ongoing acts of hate and violence in the U.S. and around the world have continued to move racial injustice to the forefront of social consciousness, while the global pandemic has exacerbated inequities and upended our lives. In the face of these realities, the sense of urgency to solve some of the biggest systemic problems of equality and inclusion is palpable. This report is an opportunity for us to quantify t…
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Microsoft acquires Ally.io to improve employee experience by aligning people’s work with team goals and company mission
by Guest Kirk Koenigsbauer- 0 replies
- 343 views
We are pleased to announce that Microsoft has acquired Ally.io to help revolutionize how organizations use technology to bring deeper connection to work, purpose and results in the hybrid world. Ally.io, a leading OKR (objectives and key results) company, will join the Microsoft Viva family as part of our employee experience platform (EXP) designed to help companies embrace the new digital work life. Aligning employee work to the company’s strategic mission and core priorities is top of mind for every organization. To do this, leaders need to invest in tools that communicate transparency around big company bets and create ways to cascade aspirational goals and report r…
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With workers with disabilities being able to be paid as little as $2 an hour in 42 states, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time to
by Guest Jenny Lay-Flurrie- 0 replies
- 347 views
More than 40 million people in the United States have a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted people with disabilities, exacerbating what the World Health Organization termed the Disability Divide. Disability is a growing demographic, it was pre-pandemic, but even more so post, with “Long Covid” recently designated a disability. This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” hit at the center of what people with disabilities face given the pandemic and gives voice to what we too believe at Microsoft. We consider disability a strength. By ensuring t…
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Empowering resilient communities and accelerating our collective impact with #BuildFor2030
by Guest Rodney Clark- 0 replies
- 416 views
Recently, the United Nations General Assembly met for their 76th session to realize their vision of building resilience with hope: helping the world to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the U.N. As a partner to the U.N., Microsoft deeply supports this vision. We’ve been driving for progress on several fronts, notably by: Investing in our global skills initiative, recently expanded with skilling resources for small- to medium-size businesses, to help drive an inclusive skills-based economy. Doubling down on accessibility to close the disability divide and scale accessible tech…
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Season 2 of Microsoft Envision: Answering big questions facing business leaders
by Guest Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and- 0 replies
- 325 views
Last year, we reimagined Microsoft Envision as a digital series for senior business leaders from around the world and across industries to come together and discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities during these extraordinary times. Co-produced by Accenture, Avanade and Microsoft, the series builds on our long-standing strategic alliance to help clients overcome disruption and lead transformation in their industries. In Season 1, we explored topics like digital resilience, unlocking employee potential, the importance of zero trust and the power of a growth mindset. Featured speakers included Avanade CEO Pamela Maynard; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella; barrister and …
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Further, faster, together: Microsoft donates $100 million to Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to accelerate and scale climate tech
by Guest Lucas Joppa- 0 replies
- 302 views
When Microsoft pledged to be carbon negative by 2030, we recognized that the path to get there involved the advancement of key climate technologies to enable us to both reduce and remove carbon. That is why we backed our carbon negative commitment with two financial vehicles that will help us reach our goals — a $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund and a comprehensive carbon fee applied across our entire carbon footprint — enabling us to operate as both an investor and a customer of carbon reduction and removal solutions. But in our work, we have learned that the market needs to go even further, faster. Such an acceleration will require investments outside of our fee and ou…
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Honoring role models and raising our ‘voz’ this Hispanic Heritage Month
by Guest Yusuf Mehdi- 0 replies
- 344 views
Maria de Lourdes Sotomayor Mehdi teaching in Mexico Photo courtesy of Yusuf Mehdi. Today kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time of the year where we recognize the customs, legacies and achievements of the Hispanic and Latinx community in the U.S. This year it is an incredible honor for me to be an executive sponsor of the HOLA employee resource group at Microsoft, an amazing community of more than 4,000 members who are seeking to drive change inside and outside the company. There are so many people of Hispanic and Latinx descent whose significant achievements are worthy of celebrating, such as Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor; astronaut El…
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Microsoft launching tech resilience curriculum to foster a more inclusive future
by Guest Amanda Silver- 0 replies
- 288 views
We have a lot of work to do in the tech industry to create inclusive work environments at scale. Far too many talented people avoid choosing or decide to leave roles in tech because their team culture doesn’t value their background which results in them feeling unwelcomed or excluded. Strong research suggests that those who have exposure to strategies for overcoming obstacles, navigating conflict and creating inclusive environments improves the effectiveness of students, employees, mentors and leaders. When we think about the culture we aim to cultivate at Microsoft, we want to create an environment where employees feel they can thrive. Our outlook is informed by a gro…
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Microsoft and LinkedIn share latest data and innovation for hybrid work
by Guest Jared Spataro- 0 replies
- 366 views
This morning Satya Nadella and Ryan Roslansky, the CEO of LinkedIn, sat down to talk about the key secular trends they’re seeing as people and organizations everywhere adjust to hybrid work. Their conversation is part of an effort between Microsoft and LinkedIn to help leaders and their teams navigate this new world of work, and here I’ll share more about the trends we’re seeing, the data behind them and the product updates we’re announcing today across Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Viva and LinkedIn. As Satya and Ryan mentioned, the evolving Delta variant is compelling many of us to adjust plans for reopening worksites. It’s a stark reminder that this is the new normal…
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Digital optimism: Customers drive cloud and industry innovation with Microsoft technology
by Guest Judson Althoff- 0 replies
- 405 views
Among the prominent trends highlighted at Microsoft Inspire, our annual partner conference, was “digital optimism,” where the Microsoft cloud is playing an outsized role in many key areas defining the future of global business, including hybrid work, resilient global supply chains, inclusive economic development, global sustainability and cybersecurity. This optimism reflects how customers are increasingly seeking ways to innovate and future-proof their business models with the cloud. It also underscores how Microsoft and our global partner community are co-developing digital solutions that help these customers create lasting value amid pandemic-related market shifts, des…