Microsoft Sits Firm With Push Towards Cloud Computing
Microsoft’s business division head, Stephen Elop, attending the April 2010 Atlanta Convergence conference, stated Microsoft will continue to assist customers in cutting costs through the use of cloud infrastructures. Meeting with members of the media, Stephen noted, "What we've done [in the past] is sell software. In the cloud world we're still selling that same software but we're also participating in a bigger part of customers' IT budgets. We're going after more of the pot." Stephen also said, "What we're doing is taking cost savings and taking them back to the customer." It is estimated approximately ninety percent of the Microsoft engineering team will be hard at work on cloud computing in some capacity within the next two years. Microsoft, also noted for the advancement of desktop cloud computing, already sells applications using the cloud, as well as their development structure and computing power using their Azure services.
As the keynote speaker, Stephen Elop told listeners the cloud computing technology seats Microsoft and their customers “at the center of a remarkable transition in and around everything we do with technology.”
Microsoft plans to integrate their Dynamics ERP (enterprise resource planning) and CRM (customer relations management) software with other solutions including Office and Unified Communications. Microsoft believes customers will save money and time in how they perform current business actions.
As an example, a demonstration was given, depicting how a seller could analyze Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM information within Excel, then contact a vendor through a videoconference, locating the original reason a defective product was returned far too often by the purchasing public.
Multitouch computing was also on display, as demonstrations were provided, showing how ERP and CRM information explains how a certain product line travels through the process of development, then sales. Virtual whiteboard brainstorming sessions, as well as self-service store displays in an interactive format are a couple of the ways ERP and CRM information can be used. A Microsoft business solutions corporate vice president, Kirill Tatarinov, noted shoppers will gain a distinctive experience and the retailers will save finances from the high employee turnover.
An example of CRM in use is by small ship educational cruise provider Travel Dynamics International in New York. Nikos Papagapitos, the technology operations director, uses Microsoft CRM and SharePoint together. Nikos states, "Document management is not CRM's strong suit. SharePoint fills that void and then some." The CRM software solution replaces Travel Dymanics antiquated homegrown system, as the CRM replacement provides flexibility to handle Travel Dynamics’ business flow. Nikos also noted Microsoft, in integrating ERP and CRM is very appealing. "Given that the two line up a lot it, definitely makes sense to start moving in that direction."
As Microsoft continues to push cloud computing forward, information technology, clients and customers are the true winners of the advancements coming in the foreseeable future.
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