With the participation of Greece, the leading technology conference of Microsoft took place

Technology has emerged as the accelerator of growth, equipping businesses with the right tools to adapt their business models and recover from the sudden challenges posed by the pandemic. At the heart of all technological developments is the cloud. Focusing on further exploiting the capabilities of cutting-edge technologies, Microsoft hosted Ignite, the annual conference on new digital technologies, on March 2-4, this year in digital format with Microsoft Consulting firm.

During the conference, the company announced a series of new technologies and upgrades related to cloud, data security, hybrid work model and customer experience, while introducing Microsoft Mesh, a new "mixed reality" platform that is changing data in digital interaction. 

This year Ignite was the first in which Greece had its own session, which was dedicated to the GR for GRowth initiative and specifically to Skilling which is a key pillar of the company's investment in our country. Special mention was made of Microsoft Certifications and the Certified Professionals community, which has over 900 members and enables tech professionals to develop the digital skills needed to meet the growing demand for cloud computing-related professions.

In his opening remarks, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella mentioned five characteristics that will determine the future of innovation and the cloud:

• Decentralized computer use. 

• Data dominance and environmental intelligence.

• The continuous development of the individual communities.

• Increasing financial opportunities for every member of the global workforce.

• Security and protection of privacy in products and services.

Create augmented reality collaboration experiences with Microsoft Mesh

The Microsoft Mesh is the result of Microsoft's ongoing research into HoloLens technology and artificial intelligence and takes virtual human interaction to the next level. Mesh is a new mixed reality platform that uses 3D technology, projecting the "live" image of a human being in a digital environment. This means that teams from around the world will be able to work, create and learn together, thanks to this powerful augmented reality experience, which aims to boost workforce productivity. Mesh runs via Azure and will be integrated into Teams and Dynamics 365, allowing developers to create applications that support mixed reality for multiple users.

Cooperation without restrictions

To meet the needs of the modern hybrid work model, Microsoft announced Teams Connect. The new feature of Teams, supports the creation of a common channel with customers and partners outside the company, which allows conversation and joint word processing, enhancing collaboration without restrictions. The company also announced new options for display layout in presentations, emphasizing the importance of the Viva Learning app for a more complete Teams experience. More details on the new announcements about Microsoft 365 and Teams are available here.

Strengthening cloud infrastructure

Microsoft also announced new features and updates for Azure, further enhancing its cloud infrastructure. Azure Percept will help customers create and manage cutting-edge AI solutions, Azure Purview will encourage customers to better manage and understand their data, and a preview version of Azure Arc-enabled cloud learning is also available. .

Improvements in security and customer experience

As security is at the core of Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, the company has announced new improvements to protect devices and support systems. In order to create a unique customer experience, Microsoft has introduced new features that complement Teams and Dynamics 365 by improving workflows and providing personalized solutions that return real value to customers. Ignite also announced two major Power Platform updates, the Microsoft Power Automate Desktop, which will offer time-consuming robotic automation (RPA) capabilities and will be available to Windows 10 users at no extra cost, and Microsoft Power Fx. a new Microsoft Excel-based programming language.