Microsoft Partnering 101


Microsoft Readies Dynamics 365 for November Launch

Dynamics 365, a new cloud service from Microsoft that combines components of its CRM and ERP offerings, will become available on Nov. 1, the company announced Tuesday.

Microsoft, Google Poised for Cloud AI Showdown

The next battleground for the top cloud providers will be artificial intelligence (AI), if recent developments are anything to go by.

Microsoft Explains Windows Servicing Model Ahead of October Release

With a cumulative update scheduled to arrive for all supported Windows systems this week, Microsoft recently outlined a few more details about the new update structure.

2016 Rocket Award: Crestwood Makes 'Slow and Steady' a Winning Strategy

This year's award winner is Crestwood Associates, a small ERP partner that overcame an uncertain start, two recessions and an overall trend of channel consolidation to achieve multiple consecutive years of double-digit growth. 

Azure Information Protection and Azure AD Conditional Access Released

Two of Microsoft's Azure Active Directory products hit their "general availability" milestones this week.

Report: Yahoo Scanned User E-Mails Per Government Requests

Yahoo allegedly cooperated with U.S. intelligence officials to scan all incoming Yahoo e-mail traffic last year, according to a report by Reuters on Tuesday.

For IT Services Partners, All Roads Lead to M&A

The industry doesn't need as many IT services firms as there are presently. The market knows this, the vendor companies know this, customers know this and you know this.

Microsoft Quietly Puts 'Modern Lifecycle Policy' into Effect

Microsoft's new Modern Lifecycle Policy took effect in late August, with very little fanfare, for several of its enterprise products.

New Update Model for Windows 7/8.1 Coming Next Week

The first monthly cumulative updates to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will arrive on Oct. 11, signaling a sea change in how Microsoft delivers its patches and OS updates.

New Business Models Raise Questions for Microsoft Partners

Based on its talking points at WPC, Microsoft considers these four business models as critical for moving its partners into the future.

Skype for Business Mac Client Coming in October

Microsoft gave a progress report on its Skype for Business product line at this week's Ignite conference, as well as announced some coming improvements expected to arrive this year.

Microsoft Forms Massive AI Research Group

Microsoft this week announced the formation of a new business group aimed at fulfilling its goal, as CEO Satya Nadella stated at this week's Ignite conference, of "democratizing AI."

Microsoft Shares Upcoming OneDrive for Business Improvements

Microsoft is planning a number of improvements to its OneDrive for Business product, including its browser, mobile, synchronization and IT capabilities.

Microsoft's Infrastructure Investments Have Given Azure Major AI Chops

Microsoft's ongoing upgrades to its public cloud infrastructure means Azure has the fastest and most AI-optimized network among cloud providers, the company said this week at its Ignite conference in Atlanta.

Microsoft Readying SharePoint 2016 Feature Pack 1

The first Feature Pack for SharePoint Server 2016 will be released in November, Microsoft said this week.