All posts by afoellmi@yahoo.com

ANU Large data sets and small budgets


Large upfront costs can severely limit the scope and scalability of important projects. With major research institutes that work on projects where substantial volumes of data need to be analyzed, the investment in computing infrastructure for data processing can be a major concern. They need a solution that can ensure the proper scalability of research projects and eliminate the inefficiencies of having to constantly update, upgrade, or downscale on-site servers to address the data needs of specific projects. Fortunately, cloud computing is having an enormous impact on how research is done across the globe.

Watch this video to learn how the elasticity and scalability of Microsoft Azure has allowed genome researchers at Australian National University to access only the computational resources they need while delivering results faster than ever before.

DHHS: Platform plus agile development


Digitally transforming public services to make them accessible to everyone who needs them as quickly as possible is key to building trust in public agencies. But to do so effectively, governments need to ensure that their applications and websites remain as accessible and user-friendly as possible, which requires that they streamline processes, choose stable platforms, and follow the best development methodologies. If these new apps are adopted correctly, they can provide governments with universally accessible two-way channels for interacting with citizens that lessen reliance on physical interaction, while providing government employees more and better information about their cases.

Watch this video to learn how an agile approach to app development combined with Microsoft Azure is changing the way the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Victoria, Australia, is delivering IT to its department and the entire state.

NSW: Empowering through ease of use


For the New South Wales Department of Education, getting students excited about technology started with ease of use. Students were empowered through using technology they were originally unfamiliar with and over time creating professional quality work. Teachers saw increased confidence levels as well as authentic interest from students wanting to learn more.

We want devices and technology that are easy to use, whether it be students in an educational environment or employees in the modern workplace. Ease of use must be a priority, and Microsoft Teams was built for this. View this video for a quick glimpse of this.

Saving time with Microsoft Teams

This infographic displays stats on how Microsoft Teams reduces the total number of meetings as well as their duration from improved collaboration and information sharing.

View: Saving time with Microsoft Teams

Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure

This whitepaper highlights why Azure makes sense for applications that rely on SQL Server or Windows Server, based on four themes: security, innovation, hybridity, and cost.

View: Benefits of using Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure

The power of relationship selling

In this report—a collaboration between Microsoft and Heinz Marketing—you’ll find insights gleaned from over 200 in-depth surveys with top sales leaders. Learn how to achieve desired sales goals, maximize the effectiveness of customer data, and take more strategic steps toward building personal relationships using data-driven engagement tactics.

View: The power of relationship selling

50 Percent of Emails and Texts are Misunderstood, But There’s an Easy Way to Change That

Digital communication permeates every aspect of the modern workplace, from emails to texting to messaging to the chat feature in Microsoft Teams. Unfortunately, “people think others understand their messages 90 percent of the time, but the actual statistic is only 50 percent,” according to Nick Morgan, author of “Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World.”

How do we make sure our messages aren’t misunderstood half the time? In his article, “50 Percent of Emails and Texts are Misunderstood, But There’s an Easy Way to Change That,” Ryan Jenkins states there’s a simple solution: use emojis.

Not only is emoji acceptance in the workplace growing (61% of emoji users use them at work), but research demonstrates that the same part of the brain that processes human faces also processes emojis. “When an emoji conveys a human emotion, it can be transferred in a text. Therefore, emojis help communicators manage the emotional tone of digital messages. And emojis help recipients interpret the tone of digital message,” writes Jenkins.

The modern workplace includes increased digital communication as well as increased emoji use—read this article in its entirety to understand the benefits of using emojis at work 😊

Read More…

Mercy Housing keeps residents safe at home using Microsoft Teams


When the pandemic ushered in a new reality of social distancing, Mercy Housing was able to continue supporting the residents and communities it serves while keeping everyone safe using Microsoft Teams. This customer story video outlines when COVID-19 created a tremendous need for a tool that can maintain personal connection, Teams has allowed the company to maintain reaching residents and serving its communities, growing the business while working remotely, all while supporting highly secure environments for remote work.

Solution overview video


This video highlights the benefits of using Activate Digital Selling solutions from Microsoft. Make the digital buying experience rich, personal, and efficient with predictive AI and unified customer data.

The AI Revolution Is Here – A Podcast And Interview With Nate Yohannes

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the catalyst for the fourth industrial revolution, the most significant technological advancement thus far. AI has the potential to solve incredible challenges for all of humanity, including climate change, education, design, customer experiences, governance, and food. That said, among the biggest concerns regarding AI is the potential for unexpected and unintended consequences in building and deploying AI products. According to Nate Yohannes, Principal Program Manager for Mixed Reality and AI Engineering at Microsoft, having appropriate representation at decision-making tables when building AI products is critical to help prevent these unfortunate scenarios. From his perspective, representation will go a long way toward preventing the unexpected consequences of AI products, and it will also guarantee that the products that are created will have the widest consumer base possible: everyone.

Listen to this podcast for an inspiring conversation about how to make the possible a reality by approaching AI with a new mindset that takes into consideration its full potential for improving the lives of everyone.

Read More…