Microsoft Power and Utilities News – November 2015 Installment
Welcome to our November 2015 installment of Microsoft Power & Utilities News.
Earlier this year, we introduced Windows 10, our best Windows ever. As companies are in the process of rolling this out, I wanted to share some insights about how Windows 10 helps Utilities create business transformation with the Internet of Things (IoT). As we know, Industry 4.0 and IoT are revolutionizing the way Utilities interact with data and processes, enabling them to create new business models and transform operations. With Microsoft Azure and Windows 10 IoT, businesses can use real-time analytics to monitor machine operations, improving troubleshooting capabilities through Windows devices and making mission-critical processes more efficient. And for those Utilities whose enterprise standards are still evolving, Windows 10 operates seamlessly, even if you are running older versions of Windows in your operations.
We have also been talking about the importance of a connected and productive workforce for Utilities. Enabling people to work where they want—in the office, on the go, and at home—and making it easy for them to collaborate with colleagues, partners, and customers around the world is key to innovation. But, giving your dispersed workforce the support and tools they need to succeed on the job can be a challenge. In an exciting new collaboration, we have joined forces with Schneider Electric and Intel to optimize mobility solutions that enable field workers to be more productive by staying seamlessly connected to data and apps and having real-time reporting at their fingertips. Learn more about these solutions that address today’s most pressing mobility challenges for Utilities.
For our customers in Europe, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently announced a number of investments in the Microsoft Cloud aimed at driving innovation and economic growth and giving customers greater choice. These investments include plans to deliver commercial cloud services from datacenter regions in the U.K. and the expansion of regional hubs in Ireland and the Netherlands. In Germany, Microsoft will be the first global, hyper-scale cloud provider to offer a unique model where access to customer data is controlled by a Data Trustee under German law.
I also encourage you to check out this new on-demand webcast hosted by Energy Central. Jenny Roehm, Senior Manager, Residential Energy Management Solutions for Schneider Electric; Jason Lien, Director of Offer Development, Small Building Systems for Schneider Electric; and I talk about the advantages of cloud based security and data optimization and how using a cloud-based service provider can increase security and increase the efficiency of utility programs.
There’s more news below, so please enjoy!
Sincerely,
Larry Cochrane, Director of Industry Technology Strategy, Microsoft Power & Utilities
AGL keeps the meters running by moving into the cloud
ZDNet
Australian utility giant AGL has been making gradual movements into the cloud, and as a result, has been able to launch web chat online and release its own native apps, hosted on Microsoft Azure.
PJSC Odessa Oblenergo Links its People to Information to Gain Real-Time Business Insights
Tasked with providing a reliable power supply to the Odessa region, Odessa Oblenergo had disparate systems and processes operating across its 33 departments, which proved time consuming and costly to the company. In wanting to gain real-time visibility and improve employee productivity, the company chose Microsoft Dynamics AX to deliver a single, unified system driving greater business insights to empower its decision-makers.
Ferranti Computer Systems powers up Our Power in the cloud
Congratulations to Microsoft global ISV partner Ferranti Computer Systems! Ferranti’s Microsoft Dynamics AX-based MECOMS-as-a-service solution was recently adopted for the first time in the UK by energy provider Our Power. Our Power will use the system for all of its customer care and billing needs, and because it is a SaaS installation, Our Power will have the power and flexibility of an onsite installation, but can deploy, host and maintain it entirely in the cloud using Microsoft Azure.
A Field Service Executive’s Guide to Investing in CRM for 2016
By Julio Hartstein, FieldOne Systems
Have you decided that 2016 is going to be your field service organization’s year to get on top of sales and service excellence? If so, there’s every possibility that a new CRM platform is on your IT shopping list. You probably need no one to tell you that selecting and implementing a major business information platform will be a big project, but with the right amount of homework and consideration of the challenges, it doesn’t have to be a troublesome one. An awareness of the following points will help you and your executive team set the stage for a successful 2016 CRM investment.
A few ideas for an improved 21st century grid
Courtesy of Windpower Engineering & Development
Article by Jochen Kreusel, Head of Smart Grids, Global, ABB, Inc.
Today, wind is one of the least expensive energy sources worldwide and has become one of the largest generation subsectors in some regions. Further growth and acceleration is expected, especially in light of its significant cost reductions over the past few years. To meet demand, electric power-supply systems must find ways to integrate renewable energy on a larger scale.
Watch the Microsoft 2015 Virtual CIO Summit On Demand!
Watch the Microsoft 2015 Virtual CIO Summit on demand now to learn how key trends, like IoT and Cloud, and new technologies, such as Windows 10, Office 2016 and Surface Book, can empower you and your business.
Microsoft and Red Hat partner to deliver more flexibility and choice
Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Red Hat that extends our commitment to offer unmatched choice and flexibility in an enterprise-grade cloud experience across the hybrid cloud. This collaboration will help enterprises move to the cloud more easily and on their own terms.
Your Secret Sales Management Tool: Machine Learning
As the Systems of Intelligence Era is upon us, we all understand the transformative benefits that machine learning and advanced analytics can bring to businesses in terms of things like process improvements, operational efficiencies, and predictive maintenance. In his new blog, Microsoft’s Worldwide Manufacturing & Resources General Manager Çağlayan Arkan looks at machine learning from an entirely new angle: sales and marketing. Explore how Microsoft is helping our customers to increase sales and improve forecasting accuracy by up to 90% by applying machine learning algorithms. Learn more about how you can use the power of today’s technology to realize dramatic results for your business in a short amount of time.
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