Friday, February 28, 2020
Closing the STEM Gap: Why STEM classes and careers still lack girls and what we can do about it
Take an in-depth look at the Microsoft commissioned study to understand why girls are still steering away from STEM-related fields and what we can start doing now in our schools to close this gap.
Three reasons why Windows Server and SQL Server customers continue to choose Azure
For the past 25 years, companies of every size have trusted Windows Server and SQL Server to run their business-critical workloads. In fact, more than 70 percent of on-premises server workloads today run on Windows Server.
Red Cross saves lives in Kenya with cloud-based solutions
This case study, brought to you by @msftnonprofits, tells the moving story of how the Red Cross in Kenya uses Microsoft solutions to enable real-time decision-making and faster response in the most remote areas. For more information on Microsoft solutions for nonprofits, contact us today.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Be A Prepper: The Keys To A Digital Disaster Recovery Plan For Business Leaders
This article, written by a small business owner, is relevant to business leaders of every type. It highlights the importance of a disaster recovery plan and underscores the value of diligence and consistency when implementing one.
How To Win With A Tech-Forward Customer Experience
This article explores the role of technology in curating customer experience. In an era when customers often view businesses, products, and services as commodities, customer experience is becoming a key differentiator.
The feds and the states are embracing privacy law - what that means to your business
A look into what changes businesses may be experiencing in the realm of customer data use and privacy compliance requirements, and how to effectively weather these changes.
Microsoft uses analytics and data science to enhance the user experience
People need solutions that are easy to use and provide a great customer experience. Microsoft has made this a core tenant of solution usability. With products like Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, and SQL Server Analysis Services, Microsoft has created a data platform that allows them to collaborate and scale. Contact us to find out how we can help you integrate this same tech.
View: Microsoft uses analytics and data science to enhance the user experience
Office 365 helps secure Microsoft from modern phishing campaigns
Cybersecurity is a critical issue at Microsoft, as it is for organizations everywhere. Microsoft processes more than 400 billion emails each month and stops over 10 million malicious emails every minute to keep their users safe and secure on the cloud. Your business can leverage the same solution to provide a secure and agile workplace for your employees. Contact us for more information.
View: Office 365 helps secure Microsoft from modern phishing campaigns
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Customer story: Nakilat
Qatari shipping and maritime company, Nakilat, aspires to be a global leader in energy transportation. To increase its efficiency, security, and competitive advantage, the company has transitioned its onshore offices and fleet of 67 vessels to a cloud-based, SaaS model. With Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Cloud App Security, Nakilat has securely improved employee communication and mobility. The company has also adopted Microsoft Azure to optimize operations and improve business continuity, reducing operating costs by 50%.
Customer story: Jumeirah Hotels
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts--owners of some of the world's most luxurious hotels--has a reputation for delivering world-class hospitality. In their tradition of excellence, the company compiles data through its customer loyalty program to customize and deliver personalized messaging. This has resulted in nearly 50% customer engagement and a 10% increase of year-over-year revenue.
Upgrade to avoid end of support for SQL Server 2008
Microsoft has a number of products that evolve over time. SQL Server 2008 is no exception. That's why it's time to upgrade. With SQL Server 2017, you don't just get an update--you get in-memory performance across workloads, mission-critical high availability, end-to-end mobile BI, and in-database advanced analytics with security features. At Aksara United, we're here to help you get the right tools for the job. Contact us to find out more.
Day in the life Retail
Retail can be demanding, that's why you need a business-class email provider that can keep up. Microsoft business-class email allows you to keep track of all your moving parts and communicate quickly with employees, suppliers, and customers. Your time is valuable, let Aksara United help you make the most of it. Contact us for information on how we can help you integrate Microsoft business-class email.
Customer Story: Qantas Airways Limited
Watch Qantas Airways tackle the challenge of keeping employees connected and focused on a common goal, even while scattered across the globe, by utilizing the cloud-based Microsoft 365.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Activating your organization's Azure credits
Your eligible nonprofit customers can leverage $3,500 per year of Azure credits. This gives them access to the complete portfolio of Azure cloud solutions and services. This 4-minute video, "Activating your organization's Azure credits," walks your nonprofit customers through redeeming Azure credits and getting started with the cloud computing service.
To ensure that your customers can take advantage of this special offer, be sure to review the eligibility criteria and help your customers through the registration process so they can start using their Azure credits today!
Microsoft Azure for your cloud platform - what it is and how it works
Nonprofit organizations often operate in a world of highly constrained resources. Doing more with less requires changing how you work. This webcast, "Microsoft Azure for your cloud platform - what it is and how it works," shows how your nonprofit customers can free themselves from constantly managing infrastructure so they can focus on delivering higher-impact applications with Azure.
Free yourself from constantly managing the IT infrastructure of your #nonprofit. Watch "Microsoft Azure for your cloud platform - what it is and how it works," from @MSFTNonprofits, to learn how you can focus on delivering higher-impact applications.
Office 365 Mobility
This infographic focuses on how Office 365 makes it easy for nonprofits to collaborate with colleagues on the road or in the office. Find out how to do more, be more productive, gain new insights, build teamwork, and get more control over data security and compliance in your organization. For more information on Office 365, contact us today.
Learn Azure in a Month of Lunches
This eBook, "Learn Azure in a Month of Lunches," helps build cloud computing skills quickly and efficiently. In about 45 minutes a day for 30 days—basically a month of lunch hours!—the reader can learn to build and run secure, highly available applications in Azure. This eBook breaks down the most important Azure concepts into bite-size lessons with exercises and labs—along with project files available in GitHub—to reinforce new skills.
Mobilize your nonprofit organization
Nonprofits need to be able to empower staff with the freedom and mobility to work whenever and wherever they choose. "Mobilize your nonprofit organization" helps your customers understand how they can mobilize and modernize their organization without sacrificing security. To learn how Microsoft Office 365 cloud solutions can empower nonprofit employees to effectively work remotely, across all devices, securely and compliantly, contact us today.
Monday, February 24, 2020
Closing the STEM Gap: 5 insights that can make a difference for girls and young women
Having more women in STEM fields benefits us all, so how do we get them there? It starts in our schools. This infographic illustrates five insights from a recent study that point us in the right direction for getting young girls interested in and developing STEM skills early on.
View: Closing the STEM Gap: 5 insights that can make a difference for girls and young women
Maximizing grant funding for your STEM initiatives
For school districts whose few resources are already spread thin, grants are the perfect way to bring in new tools to benefit STEM learning. However, the range of grant sizes, providers, and requirements can be overwhelming to a school district just starting the process. This guide efficiently organizes what your district needs to know about grant applications, covering everything from overviews of sources and structure, common STEM grants, and valuable application tips.
Customer Story: SitePro - part 3
This week, delve deeper into the multiple service offerings from Azure that allow SitePro to run their entire turnkey application from this single platform.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
You've Got Cloud. Now, What?
Cloud solutions are known for cutting costs and enabling innovation and agility, but not all cloud solutions are the same. This article discusses four of the fine print strategies you should consider when adopting a cloud solution.
What is Cloud Migration and Why is it Important
Why cloud? The digital revolution has empowered customers with more choices, requiring businesses to exchange outdated practices with modern solutions in a competitive landscape. In response, growth and adoption of cloud services are increasing across industries and businesses. This article explores six advantages of choosing the cloud.
Using cloud technologies to improve disaster recovery
Disaster lurks around every corner. You need a solution that can deliver peace of mind with a comprehensive solution. By using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager and SQL Data Sync to improve application resilience and performance in the cloud, Microsoft IT helps ensure that business applications are always available, and data is protected in case of disaster.
Transforming sales: Microsoft removes obstacles and gives back time with Dynamics 365
Digital transformation has reached every business, including Microsoft. With the change, Microsoft has undergone a revamp of their sales culture. With tools like Dynamics 365, Azure cloud solutions, and Office productivity, they've created a curated sales experience that eliminates hours of administrative processes to empower sellers with innovative tools.
View: Transforming sales: Microsoft removes obstacles and gives back time with Dynamics 365
Azure Backup datasheet
Your data is more important to your organization than ever before. In today's technological world, having the tools to back up your information is vital to success. Azure Backup helps you retain rapidly increasing amounts of data while keeping storage costs low. It makes it easy for you to back up and restore your most important information when the unexpected happens.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Microsoft Dynamics for Customer Service
How do you keep track of your customers? Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the next generation of intelligent business applications that enable your organization to grow, evolve, and transform. These applications unify CRM and ERP capabilities with purpose-built applications that work seamlessly together to help manage specific business functions.
Customer story: Coats
Coats, the world's leading industrial thread manufacturer, chose the Microsoft cloud in its strategy to modernize its business and data platforms. With a 250-year heritage, a global footprint, and 19,000 employees worldwide, secure, reliable, and progressive systems are a must. The company deployed cloud-based collaboration technology, including Microsoft Office, and migrated most of its data payload and SAP estate to Microsoft Azure, reducing operating costs 25-30% and improving reporting performance by 600%.
Customer story: Toronto Zoo
Moving from pen and paper to a culture of cloud-based technology, the Toronto Zoo has revolutionized the way employees work. Using Office 365, they have improved internal processes and data sharing with partners around the world.
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Securely run and grow your business
Learn about the ways in which Microsoft 365 better protects your business against today's threats, while remaining cost effective and scalable.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Tools and technology for developing future-ready skills
Find out what Microsoft is doing to ensure students today are prepared for the workforce of tomorrow, even if we are not yet sure what that work will be.
View: Tools and technology for developing future-ready skills
Why Cloud Flyer
"Why Cloud" shows your nonprofit customers how they can increase productivity, enhance professionalism, and increase security in their organization with supercharged, business-class email from Microsoft. Contact us today to learn how Microsoft Office 365 cloud solutions can make a measurable impact on your organization.
10 Myths On Moving To The Cloud
"10 Myths On Moving To The Cloud" helps nonprofits unpack what they really need to know by revealing 10 common misconceptions about moving to Microsoft Office 365. Each myth is countered by the truth and benefits of moving applications to a hosted solution. To learn how Microsoft Office 365 cloud solutions can make a measurable difference for your organization, contact us today.
SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 end of support is coming
As the saying goes, all things must come to an end. With end of support nearing for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2, this solution brief provides information to help you make a smooth transition and an overview of the new features you can benefit from in SQL Server 2017 and the Azure SQL Database Managed Instance.
The Value of Certification
Microsoft Imagine Academy designed to ensure students enter higher education, further education, or the workplace with this vitally important skill: technical proficiency and industry-recognized credentials. Hear from students, educators, and recent graduates about the benefits they have experienced using Microsoft Imagine Academy and preparing for careers.
Monday, February 17, 2020
The total economic impact of Microsoft Azure SQL Database managed instance
What is the economic impact of switching from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure? Microsoft asked Forrester to find out. Four client interviews later, the results are in: See how you can save by switching to Azure!
View: The total economic impact of Microsoft Azure SQL Database managed instance
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Announcing new options for SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 End of Support
This article outlines the end of support timeline for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2, as well as options and recommendations for current users moving forward.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
10 Things To Consider When It Comes To Disaster Recovery
Just as you would stock your home with supplies before a hurricane, it's necessary to prepare your IT infrastructure and operations before a proverbial storm hits. With Azure, you can use a litany of products and services to help recover and in many cases prevent disasters from rocking your organization.
Technology Trends That Will Radically Change The Face Of Customer Care
Customer service has been around for a long time. But with new tech, customer service is changing rapidly. Microsoft Dynamics 365 has the capability to radically improve your customer service experience. Drive business results with next-generation, multi-channel applications that infuse artificial intelligence (AI), mixed reality, social, and mobile capabilities for rapid innovation.
5 key areas to focus on while integrating cloud-based strategies
As moving to the cloud becomes less a matter of "if" and more a matter of "when" for most companies, the follow-up question is how best to go about doing so. This article identifies several key goals or opportunities companies will want to focus on as they enter into this process.
Empowering your organization to embrace a data culture with Power BI
Companies are generating an amazing amount of data, but do they know how to use it? Often, the answer is "not really." You need to leverage a solution that can help your employees understand what your data is telling them. With Microsoft Power BI, you have access to manipulate, learn from, and act on your data. Use Power BI to explore, gain crucial insights, and make decisions in new and exciting ways. Contact Aksara United to learn more on how we can help you integrate Power BI today.
View: Empowering your organization to embrace a data culture with Power BI
Microsoft migrates 150,000 mailboxes to Exchange Online
Before releasing Office 365 to the public, Microsoft recognized the advantage--to both users and the company--of migrating to Exchange Online. Exchange Online offers the ability to access email from anywhere on any device and much more. Exchange Online is one way in which Microsoft chose to modernize its business. Aksara United and Microsoft want you to have a modern, agile workplace. Contact us for more information on how we can help you migrate to the cloud.
View: Microsoft migrates 150,000 mailboxes to Exchange Online
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Customer story: Allscripts
Having a reliable and secure IT service provider was more than acquiring 1,000 VMs needed to run the show. Allscripts, a leading healthcare software manufacturer, acquired two companies in 2017. To ensure their new datacenter assets had a home fast, they brought on Microsoft Azure. The reliability of built-in disaster recovery protections means Allscripts doesn't have to worry about losing their data. You can do the same.
Customer story: Providence St. Joseph Health
Providence St. Joseph Health is moving beyond the typical call center to provide more personalized experiences for patients. Liaisons from its Patient & Provider Engagement Center are solving industry-wide challenges--creating more personalized patient experiences, better addressing patient needs, and helping patients access the right care with the right providers.
SQL Server 2017 Datasheet
Data is an important part of any modern business. Why not use a data platform with intelligence and security already built in? Microsoft SQL Server 2017 provides extras without extra cost, along with best-in-class performance and flexibility for your on-premises needs. Contact Aksara United today to find out how we can help you integrate SQL Server for industry-leading performance and security.
Day in the life--Financial services
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a financial services professional is like? With cloud email, partners can manage their business on the go and safeguard customer data. With Outlook, features like FindTime make it easy to identify gaps in schedules and set meetings, saving valuable time. Aksara United and Microsoft want you to have access to professional cloud email for your mobile and agile business. Contact us today to learn more.
Customer Story: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is ensuring they have the tools necessary to stay at the forefront of innovation by keeping their entire company connected and secure through Microsoft 365.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Personalized Learning, Teachers Unleashed, and a Learning Analytics Partnership: The Story of Fresno Unified
After rounding the year 2 mark on their Personalized Learning Initiative, Fresno Unified School District has gained new insights into what exactly has made the initiative so exceptional in its ability to transform learning outcomes for students. Take a look at their findings in this article.
Elevate Your Email
"Elevate Your Email" is a comprehensive eBook that explains why email is the preferred method of communication for society and business communications. The growth of cloud technology has enabled hybrid solutions that can be customized to the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. Email cloud solutions provide more security and compliance while automating functionality for users, which ultimately save money.
Enabling Analytics for Improvement ‒ Lessons from Year 2 of Fresno's Personalized Learning Initiative
Take an in-depth look at the second-year results of Fresno Unified School District's Personalized Learning Initiative, including comparison data on closing the achievement gap for economically disadvantaged students and insights on the most impactful aspects of the initiative thus far.
Customer Story: SitePro video 2
SitePro is a software company with a mission to enable the digital oil field. In this video, discover how Microsoft Azure helps SitePro harness the power of data to drive transformation for its oil and gas company customers.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
ACE: See a 25% decrease in operating costs
This article illustrates the journey of London-based nonprofit Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) in adopting Microsoft® 365. The post highlights specific pain points ACE was experiencing using legacy systems, including slow data access. Through cloud adoption, ACE improved file storage, compliance, and access to cloud-based apps. Moreover, the nonprofit group saw a 25% decrease in operating costs. Contact us today to learn how you too can maximize the potential of the cloud with Microsoft cloud services.
5 Reasons to Move to the Cloud
This infographic showcases the top 5 reasons why your nonprofit needs to move to an always-updated experience powered by the cloud. The benefits of adopting the cloud through Microsoft® cloud services are presented; these include secure data, streamlined scalability, and cost savings. Various approaches to cloud migration enable nonprofit groups to move at their own pace, making the process easier to manage. Contact us today for more information about Microsoft cloud services.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Fresno Unified, the futures challenge, and 21C Learning Design
Take an in-depth look inside Fresno Unified School District's innovative Personalized Learning Initiative including their overall goals, year one progress, and adjustments for the future.
View: Fresno Unified, the futures challenge, and 21C Learning Design
Why Cloud (By Default) Gives You Security You Couldn't Afford Otherwise
Regardless of your industry, security should be a top concern. That's what makes moving to the cloud so attractive for IT pros. The increased mobility, flexibility, and ability to go serverless all have their place but the default security upgrade you receive by moving to the cloud is undeniably one of the greatest benefits. Microsoft and Aksara United can help you find the solution that's right for your organization. Contact us today to find out more.
A Customer Data Platform Picks Up Where CRM Leaves Off
If you're not leveraging the power of a customer data platform, you might not truly understand your customers. With big data and a modern data platform, your business can drive customer experience to new heights. Azure is that modern data platform. With native AI--you can unlock insights faster from all your data, on-premises and in the cloud. Aksara United and Microsoft are here to help. Contact us to find out how we can help you navigate your journey to the cloud.
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Customer story: RLH Corporation
Discover how Red Lion Hotels Corporation used Dynamics 365, Microsoft Teams, and Office 365 to digitally transform their internal processes to drive higher guest satisfaction. Faced with data-quality issues, the challenges of combining two legacy CRM platforms, and a need to improve internal communications, RLH Corporation consolidated disparate systems into a single platform.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Customer story: TransBlue
Flexibility and mobility are important for any businesses operating in today's digital age. Especially for small businesses. Without a robust IT department, TransBlue took on the challenge of modernizing their workplace with Microsoft 365. With tools like Skype and Teams, they can collaborate from afar saving them time and resources. Aksara United wants to help you modernize your workplace. Contact us today for more information on how we can help.
Missing Children Society of Canada
Helping find children isn't an easy business, but Missing Children Society of Canada is using Microsoft Azure and Xamarin to leverage Canada's social networks to bring missing children home. Azure gives them the scale they need to optimize their use of social media and supports rapid scaling required to take on millions of users. With Aksara United and Microsoft, you can leverage the same power. Contact us to find out more.
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Customer Story: Fresno Unified School District
Through the lens of the Fresno Unified School District, check out the incredible transformations on an individual and community-wide level that happen when technology allows students to take greater control of their own learning experience.
SMB security: infographic
This infographic outlines common security breach scenarios caused by human error and the ways in which Microsoft 365 is addressing these problems through built-in security protocols.
Monday, February 3, 2020
Customer story: Fleet Complete
Shortly after a surge in business, which mobile-workforce-management company Fleet Complete referred to as "man your battle stations" mode, the company kicked into disaster recovery mode. In January 2018, the Fleet Complete head office in Toronto, Canada, was flooded. Although many employees could not access the office, with cloud technology, including Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Dynamics 365, the company remained completely operational amidst disaster.
Customer Story: SitePro
SitePro gained a competitive advantage by combining onsite sensors and data collection with online data processing and management using Microsoft Azure. As a result, they were able to provide faster and more effective service to their customers, which in turn strengthened the offerings of their customers. It's a win for everyone.
Microsoft AI Commercial Featuring Common
With innovative technology such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, we have more power at our fingertips than entire generations that came before us. Yet, technology is just a tool, and a tool is only as useful as the person who wields it. We're celebrating individuals and organizations using Microsoft technology to change lives, inspiring us all to see the possibility within emerging technologies.
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The way we think of and use technology holds so much potential. From increasing the productivity of farmers to helping researchers track endangered species, Microsoft is proud to support so many amazing people who inspire and improve the world we live in. Whether you're trying to make a difference on a global scale or trying to improve job satisfaction in the workplace, Aksara United can help! Subscribe today!
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