Introduction
As the world pushes through 2020, businesses realize the need for agility and are adapting themselves to the new normal. Microsoft, being the leading tech giant, is at the forefront of providing solutions to the ever-evolving challenges that businesses face. Here are the top 5 Microsoft business trends to watch for in 2021.
Cloud Computing and AI
In 2021, we see a surge in Cloud Computing and AI adoption, and Microsoft’s Azure offers an all-in-one platform that caters to all your business needs. With AI and Cloud services, businesses can monitor, analyze, and predict customer behavior while optimizing efficiency and productivity. Microsoft’s Azure Cognitive Services is an example of intelligent AI applications that can understand natural language, recognize images, and perform translations.
Remote Workforce Management
Due to the pandemic, remote work has become the new standard and is here to stay. In response, Microsoft Teams provides seamless collaboration with its robust capabilities like chat, video calls, webinars, and document sharing. Microsoft Viva, a new virtual assistant, is an added advantage for workers as it facilitates easy access to training, guided workflows, and company news.
Hybrid Work Models
Hybrid work models emerged as a more sustainable approach to work from home at scale in 2020, and it is here to stay. Microsoft Surface Duo and Surface Hub facilitate hybrid meetings, where remote workers can collaborate efficiently with those in person. Microsoft has also partnered with OpenAI to bring API-based text analysis capabilities, further aiding businesses’ productivity.
B2B E-commerce
B2B E-commerce is an evident trend in 2021, with e-commerce sales expected to grow to $4.9 trillion by 2021. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce provides a comprehensive solution for online retailers targeting the B2B segment. It offers a personalized shopping experience with built-in AI capabilities to cater to individual customer requirements.
Data Security
With the enormous amount of data generated every day, data security is more important than ever. Microsoft Security is an all-in-one solution that caters to all business security needs, including identifying potential malware, protecting personal data and preventing phishing attempts. Microsoft Defender ATP integrates with Azure to protect cloud workloads while offering endpoint protection and advanced threat detection for critical infrastructure.
Conclusion
As businesses navigate their way through a ubiquitous environment, Microsoft provides the perfect solution with its vast portfolio of products and services that cater to an organization’s needs. Going into 2021, Microsoft Cloud Computing and AI, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Surface Products, Microsoft Dynamic 365 Commerce, and Microsoft Security will shape how organizations do business with each other and their customers. It’s time to embrace the change and re-imagine your business processes with Microsoft.
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