Microsoft is showcasing how it is infusing cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality across its products, at the Microsoft Ignite conference in Orlando, Florida, which starts today.

The company aims to help customers to “hit refresh” and digitally transform their businesses. It has announced the expansion of Microsoft 365, which brings together Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security.

Two new versions of the product have been launched: Microsoft 365 F1 for workers who serve as the first point of contact between a company and its customers; and Microsoft 365 Education, which gives students and staff everything they need to create and collaborate, securely.

Microsoft is also introducing plans to bring Skype for Business Online capabilities into Microsoft Teams, so that it becomes a chat, voice and video hub for teamwork in Office 365.

AI and machine learning will contribute to ‘intelligent search experiences’, to deliver more relevant search results throughout Microsoft 365.

Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of the cloud and enterprise group in Microsoft, said that advancements to Azure can remove cloud barriers for enterprises. “Cloud is no longer about who has more features; it’s about how successful you can be with the cloud. With our depth of enterprise understanding and grit to do the complex technology work, Azure uniquely unlocks cloud-based success for all of our customers”.

Discussing the unification of CRM and ERP systems within Dynamics 365, James Phillips, corporate vice president at Microsoft business applications group, said: “We believe there is a better way and our vision, quite simply, is to make it easy for every business—and every business function—to transform how people work.”

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