40 Each year, thousands of people gather at Microsoft Ignite to discover the latest technology trends. Hundreds of these attendees participate in hands-on lab sessions to explore the latest Microsoft product features and, in some cases, become certified in using those new capabilities. Since the early 2000s, Microsoft has partnered with Skillable (formerly Learn on Demand Systems) to deliver immersive hands-on experiences that fully engage customers, partners and employees. Fast forward 20 years and the technology landscape has evolved, but the value of working inside the technology remains – as does the partnership between Microsoft and Skillable. The two organisations have leveraged interactive experiences to drive tangible business value, making labs a critical component of Ignite and other Microsoft events. Microsoft events routinely attract thousands of attendees, meaning they require a lab solution that can scale to accommodate thousands of concurrent users without unexpected downtime. The Skillable lab platform enables Microsoft to offer 30- to 60-minute hands-on experiences in live, non-production environments. Attendees can engage with various types of exercises, including step-bystep walkthroughs teaching them how to use a feature and challenge-focused scenarios designed to test their technical abilities. Microsoft offers in-person Ignite attendees the opportunity to take one Microsoft and one GitHub certification exam on-site for free. Skillable supports these exams and aims to create a smooth and stress-free experience for participants. Behind the scenes, Microsoft psychometricians configure the lab environments to include performance-based testing features that validate candidates’ knowledge retention and accurately measure their technical skill, all while maintaining exam integrity. Over the years, hands-on labs have consistently remained one of the most popular elements for attendees. At Ignite 2024, Microsoft and Skillable delivered 119 lab sessions covering Microsoft 365, Azure and Copilot, with attendees collectively gaining over 1,100 certifications. The Skillable team plays a crucial role in building an enjoyable and seamless experience in the lab rooms. Most technical attendees at Hundreds of attendees participate in lab sessions at events like Microsoft Ignite to learn about new Microsoft product features and gain technical certifications. Skillable plays a vital role in ensuring they run successfully MARKETWATCH: MICROSOFT IGNITE Igniting innovation with hands-on labs
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