We really are fortunate to have such an amazing group of Affiliate Partners and we are excited to have a successful holiday season with you!
Regards,
Microsoft Affiliate Program Team
Shop the Microsoft Holiday Gift Guide!
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2016
Microsoft Kickoff Holiday Newsletter
We are excited to launch a weekly newsletter to provide you the promo insights you need to know for this holiday season. Please expect a newsletter from us every Monday with the details of Holiday Offers to Prioritize, Top Product Offers, & Upcoming Offers to Prioritize. If you need special banner assets, our turnaround time is typically 3-4 days so please let us know if there are any opportunities that arise that fits within our timeframe to execute. Also, keep an eye out for our Black Friday Sneak Preview newsletter set to launch 11/14!
We really are fortunate to have such an amazing group of Affiliate Partners and we are excited to have a successful holiday season with you!
Regards,
Microsoft Affiliate Program Team
Shop the Microsoft Holiday Gift Guide!
We really are fortunate to have such an amazing group of Affiliate Partners and we are excited to have a successful holiday season with you!
Regards,
Microsoft Affiliate Program Team
Shop the Microsoft Holiday Gift Guide!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Clickable Artwork: Express Yourself With Microsoft Mice
Microsoft today announced the release of five new Limited Edition Artist Series mice and three bold, new colors. The new designs and colors represent the growing trend of technology as a form of self-expression in mobile computing.
You picked that snappy wardrobe, the trendy haircut, and the stylish art for your walls. There’s no reason, then, that self-expression should stop short of technology.
Today Microsoft Hardware is expanding its collection of Artist Series mice with the release of five new designs that help infuse color, life and personality into your computing experience.
The art of Calvin Ho, Dana McClure, Matt Lyon, Yellena James and Zansky – from Australia, New York, the United Kingdom, Portland, Oregon, and Brazil, respectively – will be printed on the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 (US$29.95).
“We approached artists we really liked — some of which are emerging, and some of which have been around for a long time,” said Lindsey Kujawski, a user experience designer for Microsoft Hardware. “A lot of them are excited to work in a different medium than they’re used to. It’s such a cool thing for these artists to get their names out there, and to know that their work will be in people’s hands all over the world.”
Kujawski said Microsoft uses printing technologies that turn the mice into a blank canvas, and the art is transferred at very high resolutions.
“For someone who uses watercolors, we can even capture the texture of the watercolor painter. For a painter who uses a collage style, we can see the thickness of the paint,” she said. “It translates the artists’ work really well.”
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 has an ambidextrous design; a two-color battery indicator light; 2.4Hz wireless connection; snap-in transceiver that can stay your computer’s USB or be stored in the bottom of the mouse; and BlueTrack technology to help the mouse work on virtually any surface, including a park bench, granite countertops, or the living room rug.
There are new mice available in solid colors, including cyan blue and magenta on the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and both colors plus flame red on the Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000 (US$24.95).
The consumer appetite for stylish, expressive technology and technological accessories is on the rise, in part due to the growth of mobile computing, Kujawski said.
“As computers become smaller and smaller, we see people taking them out of the home more and more,” she said. “When they do that, they start to be aware of how their devices are a reflection of themselves. So you see people put more effort into making their technology reflect their personality, whether it’s an Artist Series mouse, a pink computer, or a bumper sticker. People use that as an outlet of self-expression — it’s really cool.”
Kujawski said Microsoft has a history of giving consumers options to customize their technology — the artist-inspired mice are just the latest.
“Microsoft was pretty early to the game — we’ve been dabbling in it for a while. At one point Microsoft even released a leather-covered mouse. There were also a couple of back-to-college campaigns where mice matched bedding and clothing,” she said.
Along with the rise in mobile computing, one of the turning points for technological self-expression is when Microsoft Hardware started being sold at lifestyle stores such as Target rather than solely at electronics stores, she said.
Whether people choose to personalize their hardware such as mice or keyboards, or personalize by customizing their user interface in Windows Phone or Windows 8, consumers want to be able to be unique, she said.
“Having the colors or artwork you want, but also having the setup you want — I think that’s really important to customers,” she said.
In fact, she believes style and personalization will be a key part of technology in the future.
“I think it’s integral,” she said. “It’s what customers are used to, and it’s what they expect. Their technology should feel natural and like their own, and Microsoft will always find a way to try to give customers that feeling.”
You picked that snappy wardrobe, the trendy haircut, and the stylish art for your walls. There’s no reason, then, that self-expression should stop short of technology.
Today Microsoft Hardware is expanding its collection of Artist Series mice with the release of five new designs that help infuse color, life and personality into your computing experience.
The art of Calvin Ho, Dana McClure, Matt Lyon, Yellena James and Zansky – from Australia, New York, the United Kingdom, Portland, Oregon, and Brazil, respectively – will be printed on the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 (US$29.95).
“We approached artists we really liked — some of which are emerging, and some of which have been around for a long time,” said Lindsey Kujawski, a user experience designer for Microsoft Hardware. “A lot of them are excited to work in a different medium than they’re used to. It’s such a cool thing for these artists to get their names out there, and to know that their work will be in people’s hands all over the world.”
Kujawski said Microsoft uses printing technologies that turn the mice into a blank canvas, and the art is transferred at very high resolutions.
“For someone who uses watercolors, we can even capture the texture of the watercolor painter. For a painter who uses a collage style, we can see the thickness of the paint,” she said. “It translates the artists’ work really well.”
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 has an ambidextrous design; a two-color battery indicator light; 2.4Hz wireless connection; snap-in transceiver that can stay your computer’s USB or be stored in the bottom of the mouse; and BlueTrack technology to help the mouse work on virtually any surface, including a park bench, granite countertops, or the living room rug.
There are new mice available in solid colors, including cyan blue and magenta on the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and both colors plus flame red on the Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000 (US$24.95).
The consumer appetite for stylish, expressive technology and technological accessories is on the rise, in part due to the growth of mobile computing, Kujawski said.
“As computers become smaller and smaller, we see people taking them out of the home more and more,” she said. “When they do that, they start to be aware of how their devices are a reflection of themselves. So you see people put more effort into making their technology reflect their personality, whether it’s an Artist Series mouse, a pink computer, or a bumper sticker. People use that as an outlet of self-expression — it’s really cool.”
Kujawski said Microsoft has a history of giving consumers options to customize their technology — the artist-inspired mice are just the latest.
“Microsoft was pretty early to the game — we’ve been dabbling in it for a while. At one point Microsoft even released a leather-covered mouse. There were also a couple of back-to-college campaigns where mice matched bedding and clothing,” she said.
Along with the rise in mobile computing, one of the turning points for technological self-expression is when Microsoft Hardware started being sold at lifestyle stores such as Target rather than solely at electronics stores, she said.
Whether people choose to personalize their hardware such as mice or keyboards, or personalize by customizing their user interface in Windows Phone or Windows 8, consumers want to be able to be unique, she said.
“Having the colors or artwork you want, but also having the setup you want — I think that’s really important to customers,” she said.
In fact, she believes style and personalization will be a key part of technology in the future.
“I think it’s integral,” she said. “It’s what customers are used to, and it’s what they expect. Their technology should feel natural and like their own, and Microsoft will always find a way to try to give customers that feeling.”
Microsoft Hardware Debuts Windows 8 Keyboard With Split Backspace-Spacebar Key
Designed for productivity and comfort, the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard is the perfect Windows 8 desktop companion.
Building on its previously announced lineup of Windows 8 hardware peripherals, Microsoft Corp. today introduced the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, an ergonomic keyboard featuring an enlarged split spacebar with optional backspace functionality that enhances typing efficiency and speed. From its thoughtful design and ergonomic shape to the Windows 8-specific keys, the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard is the perfect Windows 8 desktop companion for productivity and comfort.
Research and Design
With the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, Microsoft is introducing its first keyboard to feature a split backspace-spacebar key. This design choice is the result of internal research that showed 90 percent of typists use only their right thumb to press the spacebar, leaving a lot of unused real estate on the left side of the bar. Research also showed the backspace key is the third most pressed key on the keyboard — behind the spacebar itself and the letter “e” — but constantly striking backspace breaks a person’s typing stride because of its location on the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. In response to these findings, Microsoft made two adjustments to help increase typing efficiency and speed:
• Increased the width of the spacebar to make the bar easier to strike.
• Split the spacebar to make use of the neglected left-hand side as an extra backspace key.
Ergonomics
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard’s advanced ergonomics are the result of many unique design features. In addition to increasing typing efficiency, the keyboard’s split spacebar also improves ergonomics by virtually eliminating the awkward “pinky reach” to the standard backspace key, keeping wrists in a comfortable position. The keyboard also sports Microsoft’s own Contour Curve design, which features a six-degree bend in the keyboard layout with a dome-shaped arc to help promote a comfortable, neutral wrist position while keeping keys within easy reach. Its removable palm rest can be used for added comfort or easily detached with the press of a button for a sleek, compact look.
Designed by Microsoft, Optimized for Windows
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard also includes several keys that give customers quick access to the most commonly used Windows 8 features, including Search, Share, Device and Settings hot keys and an updated Windows key. With its wireless USB connectivity, the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard also reduces the unnecessary clutter of wires.
“With Microsoft’s new lineup of Windows 8 peripherals, we designed every piece of hardware to provide the best Windows experience possible on any device,” said Brett Kelleran, general manager of Microsoft Hardware. “The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard brings the best of Microsoft to the desktop — advanced ergonomics, improved productivity, great design and features optimized for Windows.”
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard will be available soon at the online Microsoft Store and other participating retailers. Estimated retail price is US$59.95.
About Microsoft Hardware
For 30 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between customers and their PCs. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware-software compatibility, offering customers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Building on its previously announced lineup of Windows 8 hardware peripherals, Microsoft Corp. today introduced the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, an ergonomic keyboard featuring an enlarged split spacebar with optional backspace functionality that enhances typing efficiency and speed. From its thoughtful design and ergonomic shape to the Windows 8-specific keys, the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard is the perfect Windows 8 desktop companion for productivity and comfort.
Research and Design
With the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, Microsoft is introducing its first keyboard to feature a split backspace-spacebar key. This design choice is the result of internal research that showed 90 percent of typists use only their right thumb to press the spacebar, leaving a lot of unused real estate on the left side of the bar. Research also showed the backspace key is the third most pressed key on the keyboard — behind the spacebar itself and the letter “e” — but constantly striking backspace breaks a person’s typing stride because of its location on the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. In response to these findings, Microsoft made two adjustments to help increase typing efficiency and speed:
• Increased the width of the spacebar to make the bar easier to strike.
• Split the spacebar to make use of the neglected left-hand side as an extra backspace key.
Ergonomics
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard’s advanced ergonomics are the result of many unique design features. In addition to increasing typing efficiency, the keyboard’s split spacebar also improves ergonomics by virtually eliminating the awkward “pinky reach” to the standard backspace key, keeping wrists in a comfortable position. The keyboard also sports Microsoft’s own Contour Curve design, which features a six-degree bend in the keyboard layout with a dome-shaped arc to help promote a comfortable, neutral wrist position while keeping keys within easy reach. Its removable palm rest can be used for added comfort or easily detached with the press of a button for a sleek, compact look.
Designed by Microsoft, Optimized for Windows
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard also includes several keys that give customers quick access to the most commonly used Windows 8 features, including Search, Share, Device and Settings hot keys and an updated Windows key. With its wireless USB connectivity, the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard also reduces the unnecessary clutter of wires.
“With Microsoft’s new lineup of Windows 8 peripherals, we designed every piece of hardware to provide the best Windows experience possible on any device,” said Brett Kelleran, general manager of Microsoft Hardware. “The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard brings the best of Microsoft to the desktop — advanced ergonomics, improved productivity, great design and features optimized for Windows.”
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard will be available soon at the online Microsoft Store and other participating retailers. Estimated retail price is US$59.95.
About Microsoft Hardware
For 30 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between customers and their PCs. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware-software compatibility, offering customers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Type in Comfort With New Windows 8 Keyboard
Microsoft unveils the Windows 8-enabled Sculpt Comfort Keyboard, which joins a growing number of peripherals aimed at delivering a healthy computing experience.
Logging long hours at a computer is a bit like running a marathon, only it’s your fingers and forearms that pound the proverbial pavement – and most of us return to the starting line the very next day.
Like a marathon, all that typing can cause pain. Left unchecked it can become a repetitive stress injury (RSI). So just as runners need the right shoes, office workers need the right equipment to comfortably grind out the miles.
Today, Microsoft Hardware announced the newest member of its ergonomic lineup, the Windows 8-enabled Sculpt Comfort Keyboard. The keyboard includes a number of ergonomic features designed for maximum comfort and efficiency, including a contoured layout, a detachable padded palm rest, and a split backspace-spacebar key.
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard is part of Microsoft Hardware’s ongoing efforts to keep its customers comfortable as they spend ever-increasing hours on their computers, says Suneel Goud, senior product marketing manager in Microsoft Hardware.
“At the end of the day, we want our customers to have a great computing experience,” Goud says. “And that comes from both the software experience and the hardware peripherals used to interface with the computer. Our lineup of keyboards and mice are designed to keep our customers comfortable and to keep them healthy by helping to reduce the risks associated with repetitive stress injuries.”
For businesses, ergonomics can have big economic implications. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that RSIs cost employers US$15-20 billion a year, with employees missing an average of 12 days of work and making US$38,500 in worker’s comp claims.
Goud encourages everyone to take a look at Microsoft Hardware’s ergonomic lineup and create a comfortable workstation for themselves. Certified ergonomists help design, test and approve peripherals from Microsoft Hardware, and the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard reflects a vast body of research. For example, it’s the first Microsoft keyboard to feature a split backspace-spacebar key. Internal research at Microsoft shows that more than 90 percent of people hit the spacebar with their right thumb, leaving the left side virtually untouched. (Go ahead, look at your keyboard – you’ll probably notice a shiny spot on the right-hand side where your thumb strikes.) That’s a lot of wasted real estate.
At the same time, the backspace key is the third-most used on the keyboard – perhaps a comment on our collective typing skills – trailing only the spacebar itself and the letter ‘e.’ These statistics led Microsoft to split the spacebar and add optional backspace functionality into the left-hand side. The result aims to improve both ergonomics and typing efficiency.
(If all that change is overwhelming, don’t worry. The default mode is the standard keyboard set up we’ve used for years; customers must activate the split functionality.)
Microsoft also increased the actual size of the space bar, making it easier to strike, since it’s the most frequently used key; included a palm lift to straighten and support wrists; and added Windows 8 hot keys so customers can quickly search, share, access device settings and more with the tap of a finger.
Goud notes that RSIs are often the accumulation of smaller injuries, and people often neglect the warning signs. He speaks from experience. When Goud first joined Microsoft on the U.S. Retail team, he noticed carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. He ignored them for a while, then started taking frequent breaks. Finally he picked up the Microsoft Natural Desktop Ergonomic 7000 keyboard.
The pain went away and never came back.
Logging long hours at a computer is a bit like running a marathon, only it’s your fingers and forearms that pound the proverbial pavement – and most of us return to the starting line the very next day.
Like a marathon, all that typing can cause pain. Left unchecked it can become a repetitive stress injury (RSI). So just as runners need the right shoes, office workers need the right equipment to comfortably grind out the miles.
Today, Microsoft Hardware announced the newest member of its ergonomic lineup, the Windows 8-enabled Sculpt Comfort Keyboard. The keyboard includes a number of ergonomic features designed for maximum comfort and efficiency, including a contoured layout, a detachable padded palm rest, and a split backspace-spacebar key.
The Sculpt Comfort Keyboard is part of Microsoft Hardware’s ongoing efforts to keep its customers comfortable as they spend ever-increasing hours on their computers, says Suneel Goud, senior product marketing manager in Microsoft Hardware.
“At the end of the day, we want our customers to have a great computing experience,” Goud says. “And that comes from both the software experience and the hardware peripherals used to interface with the computer. Our lineup of keyboards and mice are designed to keep our customers comfortable and to keep them healthy by helping to reduce the risks associated with repetitive stress injuries.”
For businesses, ergonomics can have big economic implications. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that RSIs cost employers US$15-20 billion a year, with employees missing an average of 12 days of work and making US$38,500 in worker’s comp claims.
Goud encourages everyone to take a look at Microsoft Hardware’s ergonomic lineup and create a comfortable workstation for themselves. Certified ergonomists help design, test and approve peripherals from Microsoft Hardware, and the Sculpt Comfort Keyboard reflects a vast body of research. For example, it’s the first Microsoft keyboard to feature a split backspace-spacebar key. Internal research at Microsoft shows that more than 90 percent of people hit the spacebar with their right thumb, leaving the left side virtually untouched. (Go ahead, look at your keyboard – you’ll probably notice a shiny spot on the right-hand side where your thumb strikes.) That’s a lot of wasted real estate.
At the same time, the backspace key is the third-most used on the keyboard – perhaps a comment on our collective typing skills – trailing only the spacebar itself and the letter ‘e.’ These statistics led Microsoft to split the spacebar and add optional backspace functionality into the left-hand side. The result aims to improve both ergonomics and typing efficiency.
(If all that change is overwhelming, don’t worry. The default mode is the standard keyboard set up we’ve used for years; customers must activate the split functionality.)
Microsoft also increased the actual size of the space bar, making it easier to strike, since it’s the most frequently used key; included a palm lift to straighten and support wrists; and added Windows 8 hot keys so customers can quickly search, share, access device settings and more with the tap of a finger.
Goud notes that RSIs are often the accumulation of smaller injuries, and people often neglect the warning signs. He speaks from experience. When Goud first joined Microsoft on the U.S. Retail team, he noticed carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. He ignored them for a while, then started taking frequent breaks. Finally he picked up the Microsoft Natural Desktop Ergonomic 7000 keyboard.
The pain went away and never came back.
Microsoft Surface Now Available at Microsoft Retail Stores
With the global availability of Windows 8 and Windows RT, customers can buy Microsoft Surface at 27 retail and 34 holiday stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Microsoft Corp. today announced that its new PC, Microsoft Surface, is now available for purchase at all Microsoft retail, holiday and online stores in the United States and Canada. Designed to be the ultimate stage for Windows RT, Surface is unique and represents exceptional value, providing an immersive entertainment experience and a foundation for getting things done. With a starting price of US$499, Surface will be available online at http://www.microsoftstore.com in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. In China and Hong Kong, Surface will be available online at Suning.
A variety of Surface accessories are also available for purchase, including Touch Covers in five vibrant colors — black, white, magenta, cyan and red — priced at US$119.99, so customers can express their personal style. Customers also have the option to purchase a Type Cover in black for US$129.99, which adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
At all Microsoft retail and holiday store locations, knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer questions and help with Windows RT and Surface setup, so customers can have a great out-of-the-box experience and walk out the door with a product that is personalized for them.
First unveiled in June, Surface represents an extension of the Windows experience, letting customers work, play and connect with others. From its ultralight durable casing, integrated kickstand and Touch Cover, which allow customers to be productive anywhere, to a full-sized USB port, 16:9 widescreen, high-definition display and 22-degree angle that make it optimal for viewing and sharing content easily, Surface lets customers seamlessly transition between entertainment and creation.
Microsoft Corp. today announced that its new PC, Microsoft Surface, is now available for purchase at all Microsoft retail, holiday and online stores in the United States and Canada. Designed to be the ultimate stage for Windows RT, Surface is unique and represents exceptional value, providing an immersive entertainment experience and a foundation for getting things done. With a starting price of US$499, Surface will be available online at http://www.microsoftstore.com in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. In China and Hong Kong, Surface will be available online at Suning.
A variety of Surface accessories are also available for purchase, including Touch Covers in five vibrant colors — black, white, magenta, cyan and red — priced at US$119.99, so customers can express their personal style. Customers also have the option to purchase a Type Cover in black for US$129.99, which adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
At all Microsoft retail and holiday store locations, knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer questions and help with Windows RT and Surface setup, so customers can have a great out-of-the-box experience and walk out the door with a product that is personalized for them.
First unveiled in June, Surface represents an extension of the Windows experience, letting customers work, play and connect with others. From its ultralight durable casing, integrated kickstand and Touch Cover, which allow customers to be productive anywhere, to a full-sized USB port, 16:9 widescreen, high-definition display and 22-degree angle that make it optimal for viewing and sharing content easily, Surface lets customers seamlessly transition between entertainment and creation.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Oil and Gas Industry Sees Boom in High-Tech Collaboration
The oil and gas industry has realized that keeping information flowing among its workers is key to continued flow in its pipelines.
According to a survey released today at Microsoft’s Global Energy Forum in Houston, oil and gas professionals are relying more than ever on collaboration – and real-time collaboration tools like social networking – to get their jobs done and remain competitive within their industry. The survey, conducted by Microsoft and Accenture, shows that the global nature of the oil and gas industry is driving the demand for real-time information and knowledge sharing, said Craig Hodges, Microsoft’s general manager of U.S. Manufacturing and Resources.
“Whether it’s in the same office building or across the globe, these folks have a strong need for collaboration both inside and outside of their companies,” Hodges said. “This industry is very concerned about safety and security, but these results show big progress in the area of collaboration.”
The survey of 205 professionals at oil- and gas-related companies from around the world found that nearly three-fourths are using social media tools for business collaboration, a significant increase over last year’s survey responses (62 percent). Overall, professionals are collaborating more than ever, with 34 percent reporting that they are collaborating more this year than last.
“Only 24 months ago, none of this would have been on people's radar screens,” Hodges said. “But today 84 percent of respondents said that they have the ability to contact colleagues anytime, from anyplace, on any device. To me, that's a pretty strong indicator of great momentum in adoption of these tools.”
The goal of the survey, the third annual survey commissioned by Microsoft and Accenture, was to capture what is driving increased collaboration among oil and gas professionals and determine current thinking about the business value of collaboration tools to enhance processes and workflows. Hodges said the results support industry trends and build upon the feedback from last year’s survey. They also helped identify areas where cloud services can drive collaboration and innovation.
“The industry is beginning to wake up to see the cloud as a vehicle to drive their business and increase collaboration,” he said. "Cloud computing holds enormous promise not only in accelerating the implementation and adoption of technology, but also in creating the ability for oil and gas professionals to collaborate around the world.” That means greater business agility and increased operational efficiency and profitability, he added.
As the geographical and demographic landscape of the oil and gas industry continues to evolve, the workforce will require new technologies that better connect people, data and resources across continents and supply chains, Hodges said. The energy sector faces some of the biggest management problems on the planet – wild swings in supply and demand, volatile prices, and shifting worldwide energy policies have made oil and gas exploration and production more complex than ever.
At the Global Energy Forum, Microsoft is showcasing how its products can help companies face these challenges. “Our technology toolkit is well-suited to be applied to the problems these companies face day in and day out,” Hodges said.
At the conference, companies will learn how they can use Windows Phone 7 to build applications that enable them to do business on a smartphone, for example. Microsoft Lync will be used to illustrate the benefits of unified communications and presence. And attendees will see how Microsoft StreamInsight can help companies uncover hidden patterns of data to provide insights and help solve problems.
Several Microsoft partners will talk about their experiences with Microsoft technologies. For example, a member of the board of directors at Bharat Petroleum, one of India’s largest companies, will use Lync to give a video presentation on its use of Microsoft’s unified communications tools. Shell will talk about its use of Microsoft Online Services to drive its vision for increased collaboration. And Chevron and industry standards group Energistics will showcase their experience with the Windows Azure platform and SQL Azure to utilize data more effectively.
Hodges said that the push toward unifying communications in the cloud will likely continue as oil and gas professionals becoming increasingly spread out around the world.
“Like every other industry, oil and gas companies are trying to do more with less, and it becomes even more important to move strategically and swiftly,” he said. “This is especially true in the oil and gas industries, where the availability of natural resources is constantly in flux and decision-making – often between business units spread across the globe – needs to happen swiftly. The cloud can address this need with flexibility, agility and cost efficiency.”
According to a survey released today at Microsoft’s Global Energy Forum in Houston, oil and gas professionals are relying more than ever on collaboration – and real-time collaboration tools like social networking – to get their jobs done and remain competitive within their industry. The survey, conducted by Microsoft and Accenture, shows that the global nature of the oil and gas industry is driving the demand for real-time information and knowledge sharing, said Craig Hodges, Microsoft’s general manager of U.S. Manufacturing and Resources.
“Whether it’s in the same office building or across the globe, these folks have a strong need for collaboration both inside and outside of their companies,” Hodges said. “This industry is very concerned about safety and security, but these results show big progress in the area of collaboration.”
The survey of 205 professionals at oil- and gas-related companies from around the world found that nearly three-fourths are using social media tools for business collaboration, a significant increase over last year’s survey responses (62 percent). Overall, professionals are collaborating more than ever, with 34 percent reporting that they are collaborating more this year than last.
“Only 24 months ago, none of this would have been on people's radar screens,” Hodges said. “But today 84 percent of respondents said that they have the ability to contact colleagues anytime, from anyplace, on any device. To me, that's a pretty strong indicator of great momentum in adoption of these tools.”
The goal of the survey, the third annual survey commissioned by Microsoft and Accenture, was to capture what is driving increased collaboration among oil and gas professionals and determine current thinking about the business value of collaboration tools to enhance processes and workflows. Hodges said the results support industry trends and build upon the feedback from last year’s survey. They also helped identify areas where cloud services can drive collaboration and innovation.
“The industry is beginning to wake up to see the cloud as a vehicle to drive their business and increase collaboration,” he said. "Cloud computing holds enormous promise not only in accelerating the implementation and adoption of technology, but also in creating the ability for oil and gas professionals to collaborate around the world.” That means greater business agility and increased operational efficiency and profitability, he added.
As the geographical and demographic landscape of the oil and gas industry continues to evolve, the workforce will require new technologies that better connect people, data and resources across continents and supply chains, Hodges said. The energy sector faces some of the biggest management problems on the planet – wild swings in supply and demand, volatile prices, and shifting worldwide energy policies have made oil and gas exploration and production more complex than ever.
At the Global Energy Forum, Microsoft is showcasing how its products can help companies face these challenges. “Our technology toolkit is well-suited to be applied to the problems these companies face day in and day out,” Hodges said.
At the conference, companies will learn how they can use Windows Phone 7 to build applications that enable them to do business on a smartphone, for example. Microsoft Lync will be used to illustrate the benefits of unified communications and presence. And attendees will see how Microsoft StreamInsight can help companies uncover hidden patterns of data to provide insights and help solve problems.
Several Microsoft partners will talk about their experiences with Microsoft technologies. For example, a member of the board of directors at Bharat Petroleum, one of India’s largest companies, will use Lync to give a video presentation on its use of Microsoft’s unified communications tools. Shell will talk about its use of Microsoft Online Services to drive its vision for increased collaboration. And Chevron and industry standards group Energistics will showcase their experience with the Windows Azure platform and SQL Azure to utilize data more effectively.
Hodges said that the push toward unifying communications in the cloud will likely continue as oil and gas professionals becoming increasingly spread out around the world.
“Like every other industry, oil and gas companies are trying to do more with less, and it becomes even more important to move strategically and swiftly,” he said. “This is especially true in the oil and gas industries, where the availability of natural resources is constantly in flux and decision-making – often between business units spread across the globe – needs to happen swiftly. The cloud can address this need with flexibility, agility and cost efficiency.”
Adoption of Real-Time Collaboration Technologies Continues to Grow Among Oil and Gas Professionals, According to Microsoft and Accenture Survey
Oil and gas professionals are collaborating more than they did one year ago and are adopting the use of social media tools into their daily work, according to a Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) survey released today at the Microsoft Global Energy Forum 2011 in Houston.
The survey of 205 professionals within international, national and independent oil- and gas-related companies found that nearly three-fourths (74 percent) are using social media for business collaboration — a significant increase over last year’s survey responses (62 percent). Public instant-messaging tools are used the most for business collaboration (38 percent, an 11 percent increase over last year), followed by internal company social networks (33 percent, a 17 percent increase over last year).
Overall, professionals are working together more than ever, with 34 percent reporting that they are collaborating more this year than in the previous year. This trend is anticipated to grow in coming years, primarily because of the aging oil and gas industry work force that must prepare its younger generation to take on leadership roles. Almost a third of respondents (31 percent) said that improved technology-driven access to information could lessen the business impact resulting from the scarcity of skills and talent stemming from the aging work force.
In addition, the global nature of the oil and gas industry is driving the demand for the ability to collaborate from anywhere, at any time, using any device for real-time information and knowledge sharing. However, this ability is often hindered by what survey respondents identified as the biggest barriers for collaboration: broken workflows that prevent information flow (47 percent) and no unified solution for knowledge sharing (45 percent).
To address these collaboration barriers, respondents identified that the following technology enhancements are needed to further a company’s success: improved timing to streamline decision-making (52 percent), improved interaction capability through any device (42 percent), and improved computing power for data analysis and computer simulation (35 percent).
“As the industry continues to expand globally with workers dispersed across multiple regions, oil and gas companies are challenged to find new, innovative ways to help employees collaborate and share information remotely, in a security-enhanced manner,” said Craig Hodges, general manager of U.S. Manufacturing and Resources at Microsoft. “The cloud is driving this business transformation, providing flexibility, agility and cost reductions to the enterprise and providing information workers with anytime, anyplace access to information, across a wide variety of connected smart devices, powered by Windows.”
“Diversification, developments in oil and gas technology, talent, and regulatory policies are just a few factors demanding oil and gas companies to make information available to their work forces and partners in a timely and efficient manner,” said Brian Miller, senior executive in the energy industry group at Accenture. “The survey results show the industry’s recognition of the strategic benefits in utilizing IT solutions such as cloud computing, enabling easier accessibility to data and knowledge sharing within a security-enhanced environment. Companies need to accelerate the implementation of these solutions to help them innovate, operate more successfully in dynamic environments, and increase their productivity and business performance.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 211,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$21.6 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2010.
The survey of 205 professionals within international, national and independent oil- and gas-related companies found that nearly three-fourths (74 percent) are using social media for business collaboration — a significant increase over last year’s survey responses (62 percent). Public instant-messaging tools are used the most for business collaboration (38 percent, an 11 percent increase over last year), followed by internal company social networks (33 percent, a 17 percent increase over last year).
Overall, professionals are working together more than ever, with 34 percent reporting that they are collaborating more this year than in the previous year. This trend is anticipated to grow in coming years, primarily because of the aging oil and gas industry work force that must prepare its younger generation to take on leadership roles. Almost a third of respondents (31 percent) said that improved technology-driven access to information could lessen the business impact resulting from the scarcity of skills and talent stemming from the aging work force.
In addition, the global nature of the oil and gas industry is driving the demand for the ability to collaborate from anywhere, at any time, using any device for real-time information and knowledge sharing. However, this ability is often hindered by what survey respondents identified as the biggest barriers for collaboration: broken workflows that prevent information flow (47 percent) and no unified solution for knowledge sharing (45 percent).
To address these collaboration barriers, respondents identified that the following technology enhancements are needed to further a company’s success: improved timing to streamline decision-making (52 percent), improved interaction capability through any device (42 percent), and improved computing power for data analysis and computer simulation (35 percent).
“As the industry continues to expand globally with workers dispersed across multiple regions, oil and gas companies are challenged to find new, innovative ways to help employees collaborate and share information remotely, in a security-enhanced manner,” said Craig Hodges, general manager of U.S. Manufacturing and Resources at Microsoft. “The cloud is driving this business transformation, providing flexibility, agility and cost reductions to the enterprise and providing information workers with anytime, anyplace access to information, across a wide variety of connected smart devices, powered by Windows.”
“Diversification, developments in oil and gas technology, talent, and regulatory policies are just a few factors demanding oil and gas companies to make information available to their work forces and partners in a timely and efficient manner,” said Brian Miller, senior executive in the energy industry group at Accenture. “The survey results show the industry’s recognition of the strategic benefits in utilizing IT solutions such as cloud computing, enabling easier accessibility to data and knowledge sharing within a security-enhanced environment. Companies need to accelerate the implementation of these solutions to help them innovate, operate more successfully in dynamic environments, and increase their productivity and business performance.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 211,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$21.6 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2010.
Organizations Speed Business Results With New Appliances From HP and Microsoft
HP and Microsoft Corp. today announced a portfolio of four new converged application appliances that fuse applications, infrastructure and productivity tools into a single system. These solutions help organizations optimize employee productivity and decision-making, while simplifying the delivery of applications for IT. The HP Business Decision Appliance is available now to run business intelligence services, and the HP E5000 Messaging System for Microsoft Exchange Server is planned to be available in 45 days to run messaging services. Two other appliances are expected to be available later this year.
Until now there have been two ways to deploy critical business applications: highly customized deployments that take too long or proprietary stacks of applications and infrastructure that are inherently rigid and slow to change. The result is only 32 percent of IT projects that deliver critical business applications are rated as “successful” by the organizations implementing them.
Delivering on the companies’ extended partnership announced a year ago, the new converged application appliances from HP and Microsoft are the industry’s first systems designed for IT, as well as end users. They deliver application services such as business intelligence, data warehousing, online transaction processing and messaging. The jointly engineered appliances, and related consulting and support services, enable IT to deliver critical business applications in as little as one hour, compared with potentially months needed for traditional systems. One of the solutions already offered by HP and Microsoft — the HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance — delivers up to 200 times faster queries and 10 times the scalability of traditional Microsoft SQL Server deployments.4
“Customers are looking to significantly reduce implementation and decision times,” said Mark Potter, senior vice president and general manager, Industry Standard Servers and Software, HP. “With our converged application appliances, HP and Microsoft enable customers to shorten the time required to deliver information, which helps to reduce risk and cost.”
“Microsoft and HP are helping IT professionals fight their biggest foes — time and complexity,” said Ted Kummert, senior vice president, Business Platform Division, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft. “With these appliances, we’re helping to put critical business information in our customers’ hands when they need it.”
Expanding the Reach of Business Intelligence
With the HP Business Decision Appliance, HP and Microsoft have greatly reduced the time and effort it takes for IT to configure, deploy and manage a comprehensive business intelligence solution, compared with a traditional business intelligence solution where applications, infrastructure and productivity tools are not pre-integrated. This appliance is optimized for Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft SharePoint and can be installed and configured by IT in less than one hour.
The solution enables end users to share data analyses built with Microsoft’s award-winning5 PowerPivot for Excel 2010 and collaborate with others in SharePoint 2010. It allows IT to centrally audit, monitor and manage solutions created by end users from a single dashboard.
Red Wing Shoe Company, a worldwide manufacturer and retailer of premium work shoes and boots, was an early adopter of the HP Business Decision Appliance through GNet, an HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partner.
“We were intrigued by the idea that we could implement a turnkey solution that was fully integrated into our environment with minimal effort,” said Mike Cleary, director, IT Architecture and Operations, Red Wing Shoe Company. “Previously, to install all the required software and configure the components would have taken us several days. Now not only our business analysts but the broader user community can use a familiar tool, Microsoft Excel, to create and analyze data in new and unique ways.”
Scalable from midsize organizations to large enterprise environments, converged application appliances also offer HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners such as GNet significant sales opportunities. Because the appliances are open, based on industry standards, and can be integrated into heterogeneous data centers, they are ideal offerings for channel partners.
The HP Business Data Warehouse Appliance is a data store designed for small and midsize businesses that delivers enterprise-class functionality with increased simplicity and administrator-free operation. This appliance complements the HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance, which is designed for large organizations, is optimized for SQL Server 2008 R2, and was introduced in November. The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance improves data access with massive scalability and faster queries than traditional SQL Server databases. Through interoperability with the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform, customers can deliver managed business intelligence solutions to everyone in an organization.
Enterprise-Class Messaging in Hours
The new HP E5000 Messaging System for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is the industry’s first self-contained, preconfigured platform for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 that delivers enterprise-class messaging to businesses of all sizes. This messaging system, which can be deployed in as little as a few hours, delivers large mailboxes at a low cost, centralized archiving and 24x7 access from any device, and it can scale as business needs grow.
Customers benefit from built-in features such as the HP Quick Deployment tool, which validates configuration and active directory permissions to enable faster implementation. In addition, compatibility between management tools such as HP Systems Insight Manager and Microsoft System Center Operations Manager, as well as support, help reduce the amount of time required to implement the solution.
To help ensure uninterrupted service, the appliance features designed-in best practices with fully redundant hardware and Database Availability Groups, a Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 feature that continuously replicates data.
Delivering on the Promise of Private Clouds
In addition to workload-specific appliances, HP and Microsoft plan to deliver the HP Database Consolidation Appliance. This appliance consolidates hundreds of databases into a single, virtual environment, providing customers with a private cloud database solution that offers self-service, on-demand scalability and dynamic elasticity with the additional control offered through an on-premises deployment.
Optimized for SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Hyper-V Cloud, the appliance will be delivered as complete, pre-installed, pretuned hardware with rapid deployment and enhanced manageability. Similar capabilities of the appliance will be offered as a reference architecture to customers who have advanced IT skills and prefer to build their own appliance with best practice guidance from HP and Microsoft.
Accelerating Business Service Delivery
HP and Microsoft will offer support and consulting services for the converged application appliances to help customers accelerate business service delivery. The services portfolios include assessment, design, proof of concept and implementation, as well as ongoing support. The services use HP and Microsoft’s expertise in delivering comprehensive, simplified solutions for data management, business intelligence, data warehouse and messaging.
Availability and Pricing
• The HP Business Decision Appliance with three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services is available today from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners for less than $28,000 (ERP). Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010 are licensed separately.
• The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance with services for site assessment, installation and startup, as well as three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services, is available today from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners starting at less than $2 million. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse is licensed separately.
• The HP E5000 Messaging System with three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services is expected to be available in March from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners starting at $36,000. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is licensed separately.
• The HP Business Data Warehouse Appliance is expected to be available in June, and the HP Database Consolidation Appliance is planned to be available in the second half of this year.
Until now there have been two ways to deploy critical business applications: highly customized deployments that take too long or proprietary stacks of applications and infrastructure that are inherently rigid and slow to change. The result is only 32 percent of IT projects that deliver critical business applications are rated as “successful” by the organizations implementing them.
Delivering on the companies’ extended partnership announced a year ago, the new converged application appliances from HP and Microsoft are the industry’s first systems designed for IT, as well as end users. They deliver application services such as business intelligence, data warehousing, online transaction processing and messaging. The jointly engineered appliances, and related consulting and support services, enable IT to deliver critical business applications in as little as one hour, compared with potentially months needed for traditional systems. One of the solutions already offered by HP and Microsoft — the HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance — delivers up to 200 times faster queries and 10 times the scalability of traditional Microsoft SQL Server deployments.4
“Customers are looking to significantly reduce implementation and decision times,” said Mark Potter, senior vice president and general manager, Industry Standard Servers and Software, HP. “With our converged application appliances, HP and Microsoft enable customers to shorten the time required to deliver information, which helps to reduce risk and cost.”
“Microsoft and HP are helping IT professionals fight their biggest foes — time and complexity,” said Ted Kummert, senior vice president, Business Platform Division, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft. “With these appliances, we’re helping to put critical business information in our customers’ hands when they need it.”
Expanding the Reach of Business Intelligence
With the HP Business Decision Appliance, HP and Microsoft have greatly reduced the time and effort it takes for IT to configure, deploy and manage a comprehensive business intelligence solution, compared with a traditional business intelligence solution where applications, infrastructure and productivity tools are not pre-integrated. This appliance is optimized for Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft SharePoint and can be installed and configured by IT in less than one hour.
The solution enables end users to share data analyses built with Microsoft’s award-winning5 PowerPivot for Excel 2010 and collaborate with others in SharePoint 2010. It allows IT to centrally audit, monitor and manage solutions created by end users from a single dashboard.
Red Wing Shoe Company, a worldwide manufacturer and retailer of premium work shoes and boots, was an early adopter of the HP Business Decision Appliance through GNet, an HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partner.
“We were intrigued by the idea that we could implement a turnkey solution that was fully integrated into our environment with minimal effort,” said Mike Cleary, director, IT Architecture and Operations, Red Wing Shoe Company. “Previously, to install all the required software and configure the components would have taken us several days. Now not only our business analysts but the broader user community can use a familiar tool, Microsoft Excel, to create and analyze data in new and unique ways.”
Scalable from midsize organizations to large enterprise environments, converged application appliances also offer HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners such as GNet significant sales opportunities. Because the appliances are open, based on industry standards, and can be integrated into heterogeneous data centers, they are ideal offerings for channel partners.
The HP Business Data Warehouse Appliance is a data store designed for small and midsize businesses that delivers enterprise-class functionality with increased simplicity and administrator-free operation. This appliance complements the HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance, which is designed for large organizations, is optimized for SQL Server 2008 R2, and was introduced in November. The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance improves data access with massive scalability and faster queries than traditional SQL Server databases. Through interoperability with the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform, customers can deliver managed business intelligence solutions to everyone in an organization.
Enterprise-Class Messaging in Hours
The new HP E5000 Messaging System for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is the industry’s first self-contained, preconfigured platform for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 that delivers enterprise-class messaging to businesses of all sizes. This messaging system, which can be deployed in as little as a few hours, delivers large mailboxes at a low cost, centralized archiving and 24x7 access from any device, and it can scale as business needs grow.
Customers benefit from built-in features such as the HP Quick Deployment tool, which validates configuration and active directory permissions to enable faster implementation. In addition, compatibility between management tools such as HP Systems Insight Manager and Microsoft System Center Operations Manager, as well as support, help reduce the amount of time required to implement the solution.
To help ensure uninterrupted service, the appliance features designed-in best practices with fully redundant hardware and Database Availability Groups, a Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 feature that continuously replicates data.
Delivering on the Promise of Private Clouds
In addition to workload-specific appliances, HP and Microsoft plan to deliver the HP Database Consolidation Appliance. This appliance consolidates hundreds of databases into a single, virtual environment, providing customers with a private cloud database solution that offers self-service, on-demand scalability and dynamic elasticity with the additional control offered through an on-premises deployment.
Optimized for SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Hyper-V Cloud, the appliance will be delivered as complete, pre-installed, pretuned hardware with rapid deployment and enhanced manageability. Similar capabilities of the appliance will be offered as a reference architecture to customers who have advanced IT skills and prefer to build their own appliance with best practice guidance from HP and Microsoft.
Accelerating Business Service Delivery
HP and Microsoft will offer support and consulting services for the converged application appliances to help customers accelerate business service delivery. The services portfolios include assessment, design, proof of concept and implementation, as well as ongoing support. The services use HP and Microsoft’s expertise in delivering comprehensive, simplified solutions for data management, business intelligence, data warehouse and messaging.
Availability and Pricing
• The HP Business Decision Appliance with three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services is available today from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners for less than $28,000 (ERP). Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010 are licensed separately.
• The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance with services for site assessment, installation and startup, as well as three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services, is available today from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners starting at less than $2 million. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse is licensed separately.
• The HP E5000 Messaging System with three years of HP 24x7 hardware and software support services is expected to be available in March from HP and HP/Microsoft Frontline channel partners starting at $36,000. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is licensed separately.
• The HP Business Data Warehouse Appliance is expected to be available in June, and the HP Database Consolidation Appliance is planned to be available in the second half of this year.
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