SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- At a customer
event in San Francisco, Microsoft
CEO Satya Nadella showcased
innovations available today with the launch of SQL Server 2014, the
newest version of the world's most widely deployed database, and
outlined the company's path to deliver a platform for ambient
intelligence. Nadella stressed the importance of a data culture —
one that encourages curiosity, action and experimentation — for
everyone and every organization. Microsoft also shared the results
of new IDC research that shows companies that take a comprehensive
approach to data stand to realize an additional 60 percent return
on their data assets — a worldwide opportunity of $1.6 trillion.
"The era of ambient intelligence has begun, and we are
delivering a platform that allows companies of any size to create a
data culture and ensure insights reach every individual in every
organization," Nadella said.
More of Nadella's thoughts about ambient intelligence and the
future of data can be found on the Official Microsoft Blog.
The data platform for a new era
Built for the era of ambient intelligence, Microsoft's data
platform includes new Internet of Things capabilities and provides
customers with the building blocks they need to connect their data,
refine and analyze it, and deliver insights to people who can take
action.
Today, Microsoft expanded its data platform with new products
and services, including the following:
- Launch of SQL Server 2014. The latest version of the
world's most widely deployed database delivers real-time
performance with built-in in-memory technology and public cloud
scale and disaster recovery with Microsoft Azure.
- Limited public preview of the Microsoft Azure
Intelligent Systems Service. This new Azure service helps
customers embrace the Internet of Things and securely connect to,
manage and capture machine-generated data from sensors and devices,
regardless of operating system.
- General availability of the Analytics Platform System
(APS). APS combines the best of Microsoft's SQL Server database
and Hadoop technology in one low-cost offering that delivers "big
data in a box."
These new solutions build on 12 months of innovation — including
Power BI for Office 365, a cloud-based, self-service business
intelligence solution with groundbreaking natural language
capability; Azure HDInsight for elastic Hadoop in the cloud;
PolyBase to bring structured and unstructured data together in a
data warehouse appliance; and Power Query for Excel, which
makes it easier for people to discover data — to deliver the most
comprehensive data platform with real-time performance built into
everything.
More information can be found at the Data Platform Insider
blog.
Customers bet on Microsoft to realize their data
dividend
Data is currency for business. New research commissioned by
Microsoft and conducted by IDC estimates that organizations could
realize a "data dividend" of roughly $1.6
trillion in additional revenue, lower costs and improved
productivity over the next four years by putting in place a
holistic approach to data that spans datasets, analytics and more.
The research was conducted among more than 2,000 mid-sized and
large organizations in 20 countries worldwide. More information on
the methodology can be found at the Microsoft Cloud &
Enterprise News Bytes Blog:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/stbnewsbytes.
"Customers who take a comprehensive approach to their data
projects realize a higher data dividend than customers who take a
point-by-point approach," said Dan Vesset, program vice president,
Business Analytics and Big Data, at IDC. "This new research shows
that by combining diverse data sets, new analytics and insights to
more people — at the right time — businesses worldwide can tap into
a more than trillion-dollar opportunity over the next four
years."
Customers such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
Conde Nast, Edgenet Inc., KUKA
systems GmbH, NASDAQ, telent, Tesla Motors Inc., Virginia Tech and Xerox Corp. are putting
Microsoft's platform to work, driving real business results and
increasing their data dividend.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide
leader in software, services and solutions that help people and
businesses realize their full potential.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.