Microsoft Inspire had a few, but groundbreaking news. Especially the one announcing the next step in hybrid workplace: Windows 365.

Microsoft unveils a totally new way of conceiving cloud computing, introducing Windows 365.

This is the next step in hybrid workplace: the Cloud PC. A fully personalized PC experience anywhere, on any device, giving workers and organization flexibility, power and security.

Available on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (when released), Microsoft 365 will be streaming from the cloud the full Windows experience, secured by design and built with Zero Trust principles, storing all information in the cloud. This groundbreaking announcement represents the next step in hybrid workplace, providing both flexibility and security for workforce across the globe.

“With Windows 365, we’re creating a new category: the Cloud PC. Just like applications were brought to the cloud with SaaS, we are now bringing the operating system to the cloud, providing organizations with greater flexibility and a secure way to empower their workforce to be more productive and connected, regardless of location.” Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft

Windows 365 will provide a powerful, simple and secure experience.

Powerful: the cloud provides and instantly available system, streaming all user’s applications and tools across any device and allowing to work seamlessly. Available either on Windows 10 or Windows 11, organizations can choose the Cloud PC they need, choosing the processing power and storage they need. with a monthly pricing base.

Simple: Windows 365 simplifies deployment, updates and management and require any virtualization experience. With Windows 365 optimized for the endpoint, IT can easily procure, deploy and manage Cloud PCs for their organization just as they manage physical PCs through Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Microsoft also continues to innovate in Azure Virtual Desktop for those organizations with deep virtualization experience that want more customization and flexibility options.

Secure: Windows 365 is secure by design, leveraging the power of the cloud and the principles of Zero Trust. Information is secured and stored in the cloud, not on the device. Always up to date and building on the strength of rich Microsoft security capabilities and baselines, Windows 365 simplifies security and recommends the best security settings for the environment at hand.

Windows 365 will be generally available to businesses of all sizes starting on Aug. 2, 2021. More information can be found at https://Microsoft.com/Windows-365.

New ways to deliver a secure hybrid workplace with Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365

Windows 365 is announced as an incredibly simple way to securely stream Windows from the Microsoft Cloud. It is delivered as a complete software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution built on the Azure Virtual Desktop platform.

This is the ideal personalized Windows experience – including apps, content and settings – on any device, with predictable per user, per month pricing. This service can be easily deployed and managed with Microsoft Endpoint Manager or via a self-service portal, no VDI expertise required.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a flexible cloud VDI platform, designed to create and deliver any desktop or app virtualization scenario. With Azure Virtual Desktop, you can customize and fine-tune your deployment to meet your performance, security, compliance, location, or other requirements.

With these two offerings, Microsoft gives organizations two exciting options to support all your hybrid work needs.

Collaborative apps in Microsoft Teams and Windows 365

Microsoft Teams is where people start their day and stay in the flow of work. It is where people meet, chat, call, collaborate, and—increasingly—automate business processes. It has become the tool of a new way of working, by empowering people for flexible, hybrid workplace.

Microsoft released a new Dynamics 365 + Microsoft Teams experience with collaborative apps, to demonstrates the power of collaboration and enables organizations to activate this capability at no additional licensing cost:

• View and edit Dynamics 365 records right within your Teams workflow
• Add a Teams meeting to appointments and capture notes
• Stay up to date on records with automated notifications and connected workflows
• Break down barriers with collaborative apps from our partners
• Manage your Teams app purchasing across the enterprise more easily

Read the full article here

Hopefully, that was a digest and useful recap of the ignite announcements.

Would you like some advice to help you with the discovery, design and implementation of the new Microsoft Cloud solutions & features? Go ahead and Set up an appointment for a free consultation conference call when it works best for you.