Blog
TelcoDR’s Watch List for Google Cloud Next ’23
Google Cloud Next runs from August 29-31. Check out my hand-picked shortlist of must-see topics for telcos.
Blog
Getting fired up for Microsoft Ignite
The second of the three hyperscaler events, Microsoft Ignite, kicks off on Tuesday, November 2, and runs through Thursday, November 4. It’s sandwiched between Google Cloud Next and Amazon re:Invent, which starts during the last week of November.
Why do you need to go?
Because you’re a telco exec thinking of moving to the cloud, and this is where you’ll get the big picture on Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, including all the latest updates as well as what’s on the roadmap. Plus, you’ll get a ton more telco-relevant content for free. And since the event is virtual again, anyone can attend from anywhere. There’s a mix of live and on-demand sessions, but if you miss any of the live sessions, you can always come back to watch a recorded version.
The range of CSP-relevant content shows that Microsoft is focused on our industry. The company has inked deals with AT&T, Verizon and O2 to develop 5G mobile edge computing. With AT&T, the edge piece is just one part of a long-term partnership to deliver innovation in cloud, artificial intelligence and 5G. Another piece is last June’s announcement that AT&T will run its 5G network edge on Microsoft’s Azure for Operators cloud.
Like I did for Google Cloud Next, I wanted to share an Ignite playlist for telcos. These are the top three sessions my team and I definitely won’t miss.
- Build a hyperconnected business
- Azure for Operators with Metaswitch
- Accelerate time to insight with predictive AI and analytics
Here’s our complete list, grouped by topic:
Just for telcos
Azure for Operators with Metaswitch
What happens when a carrier-grade cloud platform with edge compute capabilities and a developer ecosystem acquires a longtime telecommunications software provider?
Attend this session to find out! It will detail a few recently-launched Metaswitch products, and how they enable telcos to offer new services that connect the Teams communication platform to the Public Switch Telephone Network (PTSN).
On demand
Most telcos are taking a hard look at their business support systems (BSS) these days—as they should be! Watch this session to hear Nokia, Microsoft, STL partners talk about the opportunities available for improving operations, as well as how Nokia is putting Microsoft solutions to work.
On demand
Always connected PCs driving digital transformation for the hybrid workforce
The pandemic forced enterprises to a distributed model faster than anyone expected. Now that we’re here, CSPs have a big opportunity to provide services that support 5G-connected laptops, new use cases, and IT departments trying to manage and secure corporate networks.
On demand
Prepare for the future of calling with Microsoft Teams Phone
The pandemic forced enterprises to a distributed model Microsoft Teams is a major player in the exploding video conferencing space. But Teams also offers IP-based voice calling, as well as other communication services, all covered here.
Session time:
Wednesday, November 3
10:30–10:50 AM PDT
Wednesday, November 3
5:30–5:50 PM GMT
Thursday, November 4
1:30–1:50 AM SGT
This is your chance to hear from a telco executive working with Microsoft to transform the company’s services. The title is about development and data velocity, so it should be about using public cloud services to innovate quickly and stay ahead of competitors. The featured exec is Sanjay Andrew Thomas, the CIO of AIS, a leading Thai telco.
Session time:
Wednesday, November 3
11:30 PM–12:00 AM PDT
Thursday, November 4
6:30–7 AM GMT
Thursday, November 4
2–2:30 PM SGT
The future looks cloudy
Build a hyperconnected business
Ready for some big-picture thinking? Business is changing and cloud is at the center of it all. This session pulls back for the 10,000-foot view of all the ways organizations can use public cloud solutions to reimagine and rebuild for the future.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
9:30–9:55 AM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
4:30–4:55 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3
12:30–12:55 AM SGT
Low code, no code, no problem – A beginner’s guide to Power Platform
Still need convincing that building apps for the cloud is easy? This session is for you. Microsoft Power Platform is a low-code tool you can use to build custom apps—like better BSS solutions!
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
12:30–1:00 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
7:30-8 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3
3:30-4 AM SGT
Innovate anywhere from multicloud to edge
Another session focused on the big picture, this one aims to get you thinking about all the different ways you can innovate when you’re on the public cloud: infrastructure, data, applications. It’s not just about scale. It’s about the next generation of your business.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
12:30–1:00 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
7:30–8 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3
3:30–4 AM SGT
Do more with your data
Model and partition your data in Azure Cosmos DB
Like Amazon Web Services’ DynamoDB database, the Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed, NoSQL database for app development.
Join this live session to hear about how NoSQL databases work, what makes them unique, and how you can use them.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
11:30 AM–1:00 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
6:30–8 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3 2:30–4 AM SGT
US local connection: data is the new air – how customers use data & apps to drive innovation
The public cloud opens up a whole new world to telcos—one where you can easily leverage data, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to build innovative apps for your employees and customers.
If you’re still not completely convinced of the benefits, this presentation should get you there.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
12:30–1:00 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
7:30–8 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3 3:30–4 AM SGT
Azure Communication Services
Microsoft’s Azure Communication Services enables rich communication (SMS, video, etc.) in your business and consumer apps. This session is a roundtable that covers all the latest updates to the SMS features and gives you a sneak peek into what’s coming. The audience also gets a chance to provide feedback—so come with your feature requests.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
11:30 AM–12:30 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
6:30–7:30 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3 2:30–3:30 AM SGT
Azure Communications Service – The future of notification services
Here’s another session where you can weigh in on the roadmap for Azure Communication Services. This one focuses on notification services for things like surveys, alerts, and marketing.
Session time:
Tuesday, November 2
1:30–2:30 PM PDT
Tuesday, November 2
8:30–9 PM GMT
Wednesday, November 3 4:30–5 AM SGT
Putting artificial intelligence to work
Microsoft Ignite into focus: data & AI
Another of the MANY benefits of switching to the public cloud is gaining access to industry-leading AI solutions. Telcos can use AI for preventative maintenance, optimizing networks, streamlining customer support, and lots more. Join this event to hear about all the latest updates to Azure AI, how a few customers are using it, and what’s on the roadmap.
Session time:
Wednesday, November 3
12:15–1:00 PM PDT
Wednesday, November 3 7:15–8 PM GMT
Thursday, November 4
3:15–4 AM SGT
Accelerate time to insight with predictive AI and analytics
Speaking of insights to be gained from AI, this session is all about the customer angle: how you can use your big data along with predictive AI to reduce churn and increase lifetime value. Telcos have treasure troves of data. Get it into the public cloud and start to use it to drive insights about your subscribers.
On demand
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