Microsoft Convergence 2015: More Change Ahead

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The business IT world will be closely watching Microsoft starting on Monday, March 16, as the company brings its vision for enterprise tech solutions from Redmond to Atlanta for Microsoft Convergence 2015. The conference is Microsoft's primary venue for gathering the business community, and it's a key event on its calendar.

Organizers note that Dynamics ERP and CRM attendees can expect changes to this year's Convergence, which will feature a broader scope than those in previous years. However, the revamped experience is intended to enrich the overall conference experience, not take away from its benefits. 

This year's event will start on Monday with an opening keynote from CEO Satya Nadella himself. Nadella is expected to emphasize his focus on the benefits that cloud data can bring to businesses, a consistent theme evident in his leadership strategy.

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The "mobile first, cloud first" theme has been a core focus at Microsoft since Nadella stepped into his role a little over a year ago. Most would agree it's a smart idea. After all, analytics has the power to enable more effective decisions in corporations around the globe.

Nadella is also expected to note that increased efficiency provided by data results in improved performance for customers, who become more loyal to a brand when they see positive results. You can watch the broadcast here at 8:30AM EST, or follow me as I live-tweet Nadella's keynote (@kellysheridan22).

Over the following days, attendees will experience changes to the keynote speeches and general sessions that comprise Convergence, which have been redesigned to focus less on the specifics of various products and more on business value concepts.

Products remain at the core of Convergence, and the conference will continue to offer sessions that provide information on various features and roadmaps for those who want to attend. However, the event now prioritizes vision and ideas, with products (including Microsoft Dynamics and others) falling second.

The idea is to develop the event as a "Microsoft event for business" and emphasize a growing focus on bringing disconnected business processes together, explains Marie Huwe, general manager for Dynamics, on MSDynamicsWorld. Attendees can anticipate discussion of topics such as big data, mobility, and Internet of Things, woven into a broader message of how these trends will affect Microsoft customers.

A wider range of Microsoft teams and employees will be present at this year's Convergence, so that these people can expand their reach and interact with a larger portion of the company market. The 2015 conference will likely reflect Microsoft's effort to showcase its broader vision for business solutions.

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