How Microsoft HoloLens and intelligent technologies will shape our future. Microsoft Ignite 2018
One of the most important events in the entire Microsoft calendar – the Microsoft Ignite conference has already started. The annual meeting of business leaders began on September 24 in Orlando, Florida.
During this year’s Ignite conference, Microsoft presented a range of products and new technologies that will soon reach a wider audience and become available to the public. The conference schedule includes interactive workshops, discussion panels and many technological innovations from the world of Microsoft.
Current issues that were raised at the conference include: artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing (Azure), virtual reality (AR) and solutions for business and news for Microsoft Dynamics 365 developers.
We were particularly interested in the topic of the growing reality of AR and mixed reality with the participation of Microsoft Holo Lens.
Mixed reality, a phrase recently used more and more often by Microsoft, for which the next update was just announced, such as new functions and two new applications for HoloLens – Remote Assist and Microsoft Layout, which are already available to be tested by Dynamics 365 and Microsoft HoloLens users, in preview version. They are so-called Mixed reality apps – that is, mixed-reality applications that close the gap between the real world and the augmented reality (AR).
Remote Assist – A remote expert can be located anywhere in the world in a minute, connecting via Microsoft Teams, where you can allow the inspectors to be able to remotely inspect objects in real time. For objects around the world, and even distant places to which you can not always get.
New features in HoloLens include Research mode – for companies that create their own specialized applications and new functions for enterprise management, such as many logins for the same HoloLens device, which makes it easier to share it in the company. With Media Transport Protocol you can connect your HoloLens, copy and transport files to and from the device. Improved MDM features to help you set up and manage your device. You can display objects in 3d, and when you look at them and move, they are interactive. You can also create and display your own virtual locations, rooms, spaces, etc. The Windows mixed reality platform is constantly evolving so that you can personalize your real and mixed reality worlds.
HoloLens is a completely new technology and solution. Organizations that look to the future use transformational technology to change the way they do business. Transformation technology is one that will take your company to a higher level. Microsoft HoloLens allows you to perform activities that were not possible in the past. It improves the management of activities, facilitates work and has a positive effect on organizing your work. This is the future of many organizations and perhaps soon HoloLens will become another device used in the company, just like we use laptops and mobile phones today, which are part of basic equipment used every day by employees. This is a new technology and is really interesting.
Microsoft HoloLens features:
Voice and video calls without hands (handsfree)
Annotations in mixed realities: drawing + arrows
Enterprise AAD authentication and single login
OneDrive integration and image sharing – supports JPG, TIFF, PNG, BMP file formats and non-animated GIF
Broadcasts in mixed-reality technology: HoloLens users can share their view with another application by running
Remote Assistance in the background
Shooting in mixed mode: HoloLens users can capture different images of reality during conversations
Screen sharing: Experts can display their computer screen to view HoloLens users
Cross-platform functionality from Microsoft HoloLens and PC
Microsoft Business Applications Summit
New business applications – Business Applications – will be available from October 2018.
Hundreds of new features in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, portals, omni-channel engagement hub, field service, project service, social engagement, finance & operations, talent, retail and business central enable your company’s digital transformation.
Here’s a shortcut of key functions:
– Dynamics 365 application improvements. New mixed reality set – user experience using Microsoft Layout and Microsoft Remote Assist.
– New intelligent applications – developed over decades of work in artificial intelligence, initiated by Microsoft Research, to make Dynamics 365 more intelligent. You can increase productivity and plan sales with the new Dynamics 365 AI application for sales.
– New Power platform capabilities connect Power BI applications, PowerApps, Microsoft Flow, Common Data Service for Applications, and Power BI data flow to an unparalleled array of tools to extend, customize and integrate Dynamics 365 and Office 365 with your environment.
– Data integration provides built-in connectivity to the Power platform and many others, thanks to data from hundreds of business systems, enabling rich and intelligent experiences. The common data model provides semantic consistency for canonical business units within Dynamics 365, Common Data Service for Apps and Power BI data flows, increasing the time needed by application developers, ISV partners and integrators.
– Deeper integration with other Microsoft products ensures trouble-free work with Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Stream, Azure and LinkedIn. Improving Dynamics 365 with data and signal from Office 365 and Bing.
– Performance, usability and improvements in support improve applications and provide a better working environment.
The full version of the article is available on the Microsoft Docs website.
If you are interested in our offer, or would like to receive detailed information about the products and services we offer, we invite you to contact us via the contact form, we are also available for you by email or phone or in person at our office.
Improving the way Dynamics 365 (F&O) is being updated.
In the field of ERP systems, we observe a continous development of new functionalities, integration possibilities are being added all the time and new technologies are being implemented. At the same time, research shows that “Eight out of ten enterprises (80%) admit that they have modified their ERP system in a moderate or significant way to adapt it to the unique business requirements of their companies” (source: https://www.computerworld.pl). Therefore, the ERP system upgrade process is usually expensive and long-lasting. Microsoft has announced a new solution to this problem, the reconciliation of these two seemingly contradictory aims: to allow clients to keep modifications made for their needs and at the same time to provide new functionalities “on a regular basis”. Microsoft has just announced further steps in this direction. Earlier this year, the company committed to delivering major Ms Dynamics 365 F&O updates twice a year to ensure predictability around new opportunities and allow a clear plan to its customers and partners. This is to reduce the cost of upgrades, provide all users with access to the latest features, improve performance and offer better support.
Here are some of the key points provided on Microsoft blog, in a post by Mo Osborne, Vice President and Operational Director of Microsoft Business Applications Engineering:
-All Microsoft Dynamics 365 applications will now target two major updates per year in April and October. They will offer new features and functionalities of the program. As Mo Osborne explains: “These updates will be compatible with previous versions, so your applications and customizations will continue to work after the upgrade. New features with serious, disruptive navigation changes in the user interface are disabled by default. This means that administrators will be able to first test the inclusion these functions to organize them.”
-Regular performance updates and improved program reliability will continue to be implemented throughout the year. Microsoft distributes updates over time and closely monitors its processes in the event of any problems.
– Microsoft offers access to the Dynamics 365 service upgrade before being deployed to production. Beginning with the update in April 2019, you will be able to approve major updates in the test environment before running the program. “If you encounter any problems while testing the update, Microsoft will work closely to support you and solve your problems in a timely manner to ensure the continuity of your organization,” says Mo Osborne.
We would like to remind you that the most important publications with information about upgrades will be published on the Microsoft blog, which started running from the first publication this spring (Spring release update). This is being continued as a standard practice, as Mo Osborne announced. The new blog serves as a reference point for customers who can look for additional details.
Information about upcoming updates will be released a few months before each major update to help companies plan implementation of new opportunities. Information on the release of the autumn update 2018 will be published on July 23 at the Summit of Business Applications Summit in Seattle.
And just like that…half of the year is gone!
June was a month of hard work for us. Two production starts of the Ms Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 installations within one month is a good test for our team of consultants and programmers.
Those of us who were involved in ERP projects know this feeling and the thrill of launching an ERP system. Go-live is exciting, misleading, difficult and full of opportunities, all at the same time.
Although it can be a huge step in a long process, this is not the last step. It seems that many project managers use the date of starting the ERP system as their main milestone and key success measure. However, just reaching the start date of the so-called go-live system is only one of the elements of implementation of ERP implementation.
There are many questions that appear only after go-live of the system, for example, what impact on the company will new ERP system have on the company? Will the organization’s activities be more efficient? Do employees use the system effectively? That is why it is so important for us to provide a continous service after the implementation success, in order to supplement technical activities.
Although the training of end-users before launching can reduce many of the risks that organizations face at the time of change, additional reinforcement is needed after launch. For example, project team members should be supported to receive general support and answers to simple, process and system questions. Immediately after launching, about 80% of user problems are associated with a lack of understanding rather than a problem with the system itself, so administrators should be the first level of support.
At Integris, we offer on premises service at our clients base throughout the country and abroad, as well as video conferences and remote assistance. We work continuously and offer a hotline for users 24 hours a day.
In addition, the provision of additional tools, such as cheat sheets and training documentation, will make employees feel more comfortable with the system, and refresher training should also be provided if necessary.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our offer and we invite you to cooperation.
SURE STEPS – 6 steps to succesful implementation
ERP systems can help standardize and automate many business processes within a company to eliminate manual effort and save time.
At Integris, we strive to ensure that our projects are implemented in a satisfactory manner for our clients and that they bring desirable effects, which is why we follow the Sure Step implementation methodology developed by Microsoft, which is an ideal solution for complex, multi-stage projects, such as ERP software implementation.
The Sure Step methodology is divided into 6 stages:
- Diagnosis – initial analysis of the client’s needs and requirements. Determining the main goals.
- Analysis – a detailed analysis of all processes taking place in the company.
- Project – a plan of ndividual implementation of existing elements and the possibility of expanding the program with features appropriate for a given industry / business specifics.
- Construction – Determining parameters of standard system functionalities and modification and extension of it to new functions.
- Launch – launching the program and providing training for its users,
- Test – program and functionality tests and post-implementation support.
There are two additional stages: optimization and upgrade – a new version of the program.
Adherence to the various stages of SURE STEP implementation process allows us to ensure the highest quality of services offered and contribute to an efficient and error-free execution of the project, and gives our clients the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the system and the ability to customize individual functions at the programming and testing stage of the program.
Monthly summary for the month of May
Weeks of preparations, intensive work during the development and programming of new ERP functions and many hours spent with clients. In May, we completed two implementation projects of ERP management systems – Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The last few months are a time of very intense work for our programmers and consultants who work on several projects at the same time. Implementation of the ERP class system in accordance with the Sure Step principles (implementation methodology developed by Microsoft) in companies from the food industry – confectionery and manufacturing industry – medical textiles, gives us the opportunity to adapt the software to the industry and the specifics of the company. Microsoft Dynamics AX/365 systems are designed to increase productivity, enable quick decision making and enable reactions to the changing situation. Users can use those applications that are needed at the moment and at any time expand their system with new ones. More specifically, Ms Dynamics AX (365) is a collection of business applications that facilitate access to data and enable control of activities undertaken in the company.
Congratulations to our consultants who’d done a great job, we hope to write more posts like this soon.
Split Payment Update
According to the Ministry of Finance, from 1 July this year a new Split Payment Mechanism will be introduced, called MPP or just Split Payment in polish. The payment for the purchased goods or services will be executed in two ways: the net value can be paid into a standard bank account, whereas the VAT amount for a special account – only for this purpose (banks are obliged to keep such accounts free of charge). MPP is to be another element of the process of sealing the Polish tax system and is expected to increase budget inflows by limiting VAT fraud and extortion.
What is Split Payment about?
– In accordance with the new legislation, it is possible to separate net and vat payment during a transaction.
– VAT amount will then be paid into an additional bank account, intended only for accumulating the VAT amount.
– The use of the Split Payment model is to be voluntary for now.
– It applies only to entrepreneurs who are VAT registered.
– The ability to dispose funds accumulated on the VAT account by the seller will be limited to paying VAT to the tax office or to its own suppliers only.
It is worth following how these regulations might change in the future, because it can have a significant impact on your business.
Integris proposes a comprehensive solution to implement these functionalities in Microsoft Dynamics AX (Dynamics 365) and automate related processes. Our solution provides tools for tracking tax paid using MPP, generating payment files and importing file statements – containing both incoming and outgoing payments made using MPP – in such a way as to enable the use of MPP and obtain the benefits resulting from it.
If you have any questions about Split Payment, SAF-T or GDPR – use the knowledge of our experts and contact us..
New Microsoft Dynamics 365 updates announced.
By the fall this year, Microsoft is planning to add a series of updates to its Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. Main changes are said to be in the sector of finance, public sector and revenue recognition with advanced storage and transport capabilities. These adaptations will come as an effect of a collaboration with partners such as:
- Tyler Technologies – reporting, budgeting, charging, working with suppliers, 1099 suppliers (in the US) and income distribution updates.
- Armanino LLP – changes in the management of revenue recognition and compliance with the provisions of ASC 606 and IFR 15. (new business models, i.e. subscriptions).
- Blue Horseshoe – based on their AWAX and ATRAX products – advanced warehouse and transport management modifications (basic functions of this were available in previous versions of Microsoft Dynamics 365).
All these software modifications and more available from the end of this year. Up until then D365FO will be available in 8.x. version, which is capable of and will enable Microsoft regular actualizations and biannual updates of the system. New approach won’t let clients put away these upgrades anymore as it was possible in 7.x D365FO and previous versions.
GDPR changes coming soon!
GDPR which stands for General Data Protection Regulation was announced by EU parliament and The Council of the EU in april 2016. This change will cover European Union area and this big change will take direct effect in may 25th in Poland. Some laws will change and some will stop counting.
The last amendments regarding the protection of personal data were recorded in the 1990s. Since then, the world has changed and we are in the era of digitization. The amount of data and information that we generate, process and store has grown significantly, as a result of which the old rules are no longer adequate to the current situation, and they do not match to today’s lifestyle and work. The GDPR introduces new rules and obligations that have a broader concept in the field of personal data protection, a greater global coverage and higher fine rates for non-compliance.
Some of the main changes, in a short:
- new rule about how we store data -easier access (providing more information about the way we process data; provide it in a clear and easy to understand format).
- new rule about data migration.
- new laws regarding deleting data (“your right to be forgotten”).
new laws in regards to informing people in case of hackers attack on data ( companies will also be obliged to inform certain gov. bodies about such cases). - new technologies providing more data security.