Microsoft showcases its latest generation of technologies to Kenyan professionals

 By Dan Muhuni

Yesterday world's software giant Microsoft brought Kenyan professionals and enthusiasts together to look at the latest generation of products and services from Microsoft and its partners, at a technology event designed to improve the way various professionals  communicate at work, at home and on the go.

“For over 18 years we have worked with over 20,000 commercial partners across Africa delivering a vast array of software products, services and solutions,” said Louis Otieno, General Manager Microsoft, East and Southern Africa. “However in Kenya this is the first time we have invited local technology professionals and enthusiasts to share our approach to the next generation of computing backed by an industry-leading annual investment of $9.5 billion in research and development spanning the PC, mobile phone and Web.”

‘Open Door’ is one of 14 Microsoft  experiential  technology showcases taking place in Africa in 2010-2011, reaching 6,000 people  across 12 countries including Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa.

“Participating with Microsoft in this Open Door event emphasizes our joint commitment to delivering the latest technology solutions to consumers, business and developers alike across East Africa” said Harry Chager, the Chief Executive Officer of Computer Revolution Africa, a Microsoft business partner in East Africa.

Based on over 18 years’ of experience of working in 54 countries across Africa, Microsoft demonstrated a number of products and services at the ‘Open Door’ showcase, including:

Communication: The brand new Microsoft Lync 2010 provides a single platform that integrates audio, video and instant messaging. Forrester Research estimates that customers can expect a 337% return on investment in Lync in just 12 months based on reductions in the cost of  PBX telephone systems,  IT labor, calls to the IT help desk, as well as travel.

Connection: With emails, contacts, photos and documents scattered among different personal computers and devices, Windows 7 and Windows Live Essentials 2011 simplifies the things people do every day by using the power of the Internet to help people create, connect and share what's important anytime, from virtually anywhere. Since Microsoft launched Windows 7 a year ago, Microsoft has sold more than 240 million licenses worldwide with a 94% customer satisfaction rate.

Collaboration: Microsoft Office 2010, along with popular productivity applications – Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010 and Microsoft Project 2010 – help people connect, express ideas and solve problems. Microsoft also offers a free online companion to Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote, called Microsoft Office Web Apps that gives people the freedom to easily access, edit, and share Microsoft Office documents online. Web Apps help preserve the look and feel of a document regardless of device, so content and format are generally preserved while moving between the PC, mobile phone and Internet browser.

Cost-saving: By using the scale of the Internet to connect a variety of technical devices and endpoints - anything from a huge server to the smallest of mobile phones - so that they can work together, the ‘cloud’ ties Lync 2010, Windows 7, Windows Live Essentials 2011 and Office 2010 together and represents the most affordable and flexible computing experience yet for Microsoft customers. With IT as a service now available in a private ‘cloud’ on premise, hosted by a partner or in a Microsoft datacentre, people or businesses anywhere in Africa can choose where and how they manage, deploy and store their data  in the ‘cloud’.

Open Door event is designed to share the latest technology advancements with IT Professionals and developers in local markets, providing participants a chance to ask Microsoft's specialists general or specific questions. The forum serves to educate users on the functionality of various technology products, solutions and services and how these can make their lives easier.
In an interview after the open door event, Benson Njoroge a Computer teacher at Muranga High school could not hide his joy for having gained a lot in terms of the new microsoft products. "I have used microsoft products since i was a computer science student at the University of Nairobi but i have never had an opportunity to hear from Microsoft but todays work shop was a breakthrough in my entire career life since i have gained alot"

Timothy an ICT programmer with the NIC bank also said ' its really a noble idean for microsoft to bring the ICT professionals in one table and discuss some of their products since we end up gaining alot as far as our field is concerned.

Microsoft Lync ushers in a new era of business communications

By Dan Muhuni

Software Giant, Microsoft East and Southern Africa, today announced the general availability of Microsoft Lync, formerly Office Communications Server, ushering in a new era of business communications.  Starting today, anyone can download a free trial version of Lync at www.lync.com and business customers can now purchase the product.

Lync can make every engagement a virtual face-to-face meeting, because any interaction can now include video and audio conferencing, application and desktop sharing, instant messaging, and telephony. Lync also works with the applications people know and use today, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint and Microsoft Outlook- which helps organizations reduce adoption hurdles, because employees are already familiar and comfortable with these popular Microsoft tools. Administrators can benefit from a single, secure management infrastructure, new capabilities to increase adoption, and interoperability with existing systems.  These features lower cost of ownership, allow smoother deployment and migration, and provide greater choice and flexibility.

Speaking during the Microsoft Open Door event, Hardeep Sound, Regional Solutions Sales Manager at Microsoft, East and Southern Africa said that, “Lync delivers on Microsoft’s vision to unify enterprise voice, instant messaging and Web-, audio- and videoconferencing into a new, connected communications experience. IT departments can evolve their infrastructure and either augment or remove their PBX systems with Lync.  And by deploying Lync they will empower their workforce to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively, and stay connected to others on a wide range of devices no matter where they are located.”

Customers using Lync 2010 are already changing the way they communicate, and find they are transforming their businesses while saving money.

”Lync’s voice capabilities can be used as an alternative to desk phones. Lync fits into an existing environment, so that organisations do not have to ‘rip and replace’ what they are currently using.  Lync can be built on top of a company’s infrastructure, therefore giving a lot more flexibility to communicate and collaborate with the right person, at the right time from familiar applications, whether at the office, at home, or on the road. Adopting Lync Server 2010 offers organisations the opportunity to improve their unified communications environment.” added Edwin Kiiru, Line of Business Manager – Microsoft Solutions at Dimension Data East Africa.

Microsoft Lync is the new family brand for the products formerly known as Microsoft Communications Server, Microsoft Communications Online and Microsoft Communicator, and now also includes Microsoft Lync Web App, and Microsoft Lync Online.

Bharti airtel signs an agreement with Manchester United

 By Dan Muhuni

Airtel staff during the agreement signing ceremony at Old Trafford

Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company, has today announced an exclusive partnership with Manchester United Football Club and signed a four year partnership agreement.  This is a first of its kind partnership signed between Bharti Airtel and Manchester United in the African continent.

Through the partnership Manchester United will support the airtel Allstars search for young African football talent, while airtel Kenya customers of will have the opportunity to win tickets to watch the Red Devils play in Manchester, take part in coaching sessions and access exclusive Manchester United news and download highlights, ringtones and wallpapers through the airtel Live mobile portal.

Airtel Kenya managing director, Rene Meza, said:  “Football is the universal passion of Africa and there’s no bigger club in the world than Manchester United.  I’m tremendously excited about the opportunities for airtel customers to interact with the brand, win exclusive match tickets and signed shirts and have the chance to train with coaches from one of the leading academies in world football.

“Manchester United’s Old Trafford home is known as the Theatre of Dreams and that is exactly what we hope to fulfill: the dreams of thousands of airtel customers over the next four years.  We’re also launching our ambitious airtel Allstars initiative, in association with Manchester United, to find and nurture African talent to make it right to the top of the professional game.”

Announcing the deal, David Gill, chief executive officer, Manchester United said:  "We’re delighted to announce a new four year partnership with airtel in Kenya, one of the most innovative mobile operators in Africa.  This deal gives airtel exclusive rights as the official mobile communications partner of Manchester United in Kenya with access to unique mobile phone content, including player interviews, goal replays and match reports.

He added:  "This ground breaking partnership will bring the action of Manchester United direct to our millions of fans in Kenya and we’re pleased to support airtel in developing the rich pool of young football talent through the airtel Allstars initiative."

airtel will be featured on the club's website, which is the most visited sports website in the world.  airtel customers will also have regular opportunities to take part in competitions and prize draws to win all expenses paid trips to attend Manchester United matches.

Each year airtel and Manchester United will run training sessions at the Manchester United Academy, one of the world's most prestigious football training centres.  There will be opportunity for customers to attend coaching sessions with Manchester United coaches in the region.

Andre Beyers, Bharti airtel's chief marketing officer, said:  “Sport can be a powerful vehicle for social change, bringing people together and instilling values of teamwork and personal standards.  Mobile communications is also a facilitator of social change and economic development, and we hope that our association with Manchester United will help drive us towards achieving those goals.”