Editorial Highlights
OnWindows Issue 5 – Winter 2015
Editorial deadline: 25 November 2015
Publication date: 6 January 2016
Each edition of OnWindows addresses key topics that are capturing the attention of technology
executives in enterprise businesses. Our Winter 2015 issue will be packed with news, interviews, feature
articles and more on the latest Microsoft and partner technology developments and business trends.
Cover story: Mobile business
The boundaries between work and social life are blurring and many employees want to manage their
work using their personal devices. We find out how the likes of Windows 10, Microsoft’s universal
Office apps and more are enabling productivity anywhere, and allowing enterprise organisations to
embrace a bring-your-own-device policy safe in the knowledge that their critical data is secure. We
also learn how businesses can take advantage of Microsoft Surface and other Windows devices to
deliver the benefits of mobility to their employees.
Upfront
This October, Microsoft will be launching the latest version of its data platform, SQL Server 2016.
Billed as the biggest leap forward in Microsoft's data platform history yet, SQL Server 2016 promises
real-time operational analytics, rich visualisations on mobile devices, built-in advanced analytics, new
advanced security technology and new hybrid cloud scenarios. Read our MarketWatch report on how
some enterprise businesses are already taking advantage of the cutting-edge platform.
In this issue, we also have a unique opportunity to speak with Jeff Jaffe, chief executive officer of the
World Wide Web Consortium, about how the organisation has evolved over the last few years. We
also find out more about its mission to ensure the long-term survival of the worldwide web.
We’ll also hear from Dell’s Jackson Shaw, senior director of product management, who will explain
how Dell is helping organisations globally with the security of their networks and allowing staff to use
their own devices, something that is quite key with the explosion of IoT.
And don’t miss our exclusive interview with Erwin Visser, general manager of Windows Commercial
Marketing at Microsoft. Hear his insights into Microsoft’s plans for the coming year and how the
launch of products such as Windows 10 and Office 2016 are empowering businesses to be more
productive, innovative and efficient.
Communications and media
Shortening the time to market for new services to stay on top of changing customer needs is an
essential technology deliverable for communications and media organisations. We explore how
technology is minimising risk by reducing the capital investment required and enabling new services
through more efficient cloud and infrastructure solutions. Resulting customer satisfaction levels
provide the ROI to keep the innovation momentum rolling. This report draws on the expertise in
Microsoft partner companies and other industry influencers.
Also:

A report on how cloud technologies are changing the way broadcasters deliver content and
experiences to their viewers. We find out how organisations such as HBS and deltatre are

using the power of the cloud to livestream the FIFA World Cup and ORF, and how the
European Broadcasting Union is supporting the Eurovision Song Contest.
Case studies from across the media and telecommunications industry covering the latest
implementations of Microsoft and partner technologies.
Financial services
Against a backdrop of soft markets, competitive pricing issues and low interest rates, today’s general
insurers are putting a renewed focus on claims in a bid to reduce their loss ratios. As well as finding
new ways to improve the claims experience to please policyholders and reduce customer churn,
many carriers are looking to improve their claims analytics capabilities to better predict claims
environments, optimize their processing, mitigate losses and ferret out claims fraud. In this feature
we find out how the latest claims processing and claims analytics solutions can equip today’s
industry leaders to operate profitably, efficiently and to deliver a superior customer experience.
Also:


We’re set to discover some of the latest trends in banking at this year’s Sibos financial services
event, taking place from 12-15 October. Find out from Microsoft just what it takes to become
the digital bank of the future.
We explore how the insurance sector is making the transition to digital. Microsoft’s Dennis
Vanderlip provides his insight.
Public sector
A recent CEB report confirms that 66% of employees use personal devices for work purposes, while
Microsoft’s own research suggests that 80% of employees frequently work away from their desks. The
proliferation of mobile devices and mobile-enabled solutions are reaching a tipping point in the
commercial workplace and the public sector must learn from the enterprise and find ways to
embracing innovation to drive delivery of meaningful citizen services. Microsoft and its community of
public sector partners are ideally placed to offer radical new ways for Public Sector providers to drive
service provision off the desktop and out into the communities which they serve.
Also:




On the back of this year’s Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, we explore some of
the latest innovations taking place in cities across the globe, including developments around
crowd surveillance, traffic management and much more.
Following her appointment as corporate vice president of Worldwide Public Sector at
Microsoft, we speak with Toni Townes-Whitley about her role and get her thoughts on the
combined power of Windows 10, Office 2016 and new hardware, addressing how Microsoft’s
end-to-end solution offering can benefit public sector organisations.
We get to grips with how Microsoft is reaffirming its commitment to the healthcare industry
through the release of Office 2016.
We find out what to expect at BETT 2016
Manufacturing and resources
We explore how connecting sales and service empowers a collaborative workforce, delivering
invaluable insights into assets, customers and colleagues. Hear from Colin Masson and Chris Harries
on how Microsoft partners are connecting customer interaction touch points through sales, service,
marketing, social engagement, productivity and mobile solutions, enabling the collection of and
access to critical information by a dispersed workforce.
Also:

The internet of things continues to make its mark on the industry as more manufacturers
strive to become intelligent, connected businesses that are service rather than productcentric. We cover some of the latest IoT implementations, including a look at how the North
American Eagle team are using IoT and solutions such as the Cortana Analytics Suite to break
the current land-speed world record of 763 miles per hour in its jet-powered, three-wheeled
car.
Retail and hospitality
A new generation of business systems are empowering retailers, consumer goods companies,
hospitality and travel providers to completely rethink the way they do business. We find out what it
means to be a truly digital business today, and what technologies the industry can take advantage of
– from Windows devices and the cloud, to IoT and data analytics – to create systems of intelligence
that will allow them to connect more effectively with their customers, improve staff productivity, and,
ultimately, enable them to run a more efficient and profitable operation.
Also:


We preview some of what’s to come at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in 2016,
including a focus on the impact of the internet of things, and mobile and beacon technology
in retail.
An update on some of the latest technology developments in the hospitality and travel sector,
including insight from the Microsoft Dynamics team.
In future issues
Issue 6 – Spring 2016
Publication date: 11 March 2016
Cover story: Sales and marketing
Business success relies on having the right tools to ensure that people and resources are being used
effectively. We find out how Microsoft partners are using technologies like Microsoft Dynamics CRM
to develop innovative sales and marketing solutions that ensure better customer engagement and
deliver results for enterprise businesses.
Also:

A full report following the release of the Azure IoT Suite – an integrated offering that takes
advantage of all the relevant Azure capabilities to connect devices and other assets. The
solution, which was first announced in March 2015 at Convergence, is designed to provide
businesses with finished applications targeting common IoT scenarios, such as remote
monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Issue 7 – Summer 2016
Publication date: June 2016
Cover story: Cloud computing
Nearly 18 months on since we first covered this topic in our launch issue of OnWindows, we take a
look at the latest advances in cloud computing and find out just how far enterprise organisations are
now taking advantage of potentially unlimited compute capacity via pay-as-you-go models. Do
concerns around security and data protection still exist, and how are they being addressed? We find
out more.
Issue 8 – Autumn 2016
Publication date: September 2016
Cover story: Cyber security
Cyber security is no longer the concern of IT departments alone. It’s a company-wide issue and for
good reason: data breeches have the potential to expose sensitive data, damage brands and lose
companies and their customers millions of pounds. But although cyber criminals’ and hackers’
methods are becoming more advanced, so are the technologies being developed to thwart their
efforts. In this issue, we explore some of the ways in which Microsoft and its partners are helping
enterprise businesses prevent data breaches, protect critical company data and keep their reputations
intact.
Note: this editorial plan is subject to the interview availability of the organisations and individuals listed. Suggested topics are
also subject to change.