Exciting Updates in Data & AI at Microsoft Ignite 2021

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Microsoft Mesh: A New Mixed Reality Platform
3. The Maturity Curve of Microsoft Mesh
4. Updates in Azure
   1. Semantic Search in Azure Cognitive Search
   2. Form Recognizer Enhancements
   3. Improvements in Machine Learning
   4. Azure Percept: ML on the Edge
   5. Azure Arc Support in Azure Machine Learning
5. Updates in Azure Data
   1. Azure SYNAPSE Pathway: A Migration Tool
   2. Updates in Stream Analytics
   3. Purview Updates: Increased Data Source Support
   4. Power Automate: Desktop Version
   5. Per User Pricing for Power BI Premium
   6. Redis and Cosmos DB Enhancements
   7. Managed Instance for Cassandra in Azure
6. Conclusion

Microsoft Ignite 2021: Highlights and Updates

Microsoft Ignite 2021, the annual conference organized by Microsoft, unveiled several exciting updates and new technologies. One of the standout announcements was Microsoft Mesh, a mixed reality platform that aims to revolutionize collaboration and development. Although it is currently in the early adopter phase, Microsoft Mesh has the potential to transform the way we communicate and work together in a 3D space.

Microsoft Mesh: A New Mixed Reality Platform

Microsoft Mesh is a mixed reality platform that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. It enables users to collaborate and Interact in a virtual environment, regardless of their physical locations. With Microsoft Mesh, individuals can join virtual meetings using augmented reality headsets or other compatible devices and immerse themselves in a shared 3D space.

Initially, Microsoft Mesh may seem like a niche product with limited applications due to the high cost of augmented reality headsets and the lack of widespread software integration. However, the true potential of Microsoft Mesh lies in its role as a platform for collaboration and development. As the user base grows and more developers start working on it, the availability of diverse apps and integrations will increase. Additionally, as the hardware evolves and becomes more affordable, Microsoft Mesh has the potential to become a widely adopted and accessible technology with numerous valuable use cases.

The Maturity Curve of Microsoft Mesh

While Microsoft Mesh is currently in the early adopter phase, it represents a significant step towards maturity in the mixed reality space. The early adopter phase is characterized by a limited number of users and high costs, making it impractical for widespread adoption. However, as the technology progresses, more people will start using it, leading to advancements in hardware, software, and affordability.

As Microsoft Mesh evolves, it will move up the maturity curve, making it more accessible and appealing to a broader user base. In a few years, we can expect to see a range of affordable devices and widespread integration of Microsoft Mesh into various applications. This progress will unlock countless opportunities for innovation and enable the development of even more exciting features and functionalities.

Updates in Azure

Microsoft Ignite 2021 also introduced several updates and enhancements in the Azure ecosystem. These updates aim to improve existing services and empower developers and data professionals to achieve more. Some notable updates include:

Semantic Search in Azure Cognitive Search

Azure Cognitive Search now offers semantic search capabilities, revolutionizing the way we search and retrieve information. Previously, search was primarily Based on keywords, limiting the accuracy and relevance of results. With semantic search, Azure Cognitive Search leverages advanced models to understand synonyms, correct spelling mistakes, and interpret the intent behind English queries. This enhancement provides users with more accurate and contextually Relevant search results.

Form Recognizer Enhancements

Form Recognizer, a powerful tool for extracting data from forms and documents, received significant updates. It now supports additional language translations, making it even more versatile and valuable for organizations dealing with vast amounts of form data. With the ability to recognize information from a wide range of forms and documents, Form Recognizer streamlines Data Extraction processes and improves overall efficiency.

Improvements in Machine Learning

Azure Machine Learning received updates to enhance its functionality and integration capabilities. It now offers better role-based security, aligning it with other Azure services. Additionally, there is improved integration with Visual Studio Code for seamless machine learning workflows. Furthermore, Azure Percept, another new addition, allows running Azure Machine Learning tasks at the edge, enabling real-time scoring and processing on local devices with advanced controls and performance.

Azure Arc Support in Azure Machine Learning

Azure Arc provides the ability to manage Azure services like Azure Machine Learning in on-premises environments. With Azure Arc support, organizations can run Azure Machine Learning on their own Kubernetes clusters, allowing greater flexibility and control over the deployment and management of machine learning models. This integration enables data professionals to leverage Azure Machine Learning capabilities wherever they need them, expanding deployment options beyond the Azure ecosystem.

Updates in Azure Data

Microsoft Ignite 2021 brought several updates to Azure Data services, further empowering organizations to leverage their data assets effectively. Some key updates in Azure Data include:

Azure Synapse Pathway: A Migration Tool

Azure Synapse Pathway simplifies the migration process by enabling seamless transfer of existing data and workloads to Azure Synapse Analytics. This migration tool assesses the complexity and risks associated with migrating from various data platforms and provides insights to make the migration process smoother. With Azure Synapse Pathway, organizations can migrate from platforms like SQL Server, Teradata, Snowflake, or BigQuery to Azure Synapse with ease.

Updates in Stream Analytics

Azure Stream Analytics, a real-time data processing and analytics service, received updates to enhance its capabilities. It now offers the option to deploy single-tenant clusters, allowing users to ensure data isolation and meet security and compliance requirements. This update enables organizations to leverage the power of Azure Stream Analytics while maintaining a highly secure and controlled environment.

Purview Updates: Increased Data Source Support

Purview, Microsoft's data governance solution, received extensive updates, expanding its support for various data sources. Purview now allows scanning of data stored in AWS Simple Storage Service (S3), increasing its compatibility and usability for organizations using multi-cloud environments. Additionally, Purview now supports ERP systems like SAP S/4HANA and ECC, as well as Oracle databases. These updates make Purview a more comprehensive data discovery and cataloging tool, enabling organizations to gain better visibility and control over their data assets.

Power Automate: Desktop Version

Microsoft introduced Power Automate Desktop, a desktop version of its popular Power Automate platform. Power Automate Desktop allows users to automate tasks on their local machines, eliminating the need for manual repetitive actions. With Power Automate Desktop, users can Create automated workflows using a visual interface to combine actions and triggers, simplifying complex tasks and improving productivity. This tool is particularly useful for individuals who want to automate various processes without the need for extensive coding.

Per User Pricing for Power BI Premium

Microsoft announced per user pricing for Power BI Premium, making advanced Power BI features more accessible to organizations of all sizes. Instead of requiring a dedicated Power BI Premium capacity, organizations can now enable premium functionality for specific users. This pricing model offers a cost-effective approach, allowing organizations with limited Power BI usage to still leverage premium features on a per user basis. This update enables more users to benefit from advanced analytics and reporting capabilities within Power BI.

Redis and Cosmos DB Enhancements

Microsoft also introduced improvements in Azure Cache for Redis and Azure Cosmos DB. Azure Cache for Redis now provides support for single-tenant clusters, offering better security and isolation for organizations with specific compliance requirements. Additionally, Azure Cosmos DB received updates for continuous backup and point-in-time recovery, enhancing data protection capabilities. Furthermore, Cosmos DB now includes managed instance for Cassandra, providing organizations with an alternative option for migrating their Cassandra workloads to Azure.

Conclusion

Microsoft Ignite 2021 showcased numerous highlights and updates across various Microsoft technologies and services. With the introduction of Microsoft Mesh, the mixed reality platform, Microsoft aims to revolutionize collaboration and development in virtual environments. Additionally, updates in Azure and Azure Data services enhance functionalities, improve developer experiences, and provide organizations with valuable tools for managing and leveraging their data assets efficiently.

The future looks promising as these advancements Continue to Shape the way we work, collaborate, and innovate. It is essential for organizations and individuals to stay informed and explore these updates to unlock new opportunities and drive digital transformation in their respective domains.

FAQ

Q: What is Microsoft Mesh? A: Microsoft Mesh is a mixed reality platform that allows users to collaborate and interact in a shared 3D space using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Q: What are the benefits of Microsoft Mesh? A: Microsoft Mesh enables real-time collaboration, immersive virtual meetings, and spatial computing. It has the potential to revolutionize communication and collaboration by creating a shared virtual environment accessible from anywhere.

Q: Are there any affordable options for using Microsoft Mesh? A: Currently, Microsoft Mesh is in the early adopter phase and can be costly due to the need for expensive augmented reality headsets. However, as the technology matures, more affordable options are expected to become available.

Q: What are the updates in Azure? A: Some notable updates in Azure include semantic search in Azure Cognitive Search, enhancements in Form Recognizer, improvements in machine learning capabilities, Azure Percept for ML on the edge, and Azure Arc support in Azure Machine Learning.

Q: What is Power Automate? A: Power Automate is a platform that enables users to automate tasks and processes across various applications and services. It offers both cloud-based and desktop versions, allowing users to create automated workflows without extensive coding.

Q: How is Azure Data evolving? A: Azure Data services are evolving with updates such as Azure Synapse Pathway for simplified data migration, enhancements in Stream Analytics for real-time data processing, and updates in Purview for increased data source support. Additionally, there are improvements in Power BI premium pricing, Redis and Cosmos DB functionalities, and managed instance for Cassandra in Azure.

Q: How can organizations benefit from the updates in Azure? A: The updates in Azure provide organizations with improved data management capabilities, enhanced automation options, and additional data source support. These updates enable organizations to streamline processes, gain better insights from their data, and leverage advanced analytics and reporting functionalities.

Q: Are there any pricing changes for Power BI Premium? A: Yes, Microsoft has introduced per user pricing for Power BI Premium, allowing organizations to enable premium functionality for specific users instead of requiring a dedicated premium capacity. This pricing model makes advanced Power BI features more accessible and cost-effective for organizations with limited Power BI usage.

Q: How does Redis and Cosmos DB benefit from the updates? A: The updates in Azure Cache for Redis provide support for single-tenant clusters, offering better security and compliance options. On the other hand, Azure Cosmos DB receives continuous backup and point-in-time recovery improvements, enhancing data protection capabilities. Additionally, managed instances for Cassandra in Cosmos DB provide an alternative option for migrating Cassandra workloads to Azure.