For over the last decade Microsoft’s innovations have changed the way we all work, collaborate, and create. From reimagining productivity to reinventing security, Microsoft has consistently led the way. During this time Cloudwell has been on an inspiring journey alongside Microsoft too, witnessing firsthand how these technological advances have reshaped industries and improved our clients’ working practices. To mark our 12th anniversary, join us as we take a look back at 12 years of Microsoft innovation, picking out our favorites from each year*, and uncovering how these milestones improved the way we all work.
*We acknowledge that some of the innovations we’ve selected may have originally launched in earlier years, but they gained mainstream traction in the year we’ve highlighted.
2013: Office 365 Home Premium – The Future of Productivity Software
The official launch of Office 365 Home Premium marked a significant step towards cloud-based productivity. Subscribers enjoyed the latest Office applications, 20 GB of OneDrive storage, and 60 Skype minutes per month.
Impact on our customers:
The subscription model changed how users accessed productivity software, allowing for multi-device access and continuous updates. This flexibility led to improved productivity, particularly for remote workers, who could work seamlessly across devices with always-accessible tools.
2014: Azure Machine Learning – Cloud-Based Predictive Analytics
Microsoft introduced Azure Machine Learning, allowing our developers to easily build, deploy, and share predictive analytics models through the cloud with our customers.
Impact on our customers:
Azure Machine Learning was the beginning of democratized AI, making it accessible to organizations of all sizes. Businesses like SMBs, that could previously only dream of predictive analytics, were now able to develop and access insights from data, driving better decision-making and efficiency without hefty infrastructure costs.
2015: Windows 10 – The Return of Familiarity with Cross-Platform Synergy
Windows 10 unified the user experience across PCs, tablets, and smartphones. It reintroduced the Start menu, debuted Cortana as a personal assistant, and launched the new Edge browser.
Impact on our customers:
Windows 10 became a staple for both consumers and enterprises. By bringing back the familiar Start menu and offering consistency across devices, customers were able to seamlessly move between work and home environments. Features like Cortana and virtual desktops boosted productivity and convenience.
2016: Microsoft Cognitive Services – Bringing AI to the Masses
With the launch of Microsoft Cognitive Services, developers were given tools to integrate features like speech recognition and image processing into applications.
Impact on our customers:
This brought advanced AI capabilities to more users, allowing smaller companies to create interactive, intelligent apps. Customer service, accessibility, and user engagement improved across industries, paving the way for more natural and personalized user experiences.
2017: Microsoft 365 – A Unified Subscription for Seamless Productivity
The introduction of Microsoft 365 bundled Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security into one subscription, providing a holistic solution for productivity, security, and device management.
Impact on our customers:
Businesses could now simplify their purchasing and management of essential tools. This integration allowed users to access a fully secure, always-updated ecosystem that empowered collaboration and minimized friction in IT environments.
2018: Microsoft Threat Protection – A Security Powerhouse
Microsoft Threat Protection emerged as Microsoft unified security across Office, Azure, and Windows to create an end-to-end threat detection and remediation solution. This year also saw the introduction of password-less login via the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Impact on our customers:
Customers experienced a significant leap in cybersecurity. The centralized protection simplified security management, allowing IT departments to handle threats effectively and quickly. Password-less login improved user experience, offering convenience while bolstering security.
2019: Azure Synapse Analytics – Unified Big Data and Data Warehousing
Azure Synapse Analytics offered a limitless analytics service that merged big data and data warehousing capabilities.
Impact on our customers:
Businesses gained the ability to analyze massive data sets and derive insights without managing complex infrastructure. Azure Synapse’s powerful query capabilities reduced data silos, resulting in faster, data-driven decisions that fuelled growth and efficiency.
2020: Microsoft Teams Enhancements – The Hero of Remote Work
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft Teams received major enhancements like Together Mode, breakout rooms, and meeting recaps to support the sudden shift to remote work.
Impact on our customers:
Despite launching in 2017, Microsoft Teams became the hero of remote work in 2020, enabling businesses to continue their activities seamlessly during lockdowns. The enhanced features improved collaboration, created a sense of togetherness even from afar, and allowed people to stay productive under challenging circumstances.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft Teams continues to be instrumental in supporting hybrid work, helping organizations maintain productivity and collaboration across both remote and in-office settings.
2021: Microsoft Viva – Prioritizing Employee Experience
The launch of Microsoft Viva brought a new focus on employee experience, integrating communications, learning, and well-being tools into one platform.
Impact on our customers:
Viva allowed businesses to prioritize employee productivity and well-being in an increasingly remote and hybrid world. By providing insights into work patterns, Viva helped employees balance work and personal lives, leading to happier, more engaged teams and ultimately higher productivity.
2022: Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform – Simplifying Data Management
The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform unified Microsoft’s database, analytics, and data governance offerings, simplifying data management and making analytics more accessible.
Impact on our customers:
This platform empowered companies to manage data more efficiently, reducing complexity while enabling fast, informed decision-making. The simplification of data tools allowed even smaller organizations to gain insights that previously required extensive resources.
2023: Copilot for Microsoft 365 – AI-Powered Productivity Boost
This was the year Microsoft integrated AI directly into its apps, providing users with assistance in drafting content, analyzing data, and generating insights in the form of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Impact on our customers:
Now with nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies using Copilot, it has started to elevate clients’ productivity by automating repetitive tasks and offering contextual suggestions. Whether drafting an email or summarizing a report, results from early-adopters show that users can work more efficiently using Copilot.
2024: SharePoint Premium – AI-Powered Content Management
Whilst officially launched at the end of 2023, SharePoint Premium came into its element in 2024 introducing advanced AI capabilities to content management, helping users organize, access, and collaborate on documents effectively.
Impact on our customers:
Whilst it’s still early days, the AI features within SharePoint Premium significantly improve content discoverability and streamlined workflows. Clients using SharePoint Premium can now manage shared knowledge more efficiently, enhancing productivity and driving smarter collaboration across projects.
Empowering Customers with Cutting-Edge Solutions
It’s amazing to look back at the Microsoft tech advancements during the last 12 years. From the introduction of productivity software to the AI-powered breakthroughs of Microsoft Copilot, these advancements have reshaped how we work.
During this time, our Cloudwell journey has also been one of constant evolution, driven by a commitment to empower our customers with cutting-edge solutions that enhance productivity and foster growth, leading us to build some of the highest rated productivity tools in AppSource today.
We’re committed to pushing boundaries and embracing the future of innovation. So, whether you’re looking to streamline your operations, enhance security, or harness the power of AI, Cloudwell is here to help you navigate the next chapter in your digital transformation.
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Let’s shape the future together—contact Cloudwell today to learn more about how we can support your journey to success.