Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2024

Bringing Customers and Partners Together

We recently attended the Microsoft Ignite in-person event in Chicago, IL. This event combined the Microsoft customer-facing event with the Microsoft Partner event (previously "Inspire"). The in-person attendance of over 14,000 combined Microsoft customers and partners and virtual attendance was well over 200,000. Besides seeing many of our colleagues in the Microsoft Partner ecosphere, it was an incredible experience, brimming with innovations and insights —and filled with groundbreaking announcements and innovative technologies that are set to transform the way we work.

From cutting-edge advancements in AI to transformative updates in project and portfolio management tools, the event underscored the dynamic ways Microsoft technology is empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Here are some of the standout highlights and key takeaways from this year’s Ignite:

AI in Project Management

A major theme of the event was the powerful role of Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Agents. One of the most exciting developments is the integration of AI in project management through Microsoft Planner. 

Howard Crow showcased the new Project Manager Agent, demonstrating how AI can help resolve persistent obstacles and enhance project efficiency. This is a significant step forward in leveraging technology to streamline project management processes.

Planner Copilot Integrations

One of the event's announcements came from Satya Nadella, unveiling the Planner Copilot integration for project management. This integration introduces advanced automation and intelligence to project planning, empowering teams to easily create and expand project plans while staying aligned with business goals.

Automatic Status Reports

The new automatic status report feature in Planner was another note-worthy announcement.

This feature is a big-time saver for project managers, allowing them to generate status reports automatically and focus on more strategic tasks.

AI's Impact on Work

One of the best quotes from the event was, "AI is helping eliminate soul-sucking work". This encapsulates the transformative potential of AI to remove mundane, repetitive tasks, enabling employees to focus on meaningful, creative, and value-driven work.

Microsoft’s Vision

Satya Nadella reinforced Microsoft’s commitment to becoming “the world’s computer.” This vision has profound implications for project and work management, emphasizing the importance of a platform-first strategy for achieving higher performance ensuring tools like Planner, Viva, and others remain at the forefront of empowering modern workplaces.

New Announcements

Ignite also brought exciting updates, such as the introduction of an agent for Viva Engage and the launch of a Copilot control system for better control and security over platform AI. These advancements showcase Microsoft’s dedication to delivering smarter, safer, and more connected solutions for organizations.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Ignite 2024 was an inspiring event showcasing the latest advancements in AI and project management. The new features and integrations announced at the event are set to revolutionize the way we work, making our processes more efficient and our outcomes more impactful.

We are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey as a trusted Microsoft partner. These advancements align perfectly with our mission to empower individuals and organizations to achieve higher performance with happier people. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a Microsoft partner!

Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. Celebrating the 2024 Partner of the Year Winners!

#PartnersMakeMorePossible

Celebrating our 2024 Microsoft worldwide PPM partner of the year with awesome customers and colleagues!