Azure Updates: Edge-to-cloud; Observability service; Data management

Microsoft Partner GM Tony Shakib contends that continued market volatility means that businesses need to adopt edge-to-cloud to gain insights and an edge in the market. Microsoft is working to combine IoT, AI, and edge technology for this purpose. Edge-to-cloud can help to support inventory optimization, a modernized customer experience, loss prevention, and support for frontline workers. “Data provides the mechanism to solve these challenges. However, that data is often stuck in legacy systems with archaic deployment and authoring environments. Azure makes it possible for retailers to perform large-scale analytics on data pulled from all areas of the enterprise, and then use retail-specific data models to take action,” he wrote.

Shakib gave the example of Microsoft partner Ombori and their work to integrate data from touch screens, kiosks, and IoT devices, or Cooler Screens using Azure to support touch screen cooler doors. Walmart Canada has adopted digital tags for more precise pricing, whereas Walgreens and Grupo Bimbo have created combined data estates across large markets where they operate.

Senior product manager Vikas Singhvi announced enhanced observability with the with the launch of the Azure New Relic Service. To date, customers could only access New Relic’s observability platform by going through a complex process involving custom code, event hubs, and credentials. Going forward, customers will have access to unified billing, options to ship logs, bulk install New Relic on VMs, and ways to carry out application performance monitoring.