Microsoft (MSFT) news recap: changes in leadership, Project Malmo, Excel is what Microsot is all about

Microsoft (MSFT) news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!

This week has been a little calmer than usual in the run-up to the Anniversary Update, however, several leadership changes have taken place, along with a few other headlines: Windows Store Anime Month, a bold statement from Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella saying Excel is Microsoft’s greatest product, changes in Microsoft China and France and more. Let’s get right into it!

Satya Nadella makes a bold statement about Excel begin “a symbol of what Microsoft is al about”

A few days ago, Microsoft’s CEO stated that Excel is Microsoft’s greatest product yet. It is what Microsoft is all about, causing debates over on social media.

Greater China CEO moves up, Microsoft France President takes over, new CVP for Latin America

Several leadership changes took place at Microsoft this week, where Ralph Haupter is moving up the ladder to become Microsoft’s Asia Pacific president, and also gain the title of worldwide senior vice president. His place will be taken by Alain Crozier, who has been leading Microsoft France as its president.

Moving to America, Cesar Cernuda will be in charge of six subsidiaries as the new Corporate Vice President for Latin America, moving from the position of leading Microsoft’s business in Asia Pacific for the last three years.

Microsoft announces Australia Partner Awards finalists highlighting cloud transformation innovation

Microsoft will hold an event in September, where they will announce the top finalists of the Australia Partner Awards that all have shown clear strides in assisting Microsoft with new and emerging technologies.

Microsoft’s battle with Salesforce.com over LinkedIn acquisition added $6 billion to purchase price, meanwhile the LinkedIn CEO could make $88 million 

The LinkedIn acquisition is still a hot topic and more information is surfacing around the deal, with a number of previously unnamed companies competing with Microsoft. One of those bidders was Salesforce.com.

While Microsoft spent big bucks, LinkedIn’s CEO and Founder made it out quite well.

Microsoft joins Monsanto to invest in Brazil agriculture tech, and open sources Project Malmo

Microsoft and US biotech company Monsanto they have partnered to invest in agricultural technology startups in Brazil. Microsoft is known for investing in startups, projects and technologies so this move shouldn’t be all too surprising.

While we are on the topic of projects, Microsoft announced the release of its open source Project Malmo which uses Minecraft for AI research and development. This tool should help develop more human-like AI’s.

Microsoft’s chief operating officer, Kevin Turner, leaves for Citadel Securities, and Satya Nadella updates on the topic

Microsoft is not done with changes in their management. Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Turner, who was previously in charge of Microsoft’s global sales operation, has left the company.

Following this departure, Satya Nadella sent an open email to Microsoft’s employees saying that Turner’s former responsibilities will now be shared between several other Microsoft executives.

Renaming of Enterprise Mobility Suite to Enterprise Mobility + Security

Microsoft is renaming its Enterprise Mobility Suite by renaming it to Enterprise Mobility + Security. The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite or EMS for short will remain roughly the same Identity-driven security solution.

Microsoft continues to streamline enterprise licensing, adding Enterprise Advantage on MPSA 2017

Microsoft is continuing to make use of their services easier across the business market. By allowing enterprises to use MSPA, companies now have access to the whole Microsoft package at once.

Announcement of 4th quarter earnings will happen on July 19th

The board is not sure if Microsoft has invested enough in its complete cloud lineup, and is closely examining the earnings of the company. The results will be announced and released to the public on July 19th

Data centre expansion continues, by leasing space, most recently in Northern Virginia

Data space is something that businesses constantly need more of. Major cloud providers are trying new technologies to increase available space, and lately, Microsoft has been pretty influencing.

Microsoft breaks records, stores data on DNA

We were just talking about storage and here is something that could help not only the cloud. In the future, we could see computers or smartphones using DNA to store data, as Microsoft Research and the University of Washington managed to store 200MB of data on an incredibly small piece of DNA.

Taking a little step back from the serious news – the cringe-worthy “bae interns” was a mistake

If you don’t know what “bae interns” are, you’re not alone. The whole world laughed at the strange email that surfaced on Twitter this week. The company says it was a mistake and is now addressing it.

Deals this week

Hunting for some money-saving deals? There have been only one, but a good one, this week that you can make use of:

• The Microsoft Store Anime month, giving away free anime and more

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