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Growing your career: permanent & freelance IT Consultants

How to Find a Job in IT

4 Tips to Find a Job in IT While Being Unemployed

Given how competitive today’s IT jobs market is, most of us can use a few pointers on how to find a job in IT.

But, first of all, let’s get something out of the way: the question of whether it is best to look for a job when employed than when unemployed.

There are many reasons why someone would think looking for a job while unemployed is harder. Hiring companies might be suspicious of your trajectory when you have been out of the game for a while. They could think you lack certain skills or drive; that there’s something missing from your profile that led to you being unemployed.  

On the other hand, looking for a new job when you already have one shows ambition, nonconformity. It is proof that the IT talent market values you and gives you more leverage when negotiating your contract conditions.  

Well – yes and no.  

There are many good reasons for an IT professional to be out of work. You might be waiting for the perfect project, planning a change in direction. Or perhaps you simply wanted to take some time off after a few intense projects in a row. That’s especially true for freelancers, who often experience employment gaps in between projects.  

These four simple steps can be of help to find a job in IT, whether you are employed or unemployed.

Develop a solid portfolio to find a job in IT while being unemployed  

Chances are you already have a great deal of experience under your wing. You’ve worked for interesting companies, played a key role in noteworthy projects, helped bring to light successful products.  

Beyond including all that experience in your CV, putting together a short portfolio can help potential employers get a better picture of your skills and strengths. It doesn’t need to be a portfolio as polished as. Let’s say, that of a designer or a graphic artist – a simple explanation of every one of your best projects will suffice. If you’re after a programming job, put together some of your best code.  

Gather your references 

Nothing validates your capabilities better than satisfied former employers. Instead of waiting for the hiring company to ask for your professional references, present them upfront. By doing so, you will be showing proactiveness, confidence in your professional profile. It will also help you stand out among other candidates.  

A good letter of recommendation by an ex-colleague who is in a good position and/or company at the moment can be very helpful as well.

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Keep on learning 

This is something you should do even if you are not looking for a job at the moment. Since technology is continuously evolving, your success as an IT pro depends in great part on your ability to keep up with the most in-demand skills – both technical and other, softer skills.  

Take advantage of the many free online IT courses out there. Develop new skills, challenge yourself. It will show employers you’re not just standing there, idle, that you are ambitious and in constant motion. 

Find a job in IT by attending industry events 

It’s true: the pandemic has put on halt most in-person industry events. However, and just like the rest of the business world, these get-togethers are adapting to the new reality.  

Webinars, online Q&As… These events offer a great opportunity for you to gain visibility within the community, to talk or chat to potential employers and let them know you are looking to find a job in IT. It’s always easier to get your foot in the door through an in-person (or online) introduction. 

Need more tips on how to find a job in IT? Check out our IT job hunting guide.

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Press review Tech Magazine

Weekly News: How brain-like should AI be?

Weekly News: How brain-like should AI be?

How brain-like should AI be? Cloud and clear, Microsoft… News from the frontlines… Discover our Tech & IT weekly news.

How brain-like should AI be?

What constitutes intelligence and how do we replicate it? Computer experts and neuroscientists have long been after a universal theory of intelligence. The idea is simple — the more we understand how the brain works, the better our AI will be.

Well, not exactly. 

Kelly Clancy, a neuroscientist working with Google’s DeepMind, delves deep into the issue in this WIRED article. Her main point? Two different roads often lead to the same place. 

AI developers should keep in mind that what works for our brain might not work in machines, and vice versa.

Not enough AI in your life? Here’s a list of books on artificial intelligence that you can read.

Learn more about Microsoft with our Microsoft Technologies Careers Guide

Cloud and clear, Microsoft

Speaking of AI – during its annual Built conference, Microsoft unveiled a new partnership with OpenAI to develop an Azure-hosted AI supercomputer.

The computer will be among the 5 most advanced supercomputers in the world. It will be deployed to test large-scale models and advance towards general artificial intelligence.

Microsoft also announced its first industry-specific cloud offering for the healthcare sector. The solution, which is now available in public preview, connects products like Microsoft 365 for marketing and customer service and Azure IoT. 

Use cases include the development of a “patient journey” that helps manage patient care and maximises positive outcomes.

News from the frontlines…

One more week means one less week until things start looking normal again. This is what the tech world is doing to help in the fight against COVID-19…

If the pandemic has taught us anything about retail IT is that, unlike larger companies, SMEs don’t always have the means to shift to digital operations when needed. In what is big news for e-commerce, Facebook has launched Shops, a new service that will allow companies to sell products on its platforms.

The debate over the effectiveness of contact tracing technology rages on. Industry competitors and researchers are teaming up against all odds to create apps that respect user privacy, but poor adoption could undermine all these efforts. Nature magazine takes an in-depth look at the issue. 

Plenty going on with tech these days. Even Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, used his keynote speech at this year’s Build to congratulate the tech industry’s response to the global crisis.

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Also discover our Weekly News: How Tech Is Rewiring our Brains

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IT Decision-makers Talent strategy

5 Benefits of Including IT Freelancers in Your Team

5 Benefits of Including IT Freelancers in Your Team

IT freelancers can bring invaluable help to your internal IT team. The direct benefits of involving external consultants are obvious: it’s an efficient way for companies to speed up certain initiatives and tackle ad hoc projects. Indeed, they bring in critical skills that your team was lacking while allowing for more contractual flexibility. Given the speedy and everchanging nature of today’s business world, it is no wonder that the hiring of tech freelancers is on the rise.

However, that’s not all. The regular presence of external consultants has a more indirect beneficial impact on the team in place.

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

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Skills transfer

Often, freelancers are recruited to compensate for a lack of skills available internally — either because these cannot be mobilised in time, or because no one on the team has them.

In these cases, the intervention of an external expert can foster skills development of existing employees. By being in contact with an expert consultant, the teams in place can learn and benefit from the knowledge-sharing inherent to running a project. Although they will not themselves become experts on the subject in question, they will undoubtedly gain significant understanding in this area of expertise.

Sharing experience on similar project with IT freelancers

By definition, an IT freelancer moves from one project to another and very often, from one company to another. Then, this diversity and multiplicity of experiences allow freelancers to better understand the challenges of a project, giving your team the opportunity to refer to past experiences.

Also, by capitalising on this experience, technology consultants give companies access to best practices, allowing teams to save precious time by avoiding common mistakes.

For example, an SAP consultant who has already participated in a S/4HANA migration project in another company will have valuable insights on how to implement the project and the technical solutions required. 

IT freelancers : a fresh look and a critical mind

Moreover, an external point of view is something every company can take advantage of and IT consultants can approach a problem from a neutral perspective. Unburdened by internal politics and red tape, they can take a deeper look at the dysfunctions of a system, the opportunities to simplify a process, the good or bad organisational practices of an IT department or a project, etc.

In fact, for freelancers involved in longer projects, it is often beneficial to by making a full inventory of existing processes and tools, with recommendations for improvement.

New ideas and to spur innovation

Bringing new blood to a team is always beneficial, regardless of the department concerned.

In addition, external consultants introduce new factors that can lead to the birth of new ideas and stimulate a real dynamic of innovation within your team. This has made some industry experts refer to freelancers as “pollinators,” who go around accumulating experiences and disseminating them.

The diversity of profiles within a team, and therefore the joint work between internal and external resources, is a key factor in the correct implementation of the collective intelligence model.

Efficient working methods

Also, freelance workers have more flexibility in managing their schedule, as their hours cannot be imposed by the employer. Consequently, there is no presenteeism among freelancers. Results are essential.

Accordingly, an IT consultant must organise their time as best as possible to finish their project on time, demonstrating maximum productivity, efficiency and a sense of prioritisation.

As with all the previous points, it can be useful for members of your team to learn from working methods that are often different from those they are used to applying. A freelancer who works on-site can have a very positive influence and boost the motivation and productivity of the team in place.

In some cases, IT freelancers can even develop existing managerial models by playing the role of evangelists of, for example, greater flexibility at work — Freelancers who work remotely knew the ins and outs of remote work way before COVID-19 hit the corporate world.

Are you looking for IT mission opportunities in the Tech and IT sectors on a freelance or permanent basis? Mindquest can help you find your next IT mission opportunity. Find your next mission by browsing our freelance and permanent vacancies available on our digital recruitment platform.

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Hiring an IT consultant IT Decision-makers

Choosing the Right Recruiting Partner for Your IT Needs

right recruitment partner

In the rapidly evolving landscape of IT, hiring and retaining top talent continue to pose challenges for modern enterprises. Also, the ongoing skills deficit, exacerbated by the fast-changing technological terrain, necessitates a strategic edge for IT leaders and HR managers. Therefore, choosing the right recruiting partner remains crucial. Explore our updated tips for selecting the ideal partner to address your current IT talent needs.

Need advice on how to start or develop your consulting business in tech or IT? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.


Choosing the Right Recruiting Partner: The impact of technology

Digital transformation permeates every aspect of modern business, including recruiting and human resources. When assessing a staffing firm, pay attention to how it leverages technology to enhance operations and deliver superior service. In today’s context, it’s essential for an IT staffing firm to embrace technology fully.

Consider advancements in AI tools, which now play a pivotal role in expediting the recruitment process. AI enables swift processing of extensive candidate data, including previous roles, areas of expertise, and preferences. In a field where time is critical, the ability to rapidly match candidate profiles with company requirements is a decisive advantage.

Dedicated Support and Expertise: A Dual Perspective

Most staffing firms traditionally combine client management and candidate identification into a single role. However, the best firms take a dual-perspective approach. One team manages client interactions, gathering position details and requirements, while another team focuses on identifying the right candidate. This separation enhances efficiency, speed, and the overall quality of work. It allows both client management and candidate sourcing to offer more personalized, dedicated support to hiring companies.

In the current landscape, with the increasing complexity of roles and the ongoing talent shortage, the need for dedicated expertise has never been more apparent. Specialized skills required for a position can vary significantly based on the field and seniority. To address this, leading staffing firms structure their teams by specialization, ensuring staff members are proficient in the specific areas of expertise required for a given vacancy.

Innovation through Data and Insights: Adapting to the Current Market

The third piece of the puzzle is data. As it happens in any other industry, quality insights are at the heart of a successful IT hiring strategy. Look for recruiters who know how to make the most of the data they come by with and mine.

Moreover, being in permanent contact with organisations and IT professionals allows the best staffing firms to develop a deep and well-rounded understanding of current industry trends. These firms have a good sense of the challenges and needs driving mid- and long-term goals for clients and candidates. In addition to this, data-savvy recruiters can provide you with a more qualitative level of market intelligence – like the skill requirements and salary for a typical position – from which to derive actionable insights. 

Navigating the Dynamic IT Landscape

In conclusion, the challenges of hiring in IT persist, but the strategies for overcoming them have evolved. Choosing a recruiting partner is more critical than ever, with technology, dedicated support, and data-driven insights at the forefront. As the IT landscape continues to shift, selecting a partner who adapts and innovates ensures your organization secures the top-tier talent needed to thrive in the dynamic IT market.

Explore how Mindquest can be your strategic IT recruiting partner.


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Press review Tech Magazine

The Task of Rebuilding AI Infrastructure: Machines and the New Reality

The Task of Rebuilding AI Infrastructure: Machines and the New Reality
Rebuilding AI Infrastructure? A lot of AI models were built for a world that no longer exists. But the status quo has changed with COVID-19.

A lot of AI models were built for a world that no longer exists. We trained algorithms to interpret consumer behaviour and user patterns based on a certain notion of normality. But the status quo has changed with COVID-19. Let’s talk about the task of rebuilding AI infrastructure.

Online search terms, purchases, location data – every metric right now is suggestive of a society that has nothing to do with what our world looked like a few months ago.

What would you think of early-2020 humans if you were to just look at raw data? Sedentary creatures, obsessed with acquiring toilet paper and prompt to anger over social media.

That’s what Will Douglas Heaven, senior AI editor for MIT Technology Review, focuses on in his article this week.

We’re adapting to the new normal. The machine learning algorithms powering the modern enterprise will need to be revised as well.

Rebuilding AI Infrastructure

Customised Google search

Just like we resort to Google or any other search engine to unearth all the existing information on a certain topic, companies have for long struggled to make it easier for their employees and end-users to search for information across internal data silos.

This week, Amazon announced the general availability of Kendra, its own solution to this problem. The platform leverages natural language processing to let users search for anything they need through natural questions rather than keywords.

And so, automation keeps on permeating and refining enterprise systems.

News from the frontlines

Another week means a new host of tech initiatives meant to combat the spread and effects of the pandemic. 

Some weeks ago, Twitter announced a series of tools intended to dissuade users from posting harmful content. This week, Facebook made public early results outlining how its AI-based, hate-speech countermeasures are working. Promising, albeit still a ways to go.

Experts in every discipline are relying on tech to come up with ways of avoiding future catastrophes and carry better, collective lives. The Financial Times examines what one of these experts has to say about re-thinking cities for a better future.

Discover more content about artificial intelligence:

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IT Decision-makers Tips & errors to avoid

The Best Tech Podcasts for IT Pros

The Best Tech Podcasts for IT Pros
What are the best Tech podcasts for IT pros? A list with a few tech-related podcasts that should be part of any IT professional’s audio library.

What are the best Tech podcasts for IT pros? If it’s true that we are what we eat, then it might also be worth entertaining the idea that we are what we listen to. We’ve put together a list with a few tech-related podcasts that should be part of any IT professional’s audio library.  

From interviews with subject matter experts to business news analysis and futurism. This list has everything you’ll need to give you an edge in your career journey. Best of all? It’s all free. 

Looking for a job in IT? Check out our IT job hunting guide.

Best tech podcasts for IT Pros

Recode Decode 

There are few names in tech journalism that are as prominent as Kara Swisher’s. After making a career covering high-level cases around Silicon Valley, the U.S. reporter started Recode Decode in 2015. But what was originally a tech-exclusive interview show has now transcended into the broader public realm. Snatching AdWeek’s best podcast of 2019 prize.   

Thrice a week, Swisher interviews tech executives, politicians and public personalities to discuss their big ideas about changing the world. As an IT professional, it’s important to keep an open mind. Swisher’s show is a great way of expanding your horizons.   

You can start with this episode on how the global lockdown will forever impact the way we work. 

If you are looking for a more tech-focused approach, the Recode Decode brand is also host to other, more targeted tech podcasts. We recommend you check out Reset, a show on how and why tech is changing everything.   

Start with this episode on the future of work and the role of technology in it.  

WSJ’s The Future of Everything 

Speaking of how tech will shape our future – make sure you give a try to this Wall Street Journal podcast. The Future of Everything features interviews and analysis by the newspaper’s best reporters, exploring, together with industry pioneers, how technology and science are changing every aspect of life and business.  

If you want to keep tab on the tech innovations and trends transforming your industry and others, this is your show. A great way of staying ahead of events and the competition. 

You can start with this episode on the future of artificial intelligence. 

This Week in Tech 

If you’d like to focus more on the present, This Week in Tech with Leo Laporte is a good show to stay up-to-date with industry news. From mergers and acquisitions to product and software releases, this popular podcast makes honour to its name by looking at the past week in tech news.  

This is your go-to show if you enjoy a mix of straight-up business news and other, softer news stories like Elon Musk’s new son, X Æ A-12, and how his name should be pronounced.     

Here’s their latest episode.  

Clockwise 

Delving deeper into the user side of technology, Clockwise proposes a rather quick-paced and original format. Under 30 minutes, 4 panellists discuss 4 tech topics impacting society and business — from how COVID-19 contact tracing technology works to remote troubleshooting tips for IT pros. 

The show combines actionable insight and information with good humour and commentary on the everyday life of tech professionals. An excellent lunch companion.  

You can start with their latest episode, the topics of which include a post-pandemic wish list of tech changes and a recap of the best (and worst) phishing attempts.  

IDG’s CIO Podcasts 

If you are at a managerial level or in charge of IT strategy and operations, IDG’s CIO Podcasts can be very helpful. Packed with interviews with CIOs and IT leaders, the podcasts are a great way of keeping track of IT management best practices.  

The publication has two separate podcasts series for the U.K. and North America.  

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Job Descriptions Web Developer

Ruby Developer : Job Description

Ruby Developer
Ruby is a free programming language, object-oriented and multi-paradigm, popular in digital start-ups & companies. Discover the role of the Ruby Developer.

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive Ruby Dev job description to attract top talent.

In the field of web development, there are many specialities and languages ​​including Swift, Node.js, React.js or Ruby. Ruby is a free programming language. It is object-oriented and multi-paradigm. Relatively few developers choose to specialise in this language, although its syntax is easy to understand and pleasant to use. However, it is a popular language in digital start-ups and companies, such as Airbnb, Hulu or Groupon. Discover the role of the Ruby Developer.

Also explore the role of the QlikView Developer

What is the role of a Ruby Developer?

Analyse project specifications

The first mission is to understand the needs of their client, whether internal or external. It’s also to implement the programming solutions best suited to the budget and timing of the project.

Develop adapted applications and functionalities

Using the Ruby programming language and the open-source Ruby on Rails framework, the developer is responsible for coding and designing web applications that respect the specifications established by the web project manager or IT manager.

Manage tests and monitor project development

Throughout the coding process, the Ruby Developer is responsible for the testing. Once the solutions are in place, the developer must ensure that everything works properly. They must also often train their client or internal teams in the new systems installed.

Required skills of the Ruby Developer

Mastery of the Ruby language

The developer must master this programming language at their fingertips, as well as the open-source Ruby on Rails framework. It is also useful to master other web languages: HTML, CSS, Javascript…

Ability to self-educate

The Ruby language evolves regularly, so developers must always be aware of new features and be able to use them effectively. This requires regular reading and self-training.

Polyvalence

The developer must often be able to work on the web, on mobile applications, on video games … They must, therefore, have knowledge in all these areas in addition to their technical programming knowledge.

Quick execution

If there is a problem with a web or mobile application, it must be managed quickly. The expert must, therefore, know how to analyze where the malfunction comes from and find the solution in the shortest possible time.

Within the industry

The Ruby speciality is quite rare for a developer, so the profile that is quite sought after by companies. The expert can work in a web agency, as a permanent employee or as a freelancer.

Salary of the Ruby Developer

The average daily rate fluctuates between €300 and €550.

Training of the Ruby Developer

In conclusion, a degree from a college or technical school can help candidates access this position. However, it is possible to specialise in Ruby through specific training and certifications. There are also plenty of online resources for professionals to self-educate.

Discover all the web development programming skills and professions

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Press review Tech Magazine

Businesses are Preparing the Return to Activity

IT News

Almost two months after the start of the global lockdown, some parts of the world are slowly starting to reopen. People walk the streets and are allowed in stores again, albeit under strict social distancing guidelines. 

Business is ready to get back on track, but companies now face the double challenge of ramping up activity and adapting to a new normal. Last week we discussed how investing in IT is crucial to enterprise survival and recovery – this week we saw some positive signs confirming this trend.

Many multinational companies are hiring for their Indian offshore IT centres, while the country’s demand for senior positions related to digital transformation remains strong.  

As yesterday’s Harvard Business Review article reminds us, the key to digital transformation is talent, not technology.

Microsoft is doing more than well

It was not that long ago that Microsoft seemed destined to take a more secondary role in the future of enterprise technology. But the company bounced back.

This week was packed with news from the Redmond, Virginia company — from a 59% quarterly increase in cloud revenue to an upcoming update to its VMware Azure integration.

More about Microsoft’s momentum in our latest industry snapshot. Spoiler alert: you could win up to $200K if you beat the company’s new hacking challenge.

More on contact tracing

This week we got more details on the upcoming contact tracing technology that Apple and Google are developing to help fight the spread of COVID-19. 

Addressing what has been one of the most contentious points of debate, the duo said their app will not permit the use of location tracking. The full system, which is expected to be released mid-May, will rely instead on Bluetooth to safeguard user privacy. 

Meanwhile, the UK’s National Health System, started testing an app that uses a similar approach. 

The solution leverages (the ironically named) Bluetooth Low Energy handshakes to tell whether a person might have been in contact or not with an infected individual.

News from the frontlines

One more week, the tech world keeps up the fight against the pandemic. This week…

Cybercrime has spiked amidst global chaos and the rise of remote work. Regrettably, healthcare institutions are among the hardest hit. 

A group of security companies and professionals calling themselves the Cyber Alliance to Defend our Healthcare have struck deals to protect a series of hospitals and national health organisations across Europe. The U.S. will be their next area of focus.

Meanwhile, Ciaran Martin, chief of the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre, has pledged to redouble the body’s efforts to protect the country’s hospitals and health system.

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Growing your career: permanent & freelance IT Consultants

6 Simple Steps to Improve Online Visibility as an IT Professional

6 Simple Steps to Improve your Online Visibility as an IT Professional
Just as with face-to-face interactions, first impressions are crucial in the online job-hunting world. Here are the key steps to improve online visibility; that every technology professional should take to project a solid online image.

Just as with face-to-face interactions, first impressions are crucial in the online job-hunting world. Here are the key steps to improve online visibility; that every technology professional should take to project a solid online image.   

6 steps to improve online visibility

Google yourself 

Among steps to improve online visibility, this one might seem rather obvious… But you would be surprised of how many applicants forget this vital step. Remember that Fotolog or Myspace profile you made in middle school? Well, Google does. Chances are your adolescent self does not quite reflect the person you have grown to be. Or perhaps you would simply prefer keeping your personal life to yourself.  

Conduct an in-depth search to unearth all the information a stranger would find should they looked you up online. Then review all that info and ask yourself whether or not you should delete certain things or update your account’s privacy settings.  

Polish your LinkedIn profile 

LinkedIn has become an absolute necessity for any professional looking for a job or wanting to stay active in the talent market. Your LinkedIn page is like your business passport, if you will. Start by polishing your profile.  

Make sure your photograph is updated, professional and in HD. Follow the platform’s simple guide to complete your profile – add a good intro and about section describing your background and aspirations. Include all relevant skills in the dedicated section. Don’t just add job titles and companies in the timeline detailing your work experience. Provide a brief description of what you did while working for that company or what the project was about.  

Be active where it matters 

Would you trust a social media expert that wasn’t active on any social media platform? Probably not. Even if you secretly are an expert on something, it really pays off if you show it. At least you should be visible in the circles that matter the most to you and your area of expertise. 

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Create a robust profile on all relevant job boards and professional networks – from generalist sites like Indeed, to more specialised ones like GitHub or AngelList. Get involved in discussion groups and forums. Write an article or post with tips or insights you’d like to share. Here are a few examples of content you could be writing yourself:   

If you want to go the extra mile, sign up to the portals of companies exclusively dedicated to IT and tech recruiting. That will put you in the radar of the top recruiters for your specialty. You can sign up to ours here. 

Consistency across platforms 

Once that’s covered, make sure that you are presenting a cohesive profile across all platforms and services. Is the image you are projecting on LinkedIn consistent with your Twitter profile? Are your past job titles the same on the different job boards? Do the start and end dates of previous projects match?  

Maintaining consistency is important. It shows that you take yourself seriously and conveys a unified and robust message regarding who you are and what you aspire to. 

Know your keywords 

You know how search engines work. Check that you are including in your online profiles all the relevant keywords to secure a top spot on the search results page. Pay special attention to synonyms, and make sure to include the most common descriptive variants of an activity or skill.   

Look at your peers 

Something that can help you in your keyword search is looking at the profiles of other people. Look for experts in the field you are applying to, see what keywords they are using. Pay special attention to how they structure their personal and professional details, learn as much as you can. The more senior or trusted this subject matter expert is, the better.  

Need tips on how to find a job in IT? Check out our IT job hunting guide.

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IT Decision-makers Talent strategy

Industry Snapshot: Microsoft’s Momentum

Industry Snapshot: Microsoft’s Momentum
Microsoft’s Momentum: we look at the most recent developments and headlines involving the U.S. company. Things change quickly, especially in IT.

Microsoft’s Momentum. It was not that long ago that Microsoft seemed on track to take a more secondary role in the future of enterprise technology. Software sales had been sluggish for some time, and the company seemed unable to keep up with the pace of innovation of its competitors. Well, things change quickly, especially in IT. 

To the surprise of some, Microsoft has managed to bounce back in just a few years. It has delivered its finest OS to date, Windows 10, created a new line of successful hardware products like the Surface, and become one of the top contenders in the cloud wars.  

We look at the most recent developments and headlines involving the U.S. company. 

Microsoft’s Momentum

Global lockdown and cloud momentum 

We have recently discussed how the surge in remote work caused by COVID-19 has helped the cloud industry. Microsoft is, of course, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the current situation. Finding itself incredibly well-positioned with cloud collaboration tools ranging from Azure to Microsoft Teams.  

The Redmond, Virginia company just posted its Q3 2020 earnings, delivering 59% growth for Azure sales and taking its share of the global cloud market up to a 17%. The second place after Amazon. This steady expansion is forcing Microsoft to grow their overall cloud infrastructure.  

The company announced this week it will be investing billions of dollars in new data centers in Poland and New Zealand. It also presented an upcoming — and significant – update to the integration of VMware cloud solutions into Azure.  

Microsoft is betting big not only on cloud infrastructure and third-party support. But also on cloud security – a major concern for the modern digital enterprise. The company revealed this week a new hacking challenge for Azure Sphere. Promising a total of $200K in bounty for those who can break into the system.   

Software consolidation 

Although it’s been almost a year since Microsoft released its last big update for Windows 10. The company announced no major upgrades or changes for the upcoming May 2020 update. Furthermore, and in response to the global pandemic, as of May 1st, the company will limit the scope of its updates to security fixes. For how long? We don’t know exactly. Altogether, this makes analysts and industry experts think that Windows 10 has reached a maturity state. And that it will not change much more. 

Ironically, this consolidation comes at the same time that Microsoft is shifting its strategy for Windows 10X. What was going to be the dual-screen variant of the OS is now being redirected towards a more simplified, one-screen version. The move signals Microsoft’s intention to compete more head-on with Google’s Chromebook. Which holds a big share of the business and education market. 

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