Are Microsoft’s New Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality Applications Redefining Business?

From its inception, Microsoft has been defining and redefining business. According to History, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in April of 1975. The company introduced the Windows operating system in 1985. In 1995, it released its web-browser, Internet Explorer. Prior to the Microsoft Ignite 2018 conference for IT developers and professionals, the company announced the expansion of its Dynamics 365 portfolio.

According to Microsoft, the original Dynamics 365 is a “collection of intelligent business applications.” It included a line of customer relationship management (CRM) applications, which were later referred to as a customer engagement plan. It also has an enterprise resource planning (ERP) capability, which is basically a finance and business line.

Dynamics 365 is available in two editions. One is designed for small to medium-sized offices and businesses. The other is more appropriate for medium to large-sized law practices.

What Are the New Additions to Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 already offered assistance with accounting and financial management, customer service, field service, operations, and sales, etc. These applications work together seamlessly. Now, however, they can be combined with the following artificial intelligence and mixed reality additions.

• Dynamics 365 AI for Customer Service
• Dynamics 365 AI for Market Insights
• Dynamics 365 AI for Sales
• Dynamics 365 Layout
• Dynamics 365 Remote Assist

The Dynamics 365 Layout and Dynamics 365 Remote Assist are both mixed reality applications. They are not only new, but they are also the first of their kind. The company refers to them as “a whole new kind of business application.”

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is essentially machines that have to use intelligence, such as when computing or analyzing, to perform tasks a human would normally carry out. They also collect data in order to adapt and learn how to do things better. Based on algorithms, statistics, and trends, AI is used to solve problems faster and more accurately than the average person would.

Common, contemporary examples of AI include the following abilities:

• Alexa by Amazon
• Facial recognition on smartphones
• John Paul—the luxury concierge company
• Netflix’s predictive user-preferences feature
• Pandora’s ability to pick user preferences based on 400 musical characteristics
• Siri by Apple
• Tesla’s self-driving feature

This is merely a handful of the many ways that people use AI on a daily basis. Oftentimes, they are completely unaware.

How Are the New Additions to Dynamics 365 Using AI?

Dynamics 365 AI for Customer Service provides firms with Virtual Agents to do some of the typical day-to-day interactions with clients. It also helps collect automated insights from clients to improve future services.

Dynamics 365 AI for Market Insights uses the actionable web and social insights to improve relationships with clients. It detects trends in marketing and social media to assist legal SEO teams to engage in meaningful actions and respond to current dynamics.

Dynamics 365 AI for Sales is used to improve an office’s bottom line by helping associates focus on high-priority endeavors. It provides detailed analysis and answers to frequently asked questions regarding outreach and income.

What Is Meant by Mixed Reality?

Considered the evolution in computer, environment, and human interaction, mixed reality blends the digital world with the physical one. With advances in computer vision, display technology, graphical processing power, and input systems, both holographic and immersive devices are possible.

Holographic devices are those with the ability to virtually place digital content into the real world like it were actually there. Immersive devices, however, are characterized by the ability to create a sense of “reality.” They replace the physical world with a completely digital experience.

How Are the New Additions to Dynamics 365 Using MR?

The two additions to Dynamics 365 that use mixed reality are the Layout and Remote Assist applications. Both are made possible with the use of Microsoft’s HoloLens. This wearable device allows people to interact with content by using gestures, vocal commands, and even their gaze. It provides the immersive experience required for Layout and Remote Assist.

The Dynamics 365 Layout allows users to visualize or even walk through physical space layouts in real-world scale. Potentially, this would be beneficial during a courtroom situation to provide jurors with an accurate depiction of a crime scene for example. It could also be used to assist clients with investment opportunities, etc.

Dynamics 365 Remote Assist is an immersive tool that helps first-line workers trouble-shoot problems in a “hands-free” environment. First-line employees are the ones to engage with clients, such as receptionists and legal support staff, etc. The Remote Assist application allows them to address situations and improve efficiency.

In Conclusion

In a virtual news briefing, Microsoft corporate Vice President Alysa Taylor stated, “We continue to expand our category with AI and mixed reality. We’re taking another step forward on our journey to help empower every organization on the planet to achieve more through the acceleration of business applications.” That they have.