From the floor of Microsoft Inspire: Windows 7 EOL, licensing updates, and more

I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Microsoft Inspire might’ve grown even more crowded the second day, especially the traffic to the Hub.
Very noticeable uptick in traffic on the floor of The Hub during Day 2 of #MSInspire. Maybe double the people as Day 1. pic.twitter.com/x4h4cmLlzr
— Ed McNamara (@EdMackSHI) July 16, 2019
Amid all the hustle and bustle, we pulled a few SHI experts aside to hear what they found most impressive, and how new tech, updates, and changes might impact your business.
To start, Windows 7 will only be supported until January 14, 2020 and many companies aren’t prepared. SHI’s Director of Mobility Solutions, Kevin English gives a high-level overview of how this could impact your devices and operations.
Kevin English, Director of Mobility Solutions, talks about #Windows7 end of support deadline from the floor of The Hub at #MSInspire pic.twitter.com/jmK65yMS86
— SHI International (@SHI_Intl) July 16, 2019
Jim Kerr, Sr. Systems Engineer at SHI, spent time digesting and evaluating the news related to the latest Microsoft 365 suite and SKU updates. It was only one of the many updates to Microsoft licensing, which continues to increase in complexity.
Jim Kerr, Sr. Systems Engineer, talks about the convenience of @Microsoft365 from the floor of The Hub at #MSInspire @JimKerr_Fl pic.twitter.com/YB40G64bPz
— SHI International (@SHI_Intl) July 16, 2019
It’s day two of #MSInspire and a clear theme to me is complexity. There are so many options when it comes to Microsoft licenses. With MCA, traditional EAs, CSP etc…it’s no wonder our customers have so many questions. pic.twitter.com/DAXWUdJP1n
— Angela Cope (@angelacope) July 16, 2019
Microsoft identified artificial intelligence as a main innovative focus during its Corenote, and the company followed through on this claim with multiple sessions. The Women of AI session was one of SHI Microsoft Solutions Specialist Jenny Parisi’s favorites.
Microsoft Solutions Specialist Jenny Parisi liked what she saw at the Women of AI session she attended at #MSInspire @MicrosoftAI #WomenInTech pic.twitter.com/ejYDVdBT7x
— SHI International (@SHI_Intl) July 16, 2019
We also had a chance to catch up with some of our current and new partners and find out what’s in their pipeline. Nicole Elliot, Unified Communications Solutions Specialist at SHI, shares a new partner solution she’s interested in learning more about.
UC Solutions Specialist Nicole Elliot caught up with some partners at #MSInspire leading to her discovery of an interesting offering from @BitTitan @neekersx0 #GDPR pic.twitter.com/6nCZ8WWgTW
— SHI International (@SHI_Intl) July 16, 2019
That concludes our reporting from the floor of Microsoft Inspire, but in the coming months, we’ll dive deeper into these topics with information to guide you through any potential changes to your organization’s IT strategy. For now, to see what else you might have missed, head over to SHI’s Twitter handle where we live-tweeted the event.