Being a Microsoft Azure partner benefits customers looking to move into the cloud, with funding assistance and programs such as POC’s, workshops, migration initiatives, AI initiatives, or Greenfield projects. Depending on the type of customer and project, Synthesis translates its partnership into a competitive advantage for businesses, offering insights into Azure’s innovations for an unparalleled cloud experience. Bespoke strategies are designed to fit unique needs, driving digital transformation and operational growth, says Rui Felix, Azure Practice Lead at Synthesis.
Synthesis began its Microsoft Azure journey with cloud opportunities arising from customers. Some key success stories include Synthesis’s involvement in payment modernisation and the development of PayShap, the rapid payments platform for real-time payments. The architecture required high performance and latency. The solution leverages Microsoft Azure’s cloud infrastructure to ensure robust scalability and maintains sub-second transaction processing through its distributed architecture. Globally, Synthesis has digitalised and transformed the logistical system of one the largest logistics shipping companies in Singapore. The transition evolved from a manual process incorporating different partners, departments, and countries to an automated digital platform hosted on Microsoft Azure, explains Rui.
Microsoft Azure recently hosted the Ignite session, from November 18 to November 22, 2024, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, to share innovation on data and AI. The rise of AI agents and security was very topical. Microsoft is investing in data, AI, and some of the custodian products such as data fabric. Some of these automated tools can be used to streamline and centralise data. Orchestrated agents will be integrated with Microsoft products to enable automated day-to-day tasks, understand, and look for trends and patterns within the data. It’s like having your own personal assistant, says Rui.
Microsoft already has Copilot which enables users to use prompts to access information easily. Add in a prompt that says, “Give me a short write-up that explains what Microsoft Azure is” and within seconds, the tool generates text; “Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive cloud computing platform and service created by Microsoft. It offers a wide range of cloud services, including computing, analytics, storage, and networking. Users can choose and configure these services to develop, deploy, and manage applications through Microsoft’s global network of data centres. Azure supports various programming languages, tools, and frameworks, making it a versatile solution for building and scaling applications in the cloud.” To add to this, orchestration agents will further enable prompts that will review lengthy documents and only pull-out necessary information.
Security is a priority in discussion with Microsoft investing in tools to enable data safety. Guard rails can ensure that data is user-specific and not exposed to everyone. The sensitivity of the data needs to be considered to ensure that the right guardrails are put in place for AI agents, adding an additional layer of security advises Rui.
Everyone has an opinion of AI and what it means for future business. There are both positive and negative connotations around it. Rui believes that any malicious intent around AI will be addressed by regulations. The concept of the Industrial Revolution that came into effect resulted in the automation of machines that have replaced human involvement and streamlined processes. It was not a case of simply replacing the workforce but working in conjunction to equip the workforce with the skills to manage the machines. Replacing jobs with robots and developing skills amongst resources. Mundane tasks can be replaced by AI or robots and, eventually, there will be an equilibrium.
Think of the advancement of transportation and the concept of when cars came to be. Individuals were using horse carriages and there were jobs in farming horses and building carriages that were taken away. But at the same time, there were new jobs created with the need to build cars. There’s always this sort of equilibrium that forms a balance concludes Rui.
