Business leaders and IT professionals from across the UK attended a conference in a country house In Warwickshire to hear Microsoft reveal new developments that will determine how businesses are run in the future.

James Akrigg, Microsoft’s Head of Technology for Partners, described the company’s aim to “reinvent” productivity and business processes through a more personal experience using an “intelligent” cloud powered by predictive analytics and technology.

He told delegates: “Younger generations coming into business expect to have access the best tools and smarter ways of working. It’s up to businesses now to embrace this technology.”
The event at historic Coombe Abbey also featured award-winning entrepreneur Hilary Devey CBE, founder, Chief Executive and Chairman of the Pall-Ex Group. The former Dragon of Dragon’s Den fame spoke passionately about the role of women in business and talked of the effects the refugee crisis was having on the logistics industry.

Stressing that businesses needed to be decisive to be a success, she also talked about how IT was “driving business” and that embracing the latest technology had become one of her businesses’ biggest areas of expenditure. But she admitted, “I get bored talking about IT. I just want to know if you can do it, I really don’t care how!”

The event was hosted by K3 Business Solutions (K3BS), Microsoft Dynamics ERP Gold Partner. K3BS specialises in delivering Microsoft Dynamics NAV and AX software implementations for the distribution and manufacturing industries.

Representatives from more than 80 companies, including customers and suppliers, attended the conference, exhibition and partner presentations.

Included in a series of presentations throughout the day, topics included Office 2016 and Office 365, Windows 10 and the latest on Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, AX 7 and NAV 2016.

Gary Vincent, Managing Director of K3BS, said: ““We’ve heard some really strong messages coming out of the presentations. We’re delighted our customers have had the opportunity to hear these first-hand from the likes of Microsoft and Hilary Devey. The future is exciting with truly transformational technologies upon us."