The biggest Microsoft stories for the Australian channel in 2020

The importance of information technology and specific software applications in the past year can not be understated. 

As the world adapted to new working models amid COVID-19, technology was instrumental to the continuation of work, as well as staying connected. 

It's no surprise then that some of the most-read stories among our Microsoft coverage on CRN Australia for 2020 were to do with Microsoft Teams, as you'll see by scrolling through the biggest Microsoft stories we published last year. 

Use your keyboard arrow keys or the buttons on the edge of each image to scroll through the slideshow.

Microsoft unveils entry-level Surface Laptop Go, updated Surface Pro X

In October, Microsoft revealed it was expanding its Surface lineup with the introduction of a new laptop aimed at portability and affordability, the Surface Laptop Go. 

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Microsoft to revamp Sydney store as other stores to shutter

In June, Microsoft revealed it would be closing all 83 of its brick-and-mortar stores under a “strategic change” to its retail operations.

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Microsoft makes work-from-home a permanent option for some

In October, Microsoft said it was committing to make some amount of remote work an option going forward.

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Microsoft goes direct with WA govt with new Whole of Govt agreement

In September, Microsoft signed a new Whole of Government Agreement with the Western Australian state government, allowing WA government agencies to leverage Microsoft’s cloud services and help lay the digital foundations for new services.

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Microsoft unveils 5G/telco playbook with ‘Azure for operators’

In September, Microsoft laid out its playbook to partner with communications service providers by providing a carrier-grade platform for edge and cloud computing to help network operators realise the full potential of 5G technology.

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Microsoft quietly reveals new perpetual Office licence

In September, a brief line on a Microsoft Exchange Team blog hinted at the reveal of an upcoming perpetual release for Microsoft Office.

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Microsoft unveils Surface Duo Android tablet

In August, Microsoft debuted its ambitious entrance into the foldable device market with the Surface Duo.

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Microsoft founder Bill Gates donates $10 million to Australian COVID-19 fight

In May, CRN reported that Microsoft founder Bill Gates had donated $10 million to Australian efforts to fight COVID-19.

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Inspire 2020: 5 big updates in Microsoft 365, Teams and business apps

During Microsoft Inspire 2020 in July, the company made a number of announcements around Microsoft 365, the Teams collaboration app and Microsoft’s business applications segment, which includes Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform.

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Microsoft targets consulting services for higher-risk projects and new technologies

In July, Microsoft’s global channel chief said the vendor’s consulting services group was focused on projects that “would be high risk for a partner”, as the company geared up to make changes in the leadership of its consulting arm. 

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Aussie partners named finalists in Microsoft global partner awards

In July, multiple Australian channel partners were named as finalists in Microsoft’s Partner of the Year awards.

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Microsoft calling on partners to join gender equality initiative

In May, Microsoft Australia launched a gender equality initiative with organisation Male Champions of Change (MCC) together with its biggest partners.

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Satya Nadella’s 5 biggest statements at Microsoft Ignite 2020

In September, Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said the vendor’s latest launch of products would enable even greater acceleration of digital transformation while enhancing the company’s tech stack.

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Microsoft announces global layoffs as it enters new fiscal year

In July, Microsoft revealed it had trimmed its workforce across geographies and teams as it entered a new financial year.

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5 big new Microsoft Teams features and announcements

In July, Microsoft announced that Teams, which saw its user base explode during the shift to remote work, was getting an array of helpful new features.

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Microsoft says new Teams devices are incoming

In December, Microsoft previewed a set of devices designed for Teams calling, as well as financing options for those devices, set to roll out in the US and to more countries in 2021.

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Microsoft acknowledges screen issue on Surface Laptop 3

In May, Microsoft finalised an investigation of user claims that Surface Laptop 3 screens were cracking at random and resolved to offer free repairs to devices under warranty.

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Microsoft 365 wobbles after update

In September, Microsoft 365 users were hit by an outage that affected services around the world.

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Telstra launches Microsoft Teams telephony service internationally

In July, Telstra launched its Telstra Calling for Microsoft Teams service globally, with four countries getting the service within the year.

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Microsoft expands Teams video calls to 49 visible participants

In June, Microsoft revealed that Teams was set to expand its gallery view for video calls, bringing Teams video to 49 visible participants.

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