Concerned with the increasing threat of cyber-attack, The Association for Consultancy & Engineering (ACE) is one of the first UK companies to adopt Microsoft’s newly announced Microsoft 365. ACE is piloting Microsoft 365 Business with Microsoft gold partner Cloud Direct, a UK cloud services provider (CSP).

During the past two months, ACE has worked with Cloud Direct providing feedback to Microsoft’s product development team. Designed specifically for small-medium businesses (SMBs) with up to 300 users, Microsoft 365 Business is as a cloud technology geared towards empowering employees, safeguarding the business and simplifying IT management. Always-on security guards against cyber-attacks such as Petya and WannaCry. It also helps SMBs manage the changing compliance requirements surrounding the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Sebastian Ailioaie, group digital manager at ACE, said: “We now all enjoy working from our preferred machines and devices – whether we’re in the office or not – without worrying about leaving company data vulnerable. It’s good to feel confident that we’re always working with the latest, up-to-date technology – especially with the alarming increase in ransomware. I feel like we’re leading the way in our industry now.”

Speaking this week at Inspire, Microsoft’s world partner conference in Washington, Will Rowley, Microsoft engagement specialist at Cloud Direct, said: “An alarming 72 per cent of all cyber-attacks occur in businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Two thirds of those businesses (60 per cent) are likely to be out of business within six months. We don’t want that for our customers. Microsoft 365 Business gives them back control over their devices and data.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella today announced at Inspire that Microsoft 365 would extend from private to public preview from 2^nd August 2017. Cloud Direct is one of only three UK partners who can provision a free or subsidised licence to customers prior to full public launch, expected to be announced end 2017/beginning 2018.

Find out more at next week’s webinar: ‘Be better, faster and safer with Microsoft 365 Business‘ on Thursday 20th July. 1.30 – 2.00pm GMT.

Microsoft 365 brings together Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security.

About Cloud Direct

Cloud Direct helps ambitious organisations adopt Microsoft cloud. Our clients know that the right technology can free them to grow – offering increased security, productivity and agility. But they also know caution. So our job is to make their cloud journey safe and affordable.

Since 2003, Cloud Direct has helped numerous organisations move their IT to the cloud. We are a direct gold Microsoft cloud services provider (CSP) partner. We hold ISO 27001:2013 (for security) and ISO 20000 (for service).  At 75% our Net Promoter Score is world-class, and we provide 24/7 support to ensure continual service delivery.

About ACE

ACE is a strong and influential business association. It currently supports approximately 450 member companies, giving them access to a wide range and depth of services including regular industry intelligence; debate and networking opportunities; legal, financial and insurance advice; and, most importantly, a representative voice. ACE’s powerful representation and lobbying of government, major clients, the media and other key stakeholders, enables it to promote the critical contribution that engineers and consultants make to UK’s social and economic infrastructure.

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