Microsoft today announced it is expanding its partnership with GE, focusing on expanding the adoption of Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications and the Azure cloud. Through the partnership, GE will also standardize its Predix platform, which gives developers tools to develop and deploy IIoT applications, on Azure.
In terms of GE's own Predix, the platform will now integrate with Microsoft Azure capabilities, such as Azure IoT and Azure Data and Analytics. The combination, Microsoft says, will bring together "GE Digital's expertise in industrial data and applications with Microsoft's enterprise cloud, helping customers speed deployment of industrial applications and achieve tangible outcomes faster, ultimately fueling growth and business innovation." Additionally, GE says it will use Azure across other portions of its business to handle IT workloads and productivity tools.
Lastly, the two companies are teaming up to on a co-sell and go-to-market strategy with a lineup of IIoT solutions across verticals. Part of this strategy also involves exploring deeper integrations between Predix IIoT and Power BI, PowerApps, and "other third-party solutions."
The GE partnership is just one Microsoft announced today, kicking off its Inspire 2018 partner conference. The company will also be teaming up with Campbell Soup Co.{.nofollow} to migrate its IT platform to the Azure cloud. Microsoft is also joining with National Geographic on its AI for Earth initiative, opening up a $1 million grant program that will give financial support to "between five and 15 novel projects that use AI to advance conservation research."
