Microsoft have made two acquisitions recently, both of which show where their focus lies when looking ahead.
Clear Software
Acquired for an undisclosed amount, Clear Software focus on business process solutions that integrate into Oracle and SAP systems. Microsoft have acquired them because their:
“API access and system knowledge will strengthen Microsoft Power Platform’s integration with outside systems and accelerate how customers leverage data and processes that reside beyond Microsoft first-party services”
https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/powerplatform/2021/10/22/microsoft-acquires-clear-software-to-enhance-connectivity-to-systems-of-record/
Microsoft state this will make it easier for users to create Power Apps and Power Automate flows that connect into Oracle & SAP. This will make Power Platform even more attractive to citizen developers across the world and also increase the 3rd-party license non-compliance risks that organisations may face.
Learn more about Clear Software here
Ally.io
Focused on Objectives and Key Results (OKR), Ally.io has been acquired by Microsoft to:
“revolutionize how organizations use technology to bring deeper connection to work, purpose and results in the hybrid world”
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2021/10/07/microsoft-acquires-ally-io-to-improve-employee-experience-by-aligning-peoples-work-with-team-goals-and-company-mission/
and it will be used to power a new module within Microsoft Viva alongside Connection, Insights, Learning, and Topics. The new functionality will also be integrated through Office, Power BI, and the wider set of Microsoft 365 apps.
This is further proof that Microsoft see the Employee Experience (EXP) sector as a big new direction for them and that Viva will likely grow to be a key part of the Microsoft stack.
Cloudy with a chance of Licensing 