In yet another blow to Amazon, Microsoft has this week unveiled Dynamics 365 Commerce, a resource for online merchants to manage their stores, which integrates with complementary Microsoft software to allow business owners access to functions such as communicating with customers following a purchase or creating visual analyses of sales. Microsoft is increasingly gaining market share from AWS with retailers like Walmart, Kroger and Walgreens, and this recent launch represents a new expansion to compete with Amazon in the SMB e-commerce space.
Continue reading below for more on Microsoft, Google and DropBox.
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In the News…
Microsoft Launches E-Commerce Solution Dynamics 365
Microsoft announced a new resource for digital retailers. Dynamics 365 Commerce is a new extension of Dynamics 365 for Retail which enables online retailers to create product pages providing detailed product information and the ability for consumers to leave comments and reviews, similar to the way Amazon organizes product web pages. The technology also integrates with other Microsoft software so retailers can access sales performance data and further communicate with shoppers by following up after sales. As Amazon has become a fierce competitor to off and online retailers, major companies such as Walmart, Kroger and Walgreens are reluctant to manage their cloud servers though Amazon Web Services, making Microsoft’s cloud computing service, Azure, the preferred provider. The technology company is rolling out Dynamics 365 to earn business from those refusing work with Amazon in the wake of accusations involving anti-trust activity. Microsoft joins the e-commerce tech race alongside major providers such as Shopify and Adobe which acquired Magneto last year.
Google Refuses to Pay French Publishers Copyright Fees
After an EU imposed Copyright Directive took effect last year, Google is choosing to significantly reduce the amount of content displayed in search engine results in order to avoid paying fees to French publishers. The initiative aiming to “harmonize copyright law across Europe” may do damage traffic seen by French internet content publishers as Google will only provide a link and a few words in search engine results pages. By circumventing the law, Google claims they are upholding the trust and credibility with users by not paying publishers for getting clicks.
Similar instances have occurred in the past in countries such as Germany and Spain which resulted in publishers asking Google to restore their content snippets. Similar actions are expected to occur once the directive is active in France. Google will give content creators the ability to opt-in, allowing Google to publish their content. The waiver of sorts will give Google the ability to publish full content in SERPs without being liable for copyright fees.
Dropbox Rolls Out New App
Dropbox has released a stand-alone app interface for consumers on Wednesday. The all-inclusive tool will integrate a number of the most commonly used software like Slack, G Suite, Zoom calls and more. Dropbox released a stand-alone app interface for consumers on Wednesday. The all-inclusive tool will integrate a number of the most commonly used software like Slack, G Suite, Zoom calls and more. The new app will introduce a hub built around shared files. Notable changes include text descriptions and to-do lists to better manage shared tasks. The “For You” tab will be present in users’ Windows system tray or MacOS menu bar and will display files users may need to reference mid-meeting by taking information from their calendar information along with recent activity from team members. Many other features will be available in the app as Dropbox makes advancements beyond cloud storage services in hopes to add more complexity to the platform allowing users to manage work easier as stated by CEO Drew Houston.