Shifting IT Priorities And Growing Channel Opportunities

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella opened Inspire, Microsoft's annual partner conference, with a keynote speech Monday in which he outlined his vision of the next evolution in IT, how it impacts Microsoft's product direction and the opportunities it offers the software giant's channel partners.

Nadella addressed some 17,000 partners at the Inspire conference, which is being held this week in Washington D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Here are five key takeaways from Nadella's nearly two-hour speech, which included several product demonstrations and videos from Microsoft customers and partners.