Manufacturing Unwrapped: Kathleen Mitford of Microsoft
Earlier in 2024 we interviewed Kathleen Mitford, Corporate Vice President of Global Industry Marketing at Microsoft for the August edition of Manufacturing Digital.
This was the first edition that I headed up as editor- and admittedly, as I headed to the interview I was nervous.
However the nerves were quickly replaced with interest as we started to talk. Kathleen was a fantastic speaker and engaging personality who offered a visionary perspective on the future of the manufacturing sector.
Her explanation of how Microsoft seeks to transform manufacturing through AI, cloud technology, and strategic partnerships was valuable to hear, especially as the company has recently accelerated its efforts in this area.
With extensive experience, including leading Azure Marketing and a long tenure at PTC, Kathleen has been pivotal in shaping Microsoft’s industrial strategies.
She presented the outcome of these strategies at Hannover Messe earlier this year, where Microsoft unveiled innovative solutions such as Fabric and Copilot templates for factory operations on Azure AI.
These technologies address a persistent challenge in manufacturing: integrating IT and OT data.
Fabric creates a unified context for diverse data sources, while Copilot templates provide frontline workers with instant, actionable insights to resolve operational issues.
This combination serves to transform how manufacturers leverage data to optimise operations and adopt digital transformation.
Kathleen also highlighted that Microsoft had created a traceability add-in for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management.
This tool enables greater visibility into product genealogy and supporting sustainability, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction across the supply chain.
These developments demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to addressing the complex needs of modern manufacturing with cutting-edge solutions.
Pioneering data-driven manufacturing solutions
The big focus of our interview was data.
Central to Microsoft’s approach is the concept of an adaptive cloud, which allows manufacturers to integrate IT and IoT data seamlessly.
Kathleen explained how this strategy supports manufacturers in achieving both individual outcomes, such as improving factory-floor processes, and broader objectives like visibility across the value chain.
By connecting engineering, supply chain, and maintenance functions, the adaptive cloud helps businesses identify and address inefficiencies more effectively.
Kathleen also spoke proudly of Microsoft's ecosystem of key partners, mentioning Hexagon, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens.
She recounted how at Hannover Messe, Hexagon joined Microsoft to announce solutions on Azure, while Siemens introduced TeamCenter X software on the platform.
These partnerships not only deepen technological capabilities but also align with Microsoft’s goal of fostering collaboration across the manufacturing value chain.
Why is this piece part of Manufacturing Unwrapped?
This interview has made manufacturing unwrapped for several key reasons.
Firstly, its because it was a stand-out interview.
Kathleen's optimistic insights about AI’s role in transforming manufacturing and attracting the next generation of talent especially stood out to us.
She drew on personal experiences, such as how Microsoft’s Reading Coach helped her son improve his literacy skills, to illustrate AI’s potential to close skill gaps and streamline training.
It was also interesting to hear her reflections on the bursting of the dot com bubble in the 90s, and how she moved into the manufacturing industry.
Secondly, as the biggest interview feature of my first magazine as editor it has some sentimental value.
We also feel Kathleen's insights continue to resonate strongly going into 2025, especially as Microsoft continues its trend of rapid industrial AI innovation and partnerships.
This is an interview every manufacturer should check out in full- you can do so here.
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