(NOTE: This story was originally posted to CRN.com July 10.)

As IT Priorities Shift, Channel Opportunities Grow

What does the IT road ahead look like for Microsoft and its channel partners? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed those issues Monday when he opened the software giant's annual partner conference, Inspire, with a keynote speech in which he outlined his vision of the next evolution in IT, how it impacts Microsoft's product direction and the opportunities it offers channel partners.

Nadella addressed some 17,000 partners at the Inspire conference, held this week in Washington 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.