Unlocking Innovation with Microsoft AI: Lessons from Real-World Transformation
Ready to move beyond Microsoft AI theory to real-world results? Join us for an intimate fireside chat where industry veterans share the unvarnished truth about driving measurable business impact with Microsoft's AI ecosystem.
This isn't your typical tech presentation—it's a candid conversation between practitioners who've been in the trenches. Sachin Agrawal (CTO & Board Member, Shiftboard) and Lakshmi Chandra (Senior Solutions Engineer, Celestial Systems) will pull back the curtain on their collaborative journey transforming Shiftboard's data infrastructure using Microsoft Fabric, revealing both the victories and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
Whether you're evaluating Microsoft AI for your organization, struggling with implementation challenges, or looking to optimize existing deployments, this session delivers the insider perspective you need to make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.
📷 Meet Our Expert Speakers
Sachin Agrawal | CTO and Board Member, Shiftboard (A UKG Company)
An accomplished technology executive with over two decades of experience driving innovation in workforce management and high-compliance industries. As CTO at Shiftboard, Sachin has transformed employee scheduling and operations for Fortune 500 companies, delivering mission-critical solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and engagement at enterprise scale.
Former CEO of EDP Software (SchedulePro) and Microsoft Program Manager, Sachin is a named inventor on a US digital rights management patent and brings battle-tested insights from leading digital transformation projects across multiple industries. Graduate of University of Waterloo's prestigious Systems Design Engineering program.
Lakshmi "Lucky" Chandra | Senior Solutions Engineer, Celestial Systems
A dynamic technology leader specializing in AI implementations, data engineering, and financial services automation. Lucky architects end-to-end solutions using Microsoft's advanced platform capabilities and recently led the successful Shiftboard data migration and workflow automation project using Microsoft Fabric. His expertise bridges the gap between Microsoft AI potential and production-ready enterprise solutions.
As a Dataiku partner and Microsoft Azure solutions provider, Celestial Systems enables enterprises to modernize their data infrastructure and accelerate AI/ML deployments with cutting-edge Microsoft AI solutions that deliver measurable business value.
Agenda
🕐 2:00 – 2:15 PM | Welcome & Introductions
Meet the Celestial Systems team and connect with fellow technology leaders and Microsoft AI practitioners.
🕐 2:15 – 2:45 PM | Fireside Chat: The Shiftboard Story 🎤 Speakers: Sachin Agrawal & Lakshmi Chandra
An inside look at the real-world challenges, decisions, and breakthrough moments during Shiftboard's Microsoft Fabric-powered data transformation project.
🕐 2:45 – 3:15 PM | Microsoft AI Deep Dive: What Actually Works
✅ Microsoft Fabric, Copilot, and Azure OpenAI in production environments
✅ Integration strategies that scale vs. those that don't
✅ ROI metrics that matter and how to measure them
🕞 3:15 – 3:45 PM | Lessons Learned: The Good, Bad, and Unexpected
Honest insights about implementation challenges, budget considerations, team readiness, and the pitfalls most organizations encounter (and how to avoid them).
🕞 3:45 – 4:15 PM | Interactive Q&A: Your Toughest Microsoft AI Questions
Bring your real-world challenges. Our speakers will provide candid advice based on their hands-on experience with enterprise Microsoft AI deployments.
🕞 4:15 – 4:30 PM | Networking & Continued Conversations
Connect with industry professionals and continue the discussion over refreshments.
💡 This is your chance to learn from practitioners who've successfully navigated the Microsoft AI landscape—complete with real budgets, real timelines, and real business outcomes.
🎯 Who Should Attend: Tech leaders, solution architects, IT managers, data engineers, and anyone evaluating or implementing Microsoft AI technologies for enterprise digital transformation.
🎟 Reserve Your Spot Now! RSVP early to secure your place at this exclusive fireside chat. Limited seating available for an intimate, interactive experience.