Thank you to Rajrishi Makur, INFORMS Member, for contributing this post.

INFORMS was very pleased when Microsoft decided to conduct a workshop on game and applications development at the UIC Campus this semester. Microsoft employees Martin Schray, Clark Sell and Scott Fuller attended the workshop to share their expertise. The workshop started with an introduction about the windows app store and the features available as well as a brief demonstration on Windows 8. The workshop was open to all graduate students and MIS undergraduate students.

Martin and Scott showed various tools via which game or application development can be made very easy and can be uploaded on the Windows app store and can monetize the app. The workshop was directed to teach the students to develop games or apps which can be later viewed or purchased in the Windows app store. They also helped everyone build at least one application and explain the small nuances of the tool and how to go about developing a specific app.

This was a landmark event for INFORMS as this was the first time Microsoft visited UIC. INFORMS looks forward to continuing the relationship and developing opportunities for students to engage with Microsoft in the future.