INFORMS Hosts Microsoft App Development Workshop

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.
They talked about the Microsoft app development competition called “Windows 8 App Madness Challenge,” where every app published will get $100 gift card. All the students in the workshop could potentially win the prize. If their app passes generate testing and is published, they have a chance to win the competition.

The workshop was concluded with food and drinks being served and with a short question session in which the Microsoft employees gave a brief account as to the work culture of Microsoft and what current technologies they are working on.

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.