Digital transformation is entering a new phase across Europe, with businesses moving beyond isolated cloud migrations and standalone artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives towards integrated modernisation strategies.

Rather than treating cloud infrastructure, data, AI and business applications as separate projects, organisations are increasingly adopting unified approaches designed to modernise operations while supporting long-term growth. The shift is driving greater demand for consulting partners capable of delivering end-to-end digital transformation rather than one-off technology projects.

As Portugal Startups reports, businesses are placing greater emphasis on partners that can combine Microsoft’s expanding technology portfolio into a single transformation strategy.

AI driving the next phase of transformation

The trend reflects wider changes across the business landscape. According to McKinsey’s latest State of AI report, 78 percent of organisations now use AI in at least one business function, highlighting how digital transformation is increasingly centred on AI-enabled business capabilities rather than technology upgrades alone.

As companies move from experimenting with AI to adopting it across their organisations, many are seeking consulting firms with expertise across Microsoft’s cloud, data and AI ecosystem to accelerate implementation while reducing operational risk.

At the same time, organisations face growing pressure to modernise legacy systems, strengthen data governance and integrate new AI capabilities without disrupting day-to-day operations. These initiatives often require expertise across Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Copilot and enterprise security.

Demand for end-to-end consulting

As Microsoft’s technology ecosystem continues to expand, businesses are increasingly favouring consulting firms that can manage digital transformation as a single, integrated programme.

Rather than overseeing separate cloud migration, AI and business application projects, organisations are looking for partners capable of delivering a unified roadmap from strategy through to implementation.

The report suggests that companies evaluating Microsoft consulting partners should consider not only technical certifications but also enterprise delivery experience, industry expertise and the ability to manage complex transformation projects.

Sonata Software recognised

Among the companies highlighted by Portugal Startups is Sonata Software, which has worked with Microsoft for more than 25 years and provides services spanning business applications, cloud infrastructure, data, engineering and enterprise modernisation.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Sonata Software works with enterprises, software vendors and system integrators across Microsoft’s ecosystem. The company is recognised as a Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle member and a Microsoft Frontier Partner, reflecting its expertise in deploying Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies at enterprise scale.

Its services include Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Copilot and enterprise data platforms, helping organisations modernise legacy environments while improving productivity and operational efficiency.

In its latest ranking, Portugal Startups named Sonata Software its top Microsoft consulting partner in Europe, citing the company’s Microsoft expertise, enterprise delivery capabilities and long-standing collaboration with Microsoft.

A strategic business decision

As investment in AI, cloud computing and enterprise modernisation continues to grow across Europe, choosing the right Microsoft consulting partner is becoming an increasingly strategic business decision.

The analysis suggests that companies with deep platform expertise, long-term Microsoft collaboration and enterprise delivery experience are well positioned to help organisations maximise the value of Microsoft’s rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.