Whether utilizing Azure to ease the devastation caused by floods or collaborating across international borders to make music with Windows Live, people are doing amazing things with Microsoft technology.

Launched in February 2011, Microsoft Next is a competition for our global employees to submit 3-minute videos showing how Microsoft people and technology are helping individuals and communities around the world.

Today, we have the honor of announcing the Top 30 winners of Microsoft Next submissions. See the amazing videos and an introduction from Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International, here.

As for the selection process, Courtois says, “We selected thirty individual entries representing the broad global reach of Microsoft, and judging was based on how well the applicant used his or her film to embody vision and the Microsoft brand; demonstrate innovative thinking; demonstrate a customer/partner focus, and show creative storytelling.”

Microsoft is brimming with innovation and Microsoft Next is just one way to showcase the impact people throughout the company are having on customers and partners every day.