THE MOVE

For the first time, Microsoft cloud services are now being delivered from data centres in the Middle East, with the general availability of two new cloud regions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Today, there are many options and ways to deploy Azure for quick and easy Web site and applications. They join the recently unveiled cloud regions in Johannesburg and Cape Town, bolstering Microsoft’s investment in digital transformation and economic growth across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Azure and Office 365 are available from the new data centers in the Middle East, forming part of a growing portfolio of integrated cloud infrastructure, platform, data, application, and collaboration services. Everyone is anticipating that Dynamics 365 and Power Platform will be available from the cloud regions in UAE by the end of 2019, not only that, these platforms will offer you all next-generation of intelligent business applications and tools.

STUDIES

A recent Microsoft study found that 70 percent of organizations in the Middle East are planning to move their IT infrastructure to the cloud in the coming year. At the same time, the use of the cloud among medium and large organizations in Africa has more than doubled from less than 50 percent in 2013, to near pervasive use by last year.

In an environment where organizations are increasingly wary of cyber-attacks, the security and reliability of cloud services have become a catalyst for continued cloud adoption, as organizations can transition to the cloud while maintaining security and meeting growing compliance needs. Data residency in the UAE will help enable government organizations and enterprises to comply with in-country regulations.

Microsoft is the first cloud service provider in the UAE to achieve the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) certification for its cloud services, meaning the Dubai government and semi-government entities are able to use the new data center regions.

THE IMPACT

The growth of Microsoft’s cloud footprint will play a strong role in job creation and economic growth across the region. A recent study by the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that the cloud and Microsoft ecosystem is set to create more than half a million jobs in the Middle East by 2022.

Organizations in the UAE that have already signed up for Azure include the Emirates Group, Emaar Properties, Majid Al Futtaim, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, Landmark Group, Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), Miral, Daman Insurance, RAK Ceramics, Imdaad, Gulf Air, Viva, Kuwait Finance House, Dubai World Trade Center, and Dubai Airports

Microsoft’s growing cloud network will also bring increased opportunities for partner growth and deploy it into multiple platforms. A past IDC study found that the Microsoft partner ecosystem earns more than US$9 for every US$1 of Microsoft revenue, driving a positive impact in the broader economy.

With the launch of its South African cloud regions earlier this year, Microsoft became the first global provider to deliver cloud services from data centers in Africa. In May, Microsoft announced it was bringing its first Global Development Centres to the region with sites in Kenya and Nigeria, helping drive local innovation for global impact.

THE FUTURE

Microsoft, whose cloud infrastructures serve more than a billion customers globally, expects the number of cloud sites to grow up to 25 percent. The regional expansion more than doubled in the last three years and the company has announced 50 areas worldwide.

There is an uptick in e-commerce and economic diversification agendas that look to decrease reliance on oil and build knowledge-based economies. This is as set out in the UAE’s Vision 2021 plan and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

ABOUT ZIWO

Ziwo is a Cloud-Based Contact Center Software that can be deployed on Microsoft Azure seamlessly. You can integrate Ziwo with Microsoft Dynamics to take your business to the next level to improve call response, streamline call flow and ultimately sales team performance with seamless integration of key features such as Click to Call, Pop up & Wrap up.

You can deploy your apps to App Service in your cloud of choice—Azure, or Azure national clouds. Not only that, even on-premises with Azure Stack! For more info click here.

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