Microsoft wants to push the development of cloud computing in Europe and will more than double investment to USD 3 billion. CEO Satya Nadella and president Brad Smith have unveiled a plan which starts with the intention to deliver Microsoft Cloud services from datacentres in France from next year. Cloud services include Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Dynamics 365.
The executives also unveiled 78 public policy recommendations in “A Cloud for Global Good”, with topic running from next-generational skills, enhancing security and privacy in the digital age, to environmental sustainability, keeping communities safe, and securing a bright future for all children. The book's specific proposals tackle challenges like data flow disruptions that can interrupt critical services, protecting people from online exploitation and fraud, and ensuring those with disabilities can access e-government services.
Embarding on a four day visit to Europe, Nadella and Smith highlighted the importance of ensuring that the cloud is a cloud for global good, and acknowledged the need for tech companies, the community and governments to work together to achieve this.
The company already provides cloud services from data centres in the UK -Microsoft Azure and Office 365- and Germany -Microsoft Azure, with Office 365 planned for early 2017. In Germany, access to customer data is controlled by a data trustee, T-Systems International, part of Deutsche Telekom. The collective investments, including data centre hubs in the Netherlands and Ireland, and locations in Austria and Finland, will enable Microsoft to meet anticipated customer demand in Europe. Customers for Microsoft Cloud include the UK Ministry of Defence, the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Ireland's Health Service Executive and ZF from Germany.
The tour will include stops in Dublin, Paris, Berlin and London, with the executives scheduled to meet with European customers, partners, developers and government leaders. Events include keynote presentations in each market and meetings with youth, including young female coders in Paris and refugee children from a Berlin primary school who are using Microsoft software to learn German, and a discussion with teachers in Dublin.
