Microsoft set to open data centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Dubai / Emirates Business

Microsoft revealed plans to deliver the intelligent, trusted Microsoft cloud from its first data centres located in the Middle East, empowering organisations, governments, and businesses to achieve more and recognising the unprecedented opportunity for digital transformation in the region.
The Microsoft Cloud, comprising Azure, Office 365 and Dynamics 365, will offer enterprise-grade reliability and performance, combined with data residency, from data centres located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with initial availability expected in 2019. Microsoft’s deep expertise in data protection, security and privacy, including the broadest set of compliance certifications in the industry, means customers in the region can accelerate their digital transformation knowing they have a trusted partner.
Each new data centre will adhere to Microsoft’s trusted cloud principles and becomes part of one of the largest cloud infrastructures in the world, already serving more than a billion customers and 20 million businesses.
“Microsoft has been present in the Middle East for more than two decades and is deeply invested in the region in many ways,” says Sayed Hashish, Regional General Manager, MicrosoftGulf. “Driven by strong customer demand for cloud computing, local data centres were the logical next step given the enormous opportunity that the cloud presents.”