Microsoft has announced the building of a data center hub in Greece.
The data center hub is a part of the “GR for GRowth” initiative by Microsoft to expand its cloud footprint in Southeast Europe. This investment will support businesses in Greece and will create new growth opportunities.
Microsoft Cloud: What is it?
Microsoft has a global cloud region that now totals 63 regions announced. These regions have access to a full set of cloud services by Microsoft. These services comprise of Microsoft Azure, which is available in over 140 countries. It offers computing, networking, databases, analytics, AI, and IoT services and is ever-expanding.
The cloud services also include Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform. These all are intelligent business-based applications that provide an open platform. And it has evolved to capture new customer requirements and opportunities.
Microsoft currently has data centers in Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Spain. The setting up of data centers in Greece is also a part of Microsoft’s commitment to be carbon negative by 2030. At the same time, it aims to supply 100 percent renewable energy for all its data centers by 2025.
Impact on Greece economy
Microsoft President Brad Smith has said that in 28 years of operations in Greece, it is Microsoft’s biggest investment in the country. The economy of Greece has been downhill after the debt crisis, which has lasted over a decade. The coronavirus pandemic only made it worse by affecting tourism, which was a big income source.
This cloud infrastructure will give a boost to many businesses, small and large. Microsoft already has over 3,000 partners and customers in Greece, and this network is expected to grow substantially.
Microsoft’s Smith also committed to training and upskilling over 100,000 citizens of Greece. This will improve the digital economy of the country drastically.
I was excited to join Prime Minister @kmitsotakis today in Athens to announce that Microsoft will build datacenters in Greece — the largest investment we’ve made in the 28 years we’ve operated here. This reflects our optimism in Greece’s future and economic recovery. pic.twitter.com/mimRtCsTY5
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) October 5, 2020
The software giant is also inclined to help Greece’s companies comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). And it helps improve the businesses’ compliance and security.
Additionally, Microsoft’s AI for Cultural Heritage program collaborates with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Greece. This is to bring the Ancient City of Olympia to life. This project will present the monuments in 3D. And with this, people will be able to experience as they were nearly 3,000 years ago. The project is available in 2021.
Also, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said that the investment would involve a new infrastructure of 500 million euros and annual costs of 50 million euros in the coming years. Official data is not available yet.
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