Azure Availability Zones now generally available in Microsoft UAE datacenters

Azure Availability Zones now generally available in Microsoft UAE datacenters

Microsoft is announcing the general availability of Azure Availability Zones in its United Arab Emirates(UAE) datacenters in Dubai. The investment will enhance the competitiveness of UAE businesses through the vital provision of business continuity and disaster recovery solutions. This reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to the UAE government, its business community, and its population.

Azure Availability Zones will build on the capabilities and benefits offered through Microsoft’s enterprise-grade datacenters in Dubai which began operations in June 2019. Organizations already using the zones in the UAE include Emirates Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Microsoft Azure Availability ZonesUAE Dubai

With the advent of the always-on economy, uptime and continuous access to critical data, applications and workloads have become front-of-mind concerns for the region’s technology stakeholders,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE.

As businesses move forward amid increased industry upheavals and competition from market disrupters, competitiveness hinges on the ability to remain operational even as external issues destabilise markets and supply chains. Backups alone will not deliver such capabilities. Rapid recovery requires strategy-focused infrastructure and solutions to work effectively. That is what Azure Availability Zones delivers.”

Naim Yazbeck

Microsoft notes the launch of the zones shows its readiness to form the backbone of organizations’ futureproofing programs.

The new availability zones will allow us to enhance the way we use Microsoft Cloud, says Srinivasan Sampath, Acting Group CTO of First Abu Dhabi Bank. Offering us a greater level of data security, resilience and flexibility. Which in turn, will support our customer-centric ethos, and allow us to provide greater benefits for our clients.”

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ETIHAD to achieve net-zero sustainability goals with Microsoft tech

ETIHAD to achieve net-zero sustainability goals with Microsoft tech

net-zero ETIHAD Microsoft

Etihad Airways plans to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is looking to use Microsoft technology. The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates is announcing a new partnership with Microsoft to leverage its tools and technologies to advance its sustainability goals.

The companies will work together to use advanced analytics and AI to measure and benchmark Etihad’s environmental footprint. This will allow the business to implement and assess carbon efficiency savings across its business operations. The collaboration will focus on the implementation of technologies that will turn data into actionable insights. Unlocking scenarios and use cases that will help Etihad reduce its carbon footprint and meet the net-zero goal.

“Innovation and sustainability are at the core of our business. Our continued partnership with Microsoft will support us in meeting our sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions. Both in the air through operational efficiencies, and on the ground. Through improvements in our back-office processes and technology infrastructure,” said Tony Douglas, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group. 

“Etihad is aligned with the UAE’s mission to conserve and preserve our environment for generations to come and we have made significant progress over the last two years towards our ‘net-zero carbon emissions by 2050’ goal with our sustainability portfolio. We look forward to working closely with Microsoft to enhance these developments.”

Tony Douglas

Etihad and Microsoft have also committed to jointly identifying opportunities for collaboration. To achieve both organisations’ sustainability goals while building thought-leadership and further partnerships with organisations in the UAE and the region. This will further drive the national sustainability agenda and build a supportive technology ecosystem. That will allow organisations of all sizes to take carbon reduction measures based on data-driven insights.

“We are aligned with the UAE’s long-term sustainability goals and practices to accelerate growth responsibly. While fulfilling the nation’s ambitious objectives,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. 

“For more than a decade, Microsoft has been investing to reduce environmental impact while supporting the digital transformation of organisations around the world through cloud services. The commitments and investments we make are important steps in reducing our own environmental impact. But we recognize that the opportunity for positive change is greatest by empowering customers and partners to achieve their own sustainability goals. Therefore, this partnership with Etihad is incredibly exciting. By empowering more and more organizations with the right insights, we will be able to reach critical mass to reduce carbon emissions on a significant scale.”

Microsoft and Etihad Airways announced the first-ever in-house AI Academy in the Middle East earlier this year. The Etihad AI academy powered by Microsoft will look to revolutionise the way the airline serves its customers

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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.

Microsoft showcases AI, IoT tech supporting sustainable farming at 40th GITEX Technology Week

Microsoft showcases AI, IoT tech supporting sustainable farming at 40th GITEX Technology Week

sustainable farming at 40th GITEX Technology Week Microsoft Azure FarmBeats

Microsoft UAE is showcasing how it supports sustainable farming with AI and IoT at 40th GITEX Technology Week in Dubai.

Using AI, Edge and IoT, Microsoft’s agricultural solution FarmBeats built on Azure enables data-driven farming to maximize agricultural output.

This data-driven farming entails using data visualizations, analytics and machine learning. The results; it creates automated recommendations on water usage and soil quality. That the company notes help during challenging conditions.

This is part of Microsoft’s AI for good global initiative to support sustainable farming practices and contribute to food security.

Located at H6-D20, Hall 6, a Microsoft Hub has been set up to offer attendees an opportunity to discover and experience Microsoft technology and innovations.

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sustainable farming at 40th GITEX Technology Week Microsoft Azure FarmBeats
Sayed Hashish, GM Microsoft UAE showing Microsoft technology innovations at the Microsoft Hub at GITEX Technology Week 2020.

Microsoft notes that governments are now reimagining a more positive world. As such the company is investing alongside them into critical technological infrastructure to solve pressing challenges.

Speaking to the media, Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE notes there will be a need to feed nine to ten billion people by 2050. “This will require a significant increase in food production. However, there is a limited amount of additional arable land, and water levels have also been receding. Cloud technology may prove crucial to address this agricultural challenge,” he continues.

LinkedIn Open for Business, launches in Dubai, targeting small businesses and freelancers globally

LinkedIn Open for Business, launches in Dubai, targeting small businesses and freelancers globally

LinkedIn launches new global product feature in Dubai.

LinkedIn Open for Business, is the company’s latest feature. Small businesses and individual freelancers can now list their professional services on their LinkedIn profile. This will make them discoverable through the LinkedIn search tab.

Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn EMEA Emerging Market says Open for Business, “will help realize our vision to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce“. Marking a milestone for the region he notes this is the first time LinkedIn has launched a product from the MENA region. The global launch of the new feature took place in Dubai, hosted by the MENA LinkedIn office.

A marketplace that helps freelancers and business owners find new clients on LinkedIn.

What is LinkedIn Open for Business?

According to LinkedIn it is a marketplace that helps freelancers and business owners find new clients. It allows small business owners and professionals to network and connect with members looking for the services they offer. Helping service providers reach potential clients. The feature also lets you ask for a recommendation for a career coach or request tax help from an accountant.

Here is how to enable and manage the new Feature. To get started you will need to review and complete the checklist.

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Microsoft Internship Opportunity Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Microsoft Internship Opportunity Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Want to get some real work experience from a top tech giant? Working on innovations that will impact others. Do you have a passion for technology and an analytical thinker? And oh do you consider yourself curious?

Then check out the Microsoft Internship Opportunity Dubai for full qualifications and apply to be an intern at Microsoft.

Our Intern Program offers you the opportunity to join Microsoft on a real job role in various job families. On top of your role, you’ll have the chance to join our dynamic community of international interns, enabling you to build a global network of contacts and to gain exposure to real Microsoft business activities and leaders in the world!

Qualifications:

  • Pursuing or within one year of graduation from undergraduate studies
  • Pursuing a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer majors or related fields
  • Well-developed communication, presentation as well as analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Negotiation, customer service, and interpersonal skills
  • Passion for People & Technology, Customer relations and Sales
  • Fluency in English Language 
  • Available to start on 1st of September 2019

Click to visit Microsoft Careers application page to apply for Microsoft Internship Opportunity Dubai, United Arab Emirates.