Microsoft is announcing the addition of Availability Zones to the South Africa North cloud region. Expanding the region to have three unique physically separated locations within the region. To bring higher availability and asynchronous replication of applications and data for disaster recovery protection.
Microsoft says the Availability Zones give users additional options for high availability for their most demanding applications and services. As well as confidence and protection from potential hardware and software failures. By providing three or more unique physical locations within an Azure region.
These zones located in Johannesburg will each have their own power, cooling and high-speed low latency connections. Let’s say you are deploying a web tier consisting of 3 virtual machines, you can place one in each zone. So that if zone A fails your customers will still be able to access the other virtual machines in the other availability zones in the same Azure region. This is really ideal where data residency laws and regulatory requirements are important.
South Africa North is the only Azure cloud region in the Middle East and Africa to get availability zones presence. Microsoft will bring availability zones to the UAE North region and establish a new datacenter region in Israel this year.
Microsoft launched two cloud regions in Africa, South Africa North and West located in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively. And two in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Interestingly, when you check the Azure global infrastructure map it appears Microsoft is hiding certain regions. Regions it classifies as reserved access regions and this includes South Africa West and Abu Dhabi. Although these regions are available to customers, they will require you to go through a request process in order to gain access. The process to request access is straightforward and you can initiate it directly within the Azure portal.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
TECNO plans to deploy Android 12 on the upcoming HiOS 8.5 update for the CAMON 17 and PHANTOM X. The company notes that with the public release of Android 12, the TECNO CAMON 17 and PHANTOM X will be amongst the first few phones to receive the update. The update will improve the software infrastructure, security and privacy, connectivity, and gaming experience of users. The customized HiOS8.5 will launch simultaneously on the devices with Android 12.
We are excited about Android 12’s update says Stephen Ha, General Manager of TECNO. Which bring a more convenient and personalized experience to consumers ranging from a new UI design to comprehensive security and privacy protection upgrades, he adds.
TECNO has always been committed to providing users in emerging markets with cutting-edge technologies synchronized with industry trends and continuously optimizing the experience of using our devices.
Stephen Ha
TECNO says it is redesigning HiOS 8.5 to feel more responsive and intuitive for users based on the Android 12. So users will be able to experience more unified themes across apps and even devices. For example, widgets will appear more rounded and accessible in Android 12, so that users can retrieve information with ease.
HiOS will also get the Za-Hooc security concept optimization which integrates software and hardware with regards to privacy protection. Other updates coming to HiOS8.5 include improvements to game performance, optimizations to the barrage and call rejections features.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
15 startups will participate in the first cohort of the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program. They will work to co-create technology solutions with partners such as Etihad Airways, Unilever, Flow, IKEA, KPMG and Akbank. The startups will spend 12-weeks of virtual and physical workshops and training in the United Arab Emirates. Thanks to Microsoft for Startups’ partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
Startups are now in the driver’s seat to fulfilling their potential says Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA. “Alongside our partners, we look forward to enabling our first cohort of B2B startups to compete at the highest level. And in hopes of transforming the region into a globally leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”
The accelerator program is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B startups across the Middle East and Africa. By connecting startups with large corporations with specific problem statements they are looking to solve. The 12-week program will empower the B2B startups with technology, mentoring and market access.
GrowthX Accelerator startups
Here are the 15 startups from across the Middle East and Africa region participating in the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program.
Spitch – a global provider of B2B and B2C Conversational AI solutions.
Gener8 – enables users to control and be rewarded from their own data.
Poltio – helps the world’s top brands engage and learn from their users with interactive content.
Getbee – an ecommerce platform that engages with customers on a more human and immersive level.
OPLOG – a pioneer in e-logistics, simplifying the cost, time and resources for supply chain operations.
Fero – shaping the future of digital freight with technology to automate the logistics industry,
Urbantz – a SaaS solution to transform last mile delivery and logistics across industries.
Hi55 – a digital payroll scheme to empower individuals and businesses with cashflow.
Nym Card – provides dynamic and secure building blocks for building fast and easy card programs.
Artiwise – an AI and NLP startup that provides cloud-based analytics solutions to enterprises.
B2Brain – delivers tailored analytics to automate research and intelligence to improve conversations.
Alpha Sense – an intelligence platform that helps businesses make data-driven decisions.
NexDegree –enables brick & mortar retail stores to improve customer experience and sales.
Udentify – reduces the need for manmade market research, utilizing body tracking technologies.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
Four hundred thousand people in South Africa have participated in the Microsoft Global Skills initiative. A Digital skills initiative that seeks to help participants gain in-demand skills to become employable. This shows an increase from the three hundred thousand shared in March this year.
Lillian Barnard, Managing Director, Microsoft South Africa details this at the launch event of the Nedbank DigiSkills online platform. Another strategic partnership with a private sector organization to extend the reach of digital skills to more South Africans.
Extending access to these learning paths, skills and tools come at a critical time for South Africa, says Lillian Barnard. Noting a declining economy and unemployment remain a mounting and widespread challenge in the country.
Even though the skills program has exceeded its initial goal of reaching 25 million learners, only over a million of those come from Africa. With South Africa having the most participants. Microsoft mentioned partnering with other organizations and governments as one of the many ways to change this. And offering additional funding and services where necessary.
These partnerships have been fundamental to scale programmes that help more people gain the critical future skills needed in the digital economy. We are committed to collaborating with partners such as Nedbank and Afrika Tikkun to provide the training, tools and platforms to boost employability and economic growth.
Lillian Barnard
Lillian believes digital skills are the most effective way to drive economic recovery in South Africa. Noting it is a priority for Microsoft to create opportunities that will enable and empower unemployed South Africans. Microsoft has provided $150000 in grants to the youth development NPO to extend the reach of the Microsoft Skills Initiative programme in South Africa.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Nedbank is introducing the Nedbank DigiSkills online platform. A low bandwidth digital skills training program in partnership with Microsoft and Afrika Tikkun. To help South Africans acquire the in-demand skills needed in a more digital post-COVID-19 economy. It plans to upskill and create sustainable income opportunities for one thousand South Africans by the end of 2021. With plans to scale this number to five thousand in the longer term.
The platform offers five free online courses and learning tracks that lead to roles in software development, data analysis, IT administration, customer service specialist and project management. Participants will undergo an evaluation process after the completion of a learning path. Those who qualify proceed to complete a Microsoft Certification exam.
South Africans over the age of 18, who can read and write English are eligible to participate in the Nedbank DigiSkills training.
Participating in the skills program is easy and here are the steps. First, visit the platform https://www.digiskills.careers and sign up. Enter your mobile number to start the registration process. You will receive an SMS to verify and confirm your mobile number. Then enter your details to complete your profile. Finally, you’ll then have access to the course library. Choose a course and start learning.
Nedbank says exam writing is available at its facilities in major cities across South Africa.
Microsoft South Africa’s partnership with Nedbank is part of Microsoft’s global skills initiative to help people most affected by the pandemic gain in-demand skills to be employable. By offering free online courses across Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub learning platforms. So far over 30 million people across the globe have participated in the program and over a million across Africa. Microsoft is partnering with organizations and governments in Africa to bring this to more people. Offering additional funding and services to make this possible where this is necessary.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
Meet the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. The laptop that borrows heavily from the design and name of the Surface Laptop, Surface Studio, Surface Pro devices and even the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel. Whether you call it a weird or an interesting form factor, Microsoft is introducing it as a replacement to the Surface Book line. But is the new device a worthy successor to the Surface Book?
The 14.4″ Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio runs on the latest quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core H Series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU. It is available with 16 or 32GB RAM, and 256GB up to 2TB SSD storage. Oh, it also has an upgradeable SSD and comes with a thunderbolt 4 port. Weighs about 1.8kg and battery life estimations show up to 19 hours of typical device usage. Check out the full device specifications and models.
Introducing Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio + specifications
While the Surface Laptop Studio’s design isn’t entirely new, no one has done it quite to this level with such great results.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review with Lisa Gade, MobileTechReview
The Surface Laptop Studio starts retailing at $ $1599.99 and is available in select markets. It is expected to become available in other markets including South Africa, Egypt and the UAE in early 2022.
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox. ” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
