Microsoft announces thirty one new Azure edge sites.
Bringing its cloud customers a faster network and their consumers increased satisfaction. The announced sites will include new edge sites in Kenya and Nigeria. With upcoming sites in Egypt, Turkey and Israel later. The sites will be located in Nairobi, Lagos, Cairo and Tel Aviv.
Providing users fast and reliable access to their cloud services, apps and content is pivotal to a business’ success.
Yousef Khalid
Microsoft CVP Azure networking, Yousef Khalid talks about the latest development. He says the Azure Edge sites will provide application development teams increased visibility and higher availability. To access services that improve how they deliver global applications.
Through deployment and operation of globally and strategically placed edge sites, Microsoft dramatically accelerates the performance and experience when you are accessing apps, content, or services such as Azure and Office 365 on the Microsoft global network. – Yousef Khalid
What does this mean?
Infrastructure and development teams will now have; Improved optimization for application delivery. An enhanced customer experience and Private connectivity and dedicated performance through Azure ExpressRoute.
This will significantly improve user experience. Providing fast and reliable access to cloud services for our customers in the region. Local ISVs and startups can provide services to customers competitively and with confidence. – Wale Olokodana [Intelligent Cloud (Azure) Business Group Lead at Microsoft]
Microsoft announced datacenters in Middle East and Africa this year.
Our co-founder Christopher Bennett was invited to participate in a training program last year at the Microsoft office in Nairobi, Kenya. The training gave more insight of Microsoft’s Software Asset Management program to partners from across Africa.
https://youtu.be/zUV6UC_Z25g
What is Software Asset Management?
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a set of proven IT practices that unite people, processes, and technology to control and optimize the use of software across an organization. SAM can help you control costs as well as manage business and legal risks, optimize software license investments, and grow IT systems to accommodate your organization’s expanding needs.
Five reasons why you should implement SAM
(1) Improve financial security
(2) Volume discounts for better price points
(3) More liability control
(4) Smoother operations
(5) Increased long-term business value
Some more benefits of SAM
SAM eliminates waste, overlap, and duplicate purchases throughout your organization. By optimizing your software assets and streamlining your internal processes, SAM can help you save time and money, improve workflow, and increase your competitiveness as your company grows in size and maturity.
Reach out to us and let’s help your organization get the most from your software investments. By analyzing your infrastructure and making ensure you are correctly licensed. Teach your IT team how to properly manage your company’s software asset.
Windows 95 became generally avalable to the public on the 24th of August 2015.
The operating system (OS) was an upgrade from the Windows 3.x family. Bringing its MS-DOS based operating system and its Windows collection of solutions and services into one OS. In this upgrade Microsoft introduced a host of graphical changes to make it user friendly. The start Menu as we all know and like debuted with this OS.
Let’s go down memory lane.
Watch excerpts of the Launch event
What do you remember about Windows 95? Your best features or tools? Let’s know, share them with us.
Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local problems says Jack Ngaare, MD of Microsoft Africa Development Center, Kenya site. He was sharing insights on Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Internet of Things(IoT) during keynote address at the third East Africa IoT and AI Summit.
Speaking to delegates at the conference he emphasized the need to focus on the problems Africa has and be more deliberate about solving these problems using such emerging technologies.
Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local[Africa] problems
He asked “What problems do we have? What are the focus areas and what are the simple solutions?
40% of farm produce in Kenya goes to waste, talking about use cases of IoT in the East Africa region. IoT can help solve some of agriculture’s most vexing challenges. By helping farmers connect fields and herds, reduce risks, streamline operations as well as increase yield. IoT technology and data driven agriculture Jack says is one answer to solving the agriculture challenge.
Microsoft research scientists are testing Farmbeats; a data driven solution which help farmers improve their yields and lower costs in Kenya. Microsoft plans to later scale Farmbeats across Africa.
Register to showcase your innovation at the 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA Online Regional Semifinals.
Do you have an idea that solves a problem? Can your idea use Microsoft’s Azure technology in solving the problem? Register to participate in Microsoft’s 2020 Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Imagine Cup online regional semifinals. For a chance to qualify to the EMEA Regional finals in Amsterdam. Where you can win USD 8,000 cash, Azure credits and travel to the world finals in Seattle.
Students at any qualified academic institution aged 16 and above can participate in the cup competition. Teams can be of one to three members.
Imagine Cup is about innovations changing the way we live. It is about solutions and applications that save lives.
The competition provides a platform for student teams across the globe to showcase the technology ideas they create. How those technologies can not only shape their futures, but directly improve the lives of users.
EMEA Online Regional Semifinals
The competition begins with a call to submit unique ideas to the online regional semi-final competition. Submit your EMEA online regional semi-final projects by December 15, 2019. Announcement of finalists will take place on 15th January 2020. They will advance to present their projects 10th March 2020 at the in-person Regional Finals in Amsterdam.
Local country competitions will he held in some countries. Winners from these countries will join the online winners at the 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam. For a chance to qualify to the world finals. Last year team iCropal from Kabarak University, Kenya was one of such teams.
Team iCropal Left, present at EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam
2020 World Finals
Winners and runner up teams from EMEA, Asia and Americas Regional Final will meet in Seattle to compete in the Imagine Cup World Championship. For a chance to win USD 100,000 cash. As well as USD 50,000 in Azure grants and a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Do you need help to get started? There are lots of resources to get you learning and going.
Do you want to know more about the Microsoft Africa Development Center? About internships, job offers and work culture at Microsoft? What skills do you need to be a software or hardware engineer at Microsoft? Do you have questions like these and many more?
Join Microsoft’s Partner Development Manager, Somet Kipchilat and Breadth and Community Manager, Lawrence Muthoga as they answer more of these. In the first ever Microsoft Tech Community Kenya AMA(Ask Me Anything).
Are you a student and interested in joining the Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) program? Or knowing more about the MSP program? MSP’s from across Africa will answer these during the call.
Want questions asked by the moderator during the AMA? Send them to admin@mstechcommunities.com .
The first virtual session takes place on 30th August 2019 at 1600hrs EAT. via a Skype call. Link to the event Skype call is bit.ly/mtc254ama (use this link to join the call on Friday August 30, 2019 at 4pm EAT, 3pm SAT, 1pm GMT)
