Microsoft has announced plans to launch datacenters in France sometime in 2017 that will be used for its cloud-based services like Azure, Office 365 and Dynamics 365. It also announced the publication of a book, "A Cloud for Global Good" that offers ideas on how companies and the government can offer the cloud for everyone's benefit.
Microsoft's press release says that the company has invested $3 billion in European cloud-based services and datacenters so far, including new centers in the UK and Germany, the latter of which is expected to launch in 2017:
"We continue to invest heavily in cloud infrastructure to meet the growing demand from European customers and partners," said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. "Building a global, trusted, intelligent cloud platform is core to our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. There's never been a better time for organizations across Europe to seize new growth and opportunity with the Microsoft Cloud."
Microsoft's free online book, "A Cloud for Global Good", offers what the company calls a "framework" for how businesses can make the cloud more inclusive. Microsoft President Brad Smith says:
In A Cloud for Global Good, we offer a three-part framework that focuses on creating a trusted, responsible, and inclusive cloud that will help ensure that technology benefits everyone, not just the fortunate few. It includes 78 policy recommendations in 15 areas ranging from privacy, security, and safety to environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, and education and jobs skills training. It offers our view of the need for a broad-based approach by governments, coupled with a strong sense of shared responsibility and action by those of us in the private sector. This book therefore offers suggestions about the steps governments, the tech industry, and civil society can take to build a cloud that serves the broader good.
The announcements are part of Nadella and Smith's trip to Europe this week, beginning in Dublin and continuing to London, Paris and Berlin. Smith says:
We're spending this week meeting with customers, partners, developers and government leaders. We'll talk about how the Microsoft Cloud is driving the transformation of businesses and industries across Europe and around the world. We'll talk about how our customers have harnessed the cloud to create new capabilities, connect with their customers in deeper ways, solve problems, gain insights, and access new markets. We'll also highlight Microsoft's broad investment in the cloud in Europe and our unique approach to meeting customer needs by offering more choice and flexibility.
