Ooredoo, Microsoft Qatar Conclude Upgrade at Smart Data Center QDC5

Doha, June 10 (QNA) - Ooredoo and Microsoft Qatar on Wednesday announced a significant upgrade at Ooredoo's next generation Smart Data Center QDC5 in Mesaimeer, which will see the facility deploy Microsoft solutions to make the delivery of cloud-based services more efficient and effective for companies across the country, the company announced in a press release. Cloud-based services, which include security, customer relationship management and file-sharing applications, are becoming increasingly important for Qatar's companies, and this first-of-its-kind cloud-hosting platform will enable businesses to deploy the latest generation of solutions quickly and cost-effectively, in a flexible and scalable manner. A special ceremony was held at the Ooredoo QDC5 Smart Data Centre to mark the implementation of the platform, attended by Ooredoo Chief New Business Officer Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al-Thani and Microsoft Qatar General Manager Naim Yazbeck along with senior executives from both companies. "Ooredoo strives to support the growth of the knowledge-based economy and to enable the nation's businesses to achieve their full potential," Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad said as he addressed the event. "We have designed the Ooredoo QDC5 Smart Data Centre to sit at the cutting-edge of business technology, which is why this new upgrade using the Microsoft Azure Pack as the gateway to deliver a range of IT services on top of storage and network resources is so important. There is a rising demand for cloud-based services and we need to ensure the best possible performance on our bigger, faster network." With the new upgrade, Ooredoo's QDC5 Smart Data Center is being supported by the Microsoft Windows Azure Pack, running on the latest Windows Server and System Centre. The solution enables cloud infrastructures to feature rich, self-service capabilities and support the automation of complex processes that make the delivery of cloud-based data services more efficient. For his part, Yazbeck said Microsoft Qatar is "keen to play a key role in the development of Qatar's digital future," adding that partnering with Ooredoo goes in line with Microsoft's plans and vision. "We are truly proud to partner with Ooredoo on such an important project." For years, Microsoft has been building and operating some of the largest cloud applications in the world. Microsoft's Cloud OS vision combines Microsoft knowledge and experiences with today's trends and technology innovations to deliver a modern platform of products and services. Launched in October 2014, Ooredoo's QDC5 Smart Data Centre is one of the most advanced in the region, receiving an ISO 22301 certification that positions the facility and Ooredoo as a global leader in data availability, resilience, and disaster recovery. Offering the first-of-its-kind cloud-hosting platform, QDC5 enables a number of new services for Qatar that have not been made available previously. These include intelligent patching in the Smart Data Center, providing complete visibility into the network infrastructure, and an integrated sensor network that maximizes energy efficiency through streamlined web-based management. By introducing these advanced features, Ooredoo is making it possible for companies to adopt next generation data centre technologies by reducing deployment time, increasing availability and accelerating innovation. Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. It has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives, Myanmar and Indonesia. (QNA)