Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers. Tariq Halawani, Executive Director – Enterprise Solutions at Microsoft talks to The Integrator about the company’s interest in providing cloud solutions to enterprises in the UAE and other regions in the Middle East.

Digital transformation for enterprises is no longer an option but a necessity; cloud support becomes an integral part of it. How can Microsoft help small, medium, and large enterprises on this mission?

Small to medium-sized businesses are the backbone of economies, while larger enterprises facilitate diversified ways to generate revenue and boost the economy of scale. So, organizations must be enabled to seamlessly conduct operations through the power of the Cloud.

Microsoft’s positioning within the regional digital landscape is ideal for innovative enterprises. Our Abu Dhabi and Dubai data centers place the trusted, versatile, intelligent Microsoft Cloud at the disposal of businesses looking to compete in the post-COVID world.

From the collaborative potential of Teams to the productivity of Office; from the business intelligence of Dynamics 365 to the pioneering capabilities of Azure’s IoT functions, and Cognitive Services’ chatbots – there’s something for every innovator.

Tell us how cloud-based infrastructure and platforms offered by Microsoft help businesses grow, improve flexibility, and increase profitability?

Cloud services give businesses the option of using and paying for only the tools they need to achieve their own individual goals. Controlling costs when businesses are at a nascent stage is important for their early cash flow and profitability.

Then, when brand recognition and revenues hit critical mass, smaller businesses can take their next steps by growing their technology stack to meet the needs of their next five-year plan.

Supporting short-term to long-term plans are the benefits of cloud services that improve efficiencies, cost savings, cyber-resilience, and secure access. These future-proof innovations allow businesses to fully harness the capabilities of AI, IoT, Blockchain, and augmented or virtual reality, providing a competitive edge while upholding privacy and security.

Kindly articulate hybrid cloud and differentiate it from multi-cloud services from a business perspective

Hybrid is a mix of different types of clouds like public and private clouds, while multi-cloud is a blend of several separate public clouds of the same type. For example, in a hybrid cloud, workloads and application services could run in a public cloud while data resides in a private cloud. In multi-cloud environments, the same solution would have both clouds being public.

For businesses, it is all about the choice between multiple providers, or a single trusted partner to achieve consistency. The decision to be made by businesses depends on their specific chief concerns such as cost, security, reliability, performance, time, and effort in migration to the cloud. Be it hybrid or multi-cloud, cost and security remain the highest of priorities from the lot. Therefore, for those who have higher regulatory standards, hybrid cloud services may be ideal, while cost concerns can lean toward the multi-cloud service option. In terms of cloud architecture, it is worth noting that services such as Microsoft Azure Arc can help manage these complex architecture seamlessly, no matter what cloud services, providers, and components are involved.

Speak about the collaborations that Microsoft have made to strengthen its cloud deployment and support services in the UAE and other GCC countries

Our activities in these areas are multifaceted, however, skilling is at the core of our efforts, especially through the Microsoft Cloud Society. We have partnered with the MADRASA free e-learning platform and collaborated with the One Million Arab Coders initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to skilling and upskilling.

Bolstering these skills is also found in the AI School, exploring the latest AI technology at a personalized pace at any level. This in-depth learning path navigates through the essential concepts of AI and machine learning services, preparing individuals to discover various innovative ways to develop AI solutions from the power and potentials of the cloud.

Building cloud skills is integral to transforming a business into a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and secure organization that delivers performance driven by innovation. These initiatives empower a generation of future leaders to contribute to the UAE’s digital economy, enabling them to excel in cloud development skills and creating greater prospects for the nation’s digital endeavors.

Discuss the scope of cloud-based infrastructure and related solutions in the post-pandemic era

Cloud is now the fastest way to develop digital experiences for employees and customers. And in the modern era, where B2C and B2B customers and the employees that serve them are mostly digital natives, saying something is the “fastest way” is tantamount to saying it is the “only way” because digital natives are not known for their patience.

Business employees will also be empowered to achieve more through the new challenges and demands of remote work. Untethered to a physical location, the right cloud service can provide equal to higher efficient productivity through communication tools. Within this process, organizations will have fresher sources of innovation and insights that can proactively connect with customers and cater to their specific needs.

Migrating and fully operating in the cloud will also optimize costs by unlocking new degrees of productivity. Reducing the overall infrastructure costs will drive profitably and growth for an organization. And safeguarding these stages of transformation is also of utmost importance, for example, the way Azure invests heavily in security and compliance within a cloud framework.

The agility, security, and cost-effectiveness of the intelligent cloud are the new normal because of the pandemic. Organizations must be equipped with the right solutions to be able to take on today’s challenges and be prepared for any future hurdles that can be faced with the power of the cloud, with confidence and resilience.