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Microsoft set to open a new data center in Milano
It’s the most ambitious investment yet by the American multinational, with more than 10.000 new job opportunities expected
Called “Ambizione Italia #digitalrestart”, it is the greatest investment plan by Microsoft since its landing in Italy 35 years ago. Worth 1,5 billion through a 5 years program, the plan includes the opening of a new data center in Italy and a busy calendar of initiatives aimed at spreading knowledge on new technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing through companies and public entities. As explained by Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations – “Cloud Computing, AI, and digital transformation programs represent a great opportunity for accelerating innovation within the national ecosystem. Our mission is to help Italian citizens and organizations in achieving their potential”.
Microsoft’s five-year plan will thus focus on three strategic areas: Cloud Computing access, digital training and reskilling programmes, local partnerships aimed at companies’ innovation and a sustainability alliance.
The new Data Center Region in Milano, follows the landing of two other ICT giants: Amazon, with its new AWS Region in the city, and IBM, with its IBM Studios innovation lab. According to a research conducted by the Politecnico of Milano School of Management in collaboration with Microsoft Italia, the opening of such Data Center will bring more than 10.000 job opportunities (incl. direct and induced); furthermore, it will generate a total amount of direct and indirect income worth 9 billion dollars by the year 2024, mainly due to both the creation of the Data Center and the linked benefits for the local ICT ecosystem.
In order to further help the adoption of such technologies by developers, startups, firms and public entities, Microsoft and Poste Italiane have renewed their partnership. The two companies will launch a program aimed at developing a new series of cloud services in order to meet the new needs within both the private and public sectors.
Moreover, Microsoft is willing to commit on the training field by expanding its digital skills and AI training activities for schools of every order and degree, in collaboration with Fondazione Mondo Digitale. The company will continue its training and specific certification activities, through its Partner Academy Program, supported by Partner Microsoft.
