New data centre region will bring cloud services and new job opportunities to the country
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft will invest $1.5 billion in Italy’s digital transformation as part of a five-year plan that will include the country’s first cloud data centre region, a partnership with postal company Poste Italiane and providing new job and training opportunities.
The ‘Ambizione Italia #DigitalRestart’ plan builds on Microsoft’s previous ‘Ambizione Italia’ initiative launched in 2018 to create new opportunities and support Italy’s economic growth.
According to a Microsoft news story, the firm will launch a joint plan [with Poste Italiane] to develop a new digital skilling project for the Poste Italiane workforce and the rest of the country. Poste Italiane will also use the latest Microsoft solutions to accelerate its own digital transformation.
The new data centre region in Milan will enable organisations to access Microsoft’s enterprise-grade cloud services, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. According to research by Politecnico di Milano School of Management and Microsoft Italia, the region is likely to create over 10,000 jobs and around $9 billion by the end of 2024.
“In this time of change, it is important to create private and public collaboration and join forces among companies,” said Silvia Candiani, general manager of Microsoft Italy. “This plan creates a platform for growth for millions of Italians. The new data centre region will provide intelligent and secure services, and we will continue to partner with our customers to reimagine their business models creating more innovative companies.”
‘Ambizione Italia #DigitalRestart’ also aims to educate 1.5 million students, professionals and unemployed citizens over the next three years with Microsoft partner Fondazione Mondo Digitale and the Partner Academy Program. In addition, Microsoft AI Hubs with help firms start using artificial intelligence (AI).
On top of this, Microsoft and local stakeholders will launch a Sustainability Alliance to address the most urgent climate and environmental challenges and improve sustainability in Italy.
“I am proud to announce our $1.5 billion investment plan for Italy,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president of Microsoft global sales, marketing and operations. “This plan will support those working across the country to sustain and rebuild businesses, to explore new entrepreneurial opportunities and help solve some of the country’s most difficult challenges, all while meeting critical security and compliance needs. We see enormous potential to accelerate innovation within the national ecosystem through cloud services, AI and digital skilling. Our mission is to empower the people and organizations of Italy to achieve more.”