Qatar National Library (QNL) announced Tuesday the successful completion of the library's repatriation of Azure services to the Microsoft Cloud Data Center Region in Qatar from Microsoft's West Europe Region in a step aimed at strengthening the library's technological capabilities, improving the efficiency of providing its digital services, and enhancing the user experience for its patrons on the website, the library's electronic resources, the Qatar Digital Library, and the library's application for smart devices.
According to QNL, one of the most significant outcomes of repatriation to the Microsoft Cloud Data Center, the first in the country, is a remarkable reduction in latency, down from 120 milliseconds to an impressive five milliseconds. This dramatic decrease significantly enhances the responsiveness and performance of the library's website and core business applications, providing users with a seamless and faster digital experience.
The new setup further solidifies the library's commitment to ensuring the robustness and continuity of services. Azure implementation across three availability zones or isolated data centres — in Qatar offers unparalleled redundancy and high-availability for critical applications and workloads. This ensures the library's services are resilient and uninterrupted during unforeseen challenges or local disruptions.
Marking the occasion, Director of IT Operations and Infrastructure at QNL Nasser al-Ansari said: "This milestone achievement is a testament to the library's commitment to providing cutting-edge services to our community. The reduction in latency and improved availability not only enhance our core operations but also reaffirm our position as a modern library that embraces digital advancements."
Commenting on the announcement, Customer Success Unit Lead for Qatar, Microsoft, Waqar Aziz said: "Qatar National Library pioneered the adoption of Microsoft Azure Cloud in Qatar for digital transformation and innovation. QNL's repatriation to Microsoft Cloud region in Qatar will notably enhance the application experience for end users and bolster its business resilience, scalability, and agility through a multi-region approach."
Nasser al-Ansari
