Ooredoo has announced a partnership with Microsoft to enable Ooredoo to be the first telecommunications service provider in the Gulf to provide Microsoft Azure Stack hybrid cloud.
This, in turn, will enable Qatar’s digital business growth and nationwide digital transformation, Ooredoo has said in a statement.
Azure Stack is an extension of the Microsoft Azure Cloud, providing “a truly consistent hybrid cloud platform that removes complexity and helps organisations maximise investments across cloud and on-premises environments”, the statement notes.
Azure Stack enables cloud functionality at Ooredoo’s local in-country data centres, giving customers the power of the cloud, with scalability and control of their data, available within Qatar.
This partnership will drive innovation and digital transformation by using the Azure Stack hybrid cloud to enable artificial intelligence and data analytics across Qatar.
On the Microsoft Azure platform, Ooredoo will offer its customers a wide range of cloud-based solutions hosted out of its Tier 3-certified Qatar Data Centre.
Customers will be able to choose from “Infrastructure as a Service” solutions, such as backup and disaster recovery, data centre modernisation, and “Platform as a Service” solutions, such as mobile and Web applications.
Ooredoo’s business customers will receive the biggest benefit from a hybrid cloud approach: hosting back-end application data in-country on Ooredoo’s Qatar Data Centre private cloud, and hosting front-end application features on Microsoft Azure’s global Hybrid cloud, the media statement adds.
Ooredoo chief operating officer Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi said: “Providing the Microsoft Azure Stack Hybrid cloud is a clear statement of Ooredoo’s commitment to Qatar’s digital transformation.
“We will provide our business customers with the most advanced hybrid cloud solutions that can optimise costs, flexibility and agility for scaling up as businesses expand, and free up staff to focus on innovation.”
Microsoft Qatar country manager Lana Khalaf said: “We have seen tremendous customer and partner excitement about the new opportunities that Microsoft Azure Stack can bring for organisations in the country.”
“Our ‘One Azure Ecosystem’ approach helps extend investments to Azure Stack and unlock new possibilities for hybrid cloud environments to drive innovation – anywhere,” she explained. “Microsoft Qatar’s partnership with Ooredoo is a cornerstone in our mission to empower organisations in Qatar and drive digital transformation by making the most out of Azure Cloud services, based on their dynamic business and regulatory needs.”