Microsoft Cloud Roadshow’16 successfully leads UAE towards Cloud Innovation

In line with Microsoft’s efforts to impart the latest cloud knowledge and empower IT professionals to achieve more, the Cloud Roadshow 2016, held on February 22nd and 23rd at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, has successfully concluded. The event aimed at reiterating the cloud presence in the market by hosting two-day trainings held by Microsoft experts who shared valuable techniques and sound practices that allow organizations and individuals to leverage the most suitable technology solutions for their needs. It also provided a unique opportunity for IT leaders and professionals to meet and collaborate in an engaging platform.

According to figures from IDC, the MEA Public Cloud Market is expected to cross $ 533 million in the year 2016, with Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) having a bigger market share of 56%. From other figures indicating MEA ICT spending to cross $ 270 million in 2016, and UAE IT spending expected to reach $8 billion, it is evident that the cloud growth index is escalating every year. Public cloud will be seen as a way to overcome budgetary constraints by 22.6%, pointing towards the role and significance of cloud computing in strengthening the economy of Middle East and Africa region. In line with these figures representing UAE cloud market, the Cloud Roadshow aims to heighten cloud awareness amongst professionals and organizations.

The first day opened with keynote speaker James Philips, Corporate Vice President, Business Intelligence Group, highlighting the essence of cloud computing and imparting basic tips on how leveraging modern cloud technology can lead to organizations reinventing themselves. During the sessions further stress was placed upon building and deploying of applications with the Microsoft App Platform, with emphasis on the fundamentals of Office 365, Windows 10 infrastructure and bringing power of data to organizations.

Second day presentations elaborated on cloud solutions that can lead to more collaborative and cohesive workspaces. Microsoft solutions like Office 365, SharePoint, Azure and Internet of Things (IoT) were expounded upon, with prominent speakers emphasizing their role in creating more competitive advantage for businesses, and how best to leverage these solutions for managing workplace processes.

Samer Abu Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf, expressing his view on the completion of this two-day event said “Microsoft Cloud Roadshow is a great platform that brings together like-minded individuals who share technological expertise and learn from each other. These events help not only the IT professionals, but the customers and partners all stand to gain. Microsoft aims to take a bold and customer centric approach towards the cloud in order to provide easily accessible, pervasive and more intelligent cloud choices to its customers. Our strategy is to share best practices that lead to more intelligent cloud workings and help our customers differentiate and transform their businesses no matter where they are in their cloud journey.”

The cloud roadshow trainings saw some prominent names from noted industries who participated and contributed to the successful realization of this event. Full day workshops provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of prominent and diverse cloud solutions, and helped them gain powerful insights into the complex working of cloud technology across Office 365, Microsoft Azure and Windows 10.