Microsoft e-home solutions provide true digital lifestyle to Dubailand development
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- November 10, 2007 -- In an effort to provide comfortable and unmatched living environments, Microsoft and Dubai Lifestyle City, ETA Star Group's AED 2.4 billion lifestyle project in Dubailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 5th, 2007 to provide luxury home owners with a comfortable digital lifestyle thanks to smart e-home solutions based on Microsoft platforms.
The partnership will entail the implementation of Microsoft Connected Community and Connected Home Framework for 68 luxury villas, 120 condos, a luxurious five star hotel, the Sports Academy, a Members Club, and an Auditorium within Dubai Lifestyle City in Dubailand. Microsoft will provide a suite of products including the latest Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Home Server, Microsoft e-Home Automation Solutions from various Microsoft Partners, Windows Live and Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007.
"We are very excited about this unique partnership as it emphasises our ability to venture into different industries," said Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager Microsoft Gulf. "This partnership is the first of its kind in the region and also the first large scale implementation of Microsoft Home Solutions for residential projects. This project marks the start of a long line of innovative solutions within this industry."
Microsoft will also assist with the planning, technical architecture, and design of the deployment of Microsoft technologies, and plan design and implement the community data centre.
"The implementation of the Microsoft infrastructure will complement our vision of providing our residents with the ultimate luxurious lifestyle experience," said Arif Rahman, Managing Director Dubai Lifestyle City. "We are very committed to provide our residents with an unmatched living experience highlighting the benefits of smart e-homes of the future."
In the past, Microsoft has displayed its e-home capabilities on a micro-level by implementing its product suite in single units. But to get an entire city with all modern amenities e-connected is something Microsoft is implementing for the first time in the Gulf region. Having Dubai as the backdrop for such a fabulous creative experiment is rather symbolic; as Dubai has always been a place with an uncanny ability to take on newer and seemingly difficult challenges.
Dubai Lifestyle City is a Dhs2.4bn project situated in Dubailand and spans an area of four million square feet. The project offers resident and visitors a unique lifestyle experience within a serene and natural environment. The project is first of its kind in the region with unparalleled amenities and now a true digitally connected community.
For more information online: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/
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About Microsoft Gulf:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast
About Dubai Lifestyle City
Dubai Lifestyle City is a comprehensive lifestyle project conceptualized and executed by ETA Star Group. The project seeks to promote a unique concept of haute living that encompasses nearly everything in terms of luxuries, digital facilities, sports training and recreational opportunities, word-class hotels, fashion, art, theatre destination spa and shopping. With a view to ensure the exclusivity of the project and to make it truly world-class, Dubai Lifestyle City has entered into partnerships with some of the most respected brands in a variety of fields, including JW Marriott, IMG Academies, Microsoft, and Cisco.
Dubai Lifestyle City will have 68 Tuscan-themed villas and 120 villettes (apartments), all conceived by Tony Ashai the celebrated Beverley Hills designer. He is designing the project in the famed Tuscany style of architecture in a way that replicates every single detail of the Italian architecture. The project covers a land area of over four million square feet and aims at the creation of a self-sufficient lifestyle community.
© Press Release 2007
