Microsoft's 'Open Door Kuwait' showcases latest Productivity Innovation with Office 365, Windows 8 and breadth of Cloud solutions

Annual technology showcase provides {Kuwait's} business and IT professionals insights into technology innovation
Office 365, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and other Cloud productivity solutions will be on display during the Keynote and Sessions

Open Door supported by strategic partners across the Gulf, including HP and Nokia as well as Exceed IT Services and Training, Lenovo and Toshiba

Kuwait, 20 February 2013 -- Microsoft brings the next generation of Cloud and Productivity technology products and services to Kuwait as part of its annual Open Door. Windows 8, Office 2013, Windows Server 2012 are highlights from the technology portfolio that event attendees will experience during Open Door. Bringing customers and partners across the region the latest innovation news and updates on Microsoft technologies, products and offers, Open Door will shed the light on Office 2013, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and other Microsoft innovation.

Microsoft Open Door is a one-day event that brings together speakers from Microsoft and partners to provide the IT professional and business community with insights into the latest technology innovations. Attendees engage with Microsoft experts and interact with other peers from the IT community, while learning about Microsoft's breadth of solutions, technologies and vision for 2013.

Open Door Kuwait is one of five Microsoft experiential technology showcases taking place in the Gulf region in 2013, reaching people across five countries including Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Regional sponsors for Gulf Open Door are Nokia and HP. Additional partners include Exceed IT Services and Training, Lenovo and Toshiba.

"Microsoft Open Door presents a unique opportunity for IT professionals and enthusiasts in Kuwait to experience tomorrow's technologies today," said Ihab Moustafa, Country Manager Microsoft Kuwait. "As a company, we place innovation at the heart of everything we do and our belief that technology enables change goes hand in hand with Kuwait's vision of the development of a competitive and diversified economy, and we are confident that innovation and technology will contribute to the future development of Kuwait. We are committed, through working with our partners, to providing IT professionals and businesses in Kuwait with the latest technology to enhance productivity, enable innovation and reduce security risks," he continued.

During the event, Microsoft will provide access to pioneering next-generation IT solutions but also discuss ways and means to help businesses improve their productivity and Return on Investment (ROI) using technology. In addition, a special focus will be given to cloud computing, with Microsoft showcasing its latest innovations and the cloud capabilities that Microsoft Office 365, Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 bring to businesses and consumers.

Omar Draghmeh, Managing Director, HP Kuwait & Bahrain said "We are pleased to announce our partnership with Microsoft Gulf for the Open Door Roadshow, which aligns with HP's vision of creating new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. As the world's largest technology company, we are looking forward to engaging with IT and Business professionals through Open Door to introduce them to the latest innovation."

"Innovations within the realm of technology have played a vital role in the growth and productivity of the region. We see partnering with Microsoft Gulf for the Open Door as an opportunity to be involved in the new ways by which leaders from the IT and corporate world connect with each other to share the latest trends in productivity through real-time conversations," said Vithesh Reddy, General Manager Nokia Lower Gulf.

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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

Media Contact
Miriam Farshoukh
Public Relations Lead - Microsoft Gulf
Tel: +971508249774
Email: a-mifars@microsoft.com

Nadin Al Alami / Stacy Lobo
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
Tel: 00965 22901571/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5
Fax: 00965 2290157
Email: nadin.alami@bm.com / stacy.lobo@bm.com