New server is built from the cloud up for the modern datacenter.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Sept. 16, 2012 -- Today, at a regional launch event, Samer Abu Ltaif, General Manager Microsoft Gulf, announced the launch of Windows Server 2012.  In his keynote speech, Abu Ltaif described how Windows Server 2012 is a cornerstone of the Cloud OS that provides customers with a modern platform for the world's applications.

The event was also attended by Microsoft's key partners, HP and Intel, who were represented by Eyad Shihabi, Managing Director, HP Middle East and Nassir Nauthoa, General Manager, Gulf Countries at Intel and who also took part in the keynote speech at the event at the Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai.

 "The operating system has always been the heartbeat of IT and is now undergoing a renaissance in the new world of continuous cloud services, connected devices and big data," said Abu Ltaif. "Microsoft's unique legacy in the most widely used operating systems, applications and cloud services positions us to deliver the Cloud OS, based on Windows Server and Windows Azure, helping customers achieve a datacenter without boundaries."

Enabling the Modern Datacenter

Microsoft built Windows Server 2012 from the cloud up, applying its experience operating global datacenters that rely on hundreds of thousands of servers to deliver more than 200 cloud services. Windows Server 2012 expands the definition of a server operating system and adds significant new advancements in virtualization, storage, networking and automation. Hundreds of new features can help customers achieve a transformational leap in the speed, scale and power of their datacenters and applications. In combination with Windows Azure and System Center, Windows Server 2012 empowers customers to manage and deliver applications and services across private, hosted and public clouds.

Customers Find Success With Windows Server 2012

Customers can use their existing skills and investments in systems management, application development, database, identity and virtualization to take advantage of Windows Server 2012 and realize the promise of cloud computing. Many enterprise customers are already seeing tremendous value in early deployments. A survey of 70 early adopter customers from across the globe revealed that they expect, on average, 52 percent reduction in downtime, 41 percent reduction in workload deployment time, and 15 hours of productivity time saved per year, per employee. 91 percent of the companies surveyed expect a reduction in server administration labor, and 88 percent expect reduction in network administration labor.*

More information about Windows Server 2012 and the Cloud OS is available here. Read Satya Nadella, president of Microsoft Server and Tools Business's post on The Official Microsoft Blog here. The conversation on Twitter can be followed at #WinServer.

* "Windows Server 2012 Rapid Deployment Program: TCO Study Whitepaper," Microsoft Corp., June 2012

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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/middle east.

For more information                                                                                              
Miriam Farshoukh
PR Lead - Microsoft Gulf                             
Tel: +971508249774                                               
Email: a-mifars@microsoft.com
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +97143210077
Email: microsoft@ws-mena.com 

© Press Release 2012