Windows Server 2012 Powers the Cloud OS

Microsoft Qatar launches a unique datacenter solution

Doha -- Sept. 19, 2012

Microsoft Qatar announced today the launch of Windows Server 2012 in Qatar and Cloud OS platform. The Cloud OS provides a modern platform to address the industry trends while taking advantage of the technology advancements. Commenting on this milestone in Qatar, Microsoft's Country Manager, Naim Yazbeck said:

"At Microsoft, we have been hard at work delivering cloud innovation to help businesses succeed in this transformational time. What we are seeing in the industry calls for a different approach. Now, organizations can achieve a datacenter without boundaries. The OS and apps are wherever you need them to be. We are committed to this vision and we call it the Cloud OS. This platform should unlock further potentials for Qatari businesses and we wish to work closely with our partners in Qatar to leverage its maximum potential. I would like to congratulate Qatar Airways as the first to incorporate this platform in their ever growing business:." - concluded Yazbeck

"We have been using Windows Server 2012 through the Rapid Development Program (RDP) to experience how it can empower a dynamic datacenter" said Shibu Mathai, Manager, Infrastructure design at Qatar Airways. "We have benefited from the new virtualization enhancements in Windows Server 2012, I can envisage that cloud computing will be extremely beneficial for our business development'.

Additional information about Windows Server 2012 and Cloud OS

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

-Ends-

About Microsoft Qatar
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. As part of Microsoft Gulf with its Dubai-based headquarters, Microsoft Qatar opened in Doha in2003 with its offices located in Qatar Science & Technology Park. 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 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

Sadeq Alfardan
Grayling
Tel: +97455117216
sadeq@graylingmomentum.com