NEWS
Microsoft to launch new cloud data
centre region in Israel
M
icrosoft has announced plans to establish the company’s first
cloud region in Israel to deliver its intelligent, trusted cloud
services through a local data centre region.
This investment expands the Microsoft global cloud infrastructure
to 56 cloud regions in 21 countries, with the new Israel region
anticipated to be available starting with Microsoft Azure in 2021,
with Office 365 to follow. The new Israel region will adhere to
Microsoft’s trusted cloud principles and become part of one of the
largest cloud infrastructures in the world, already serving more than
This announcement
reinforces the continuous
commitment of Microsoft
to the Israeli market
a billion customers and 20 million businesses. Azure is an ever-
expanding set of cloud services that offers computing, networking,
databases, analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) services. The
investment in a new Israel data centre region will enable customers
to use the most advanced technologies and adhere to data residency
requirements to store data within Israel.
Microsoft’s cloud services are also compliant with the EU’s General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and are certified for an industry-
leading portfolio of international security and privacy standards.
Azure will enable the local Israeli ecosystem to build on the latest
advancements in the cloud, helping organisations drive their Digital
Transformation. Office 365, a leading cloud-based productivity
solution, will be available from the new data centre region,
helping customers enable the modern workplace and empower
their employees with real-time collaboration and cloud-powered
intelligence while maintaining security, compliance and in-country
customer data residency.
“We have made significant infrastructure investments in the region
and with this announcement, our planned region in Israel will join a
growing number of EMEA markets recently made available, including
Germany, Norway, South Africa and Switzerland,” said Michel van der
Bel, President, Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa.
//////////////////
Consortium intends to digitally transform rail ops
supporting 4.8 million daily passenger journeys
C
ognizant has been selected by Network
Rail, Britain’s principal rail infrastructure
owner, to lead a new consortium tasked with
delivering data-driven operations as part of
a comprehensive Intelligent Infrastructure
transformation programme.
Cognizant, in partnership with rail specialists,
Amey Consulting, and Arup, has been awarded
a five-year contract to design, build and
operate digital capabilities based on Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT),
data analytics and mobility technologies
that will help improve Network Rail’s asset
management and overall performance.
Cognizant will lead the consortium in
developing and applying enhanced data
collection and analytics to Network Rail’s more
than 12,000 connected assets such as track
circuits, signal power supplies and switches. The
new capabilities will equip Network Rail with
real-time condition monitoring and data-driven
insights, aided by AI, to improve decision
14
INTELLIGENTCIO
making and asset management. Network Rail
expects to lower costs and enhance safety by
predicting and preventing maintenance issues,
prioritising work streams and minimising
the time rail workers spend on the tracks.
Passengers and freight customers are expected
to experience fewer travel disruptions.
“To fulfil our ambition, we need to adopt a
strong partnership model that harnesses
expertise from across the industry,” said
Jacqueline Young, Intelligent Infrastructure
Director, Network Rail. “We are forming
a network of partnerships that will drive
transformation across the railway, improving
life for colleagues working every day to
maintain and renew our infrastructure, and
ultimately providing a safe and reliable
railway for the millions of passengers who
depend on us every day.”
www.intelligentcio.com