Microsoft announced this morning its plans to invest $1 billion in Poland over the next seven years. The investment plan includes the construction of a new data center which will provide Polish companies local access to Microsoft services Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365. Additionally, Microsoft will also launch a skills development program to train polish people with cloud-based technologies.
Today’s announcement builds on Microsoft’s presence in the country for around 30 years. The press release also mentions that Microsoft has already entered into a partnership with local cloud provider Chmura Krajowa to provide could services in Poland. Apparently, this new investment plan will leverage the country’s situation as a regional hub for technology in central Europe.
“Microsoft’s global-scale cloud in Poland will allow an ever-wider use, faster implementation and more benefits to those public institutions and businesses in critical sectors along with Poland’s thriving start-up community. This investment will also provide strong support for the continued success of Poland’s developer talent pool and beyond, creating critical skilling and learning opportunities for an estimated 150,000 employees, partners and students,” said Jean-Phillippe Courtois, executive vice president and president of Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations.
As a reminder, Microsoft currently has 54 Azure regions around the world, more than any other cloud provider. However, as the Redmond giant continues to deal with capacity issues, the company will likely continue to launch new Azure regions in the near future.
