We were particularly pleased to read yesterday Microsoft’s announcement about the creation of a cloud Datacenter in Greece, as part of the “GR for Growth” initiative. CGSoft, a Silver & Gold Certified Partner of Microsoft for more than fifteen years, already offers almost all of its applications on the Microsoft Azure cloud, and there are quite a few of our partners who are already utilizing them in smaller and/or very large installations, with the most recent example being that of NBG (National Bank of Greece) for all of the applications of the Thesis Property Suite, an integrated real estate portfolio management suite.
But what should we expect -and should you expect- in practice from this investment, beyond the immediate inflow of some -several- millions of euros and the hiring of dozens of new employees? In Greece, we often say “the tools make the master“. Microsoft’s ”GR for Growth” initiative is an important step for the country, as it offers citizens and businesses the expertise and multitude of new technological tools required in our digital age to innovate and prosper. In the following paragraph, for your convenience and to serve any business planning, we have attempted to codify the basic benefits that we expect, or more accurately, we have reasonable hopes of expecting in the coming years:
- Higher speeds in CGSoft’s applications, as well as in accessing and processing large volumes of data (big data), thus ensuring access to enterprise-level “low latency” Cloud services.
- Access to innovation and technological developments with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, the usage of which CGSoft’s Research and Development department is already aiming to achieve.
- Strengthening and developing the available scientific potential in the IT sector (IT engineers, programmers, etc.), necessary for the broader digital transformation of businesses. In fact, we estimate that this will be the greatest and most important benefit in the long run, as it is the necessary prerequisite for achieving all the others.
- Reduction of bureaucracy, through the long-awaited acceleration of digital transformation in the Public Sector, while maintaining the envisaged levels of cybersecurity and regulatory compliance and ultimately,
- Development of the local economy and new investment opportunities, both for Greek and foreign businesses that will transfer their data to Greece, as the latter will be able to function as a technological innovation hub for the wider region (Balkans and Eastern Europe).
Will we achieve all this? And how soon? Fortunately or unfortunately, the answer depends on the will and effort of all of us. In any case, it is absolutely certain that this initiative can benefit multiple businesses and organizations of all sizes operating in the country, if they take advantage of the capabilities of the cloud. And all of us who work at CGSoft are committed to helping you reap them.
In this context, it will be our pleasure to exchange opinions, thoughts and/or concerns about this important development and, of course, about our own planning for the future. It is our constant goal and a constant source of inspiration to collaborate with individuals who have deep knowledge of their subject and businesses that understand the importance of an investment in cutting-edge technology in a timely manner.
