Hong Kong, March 4, 2016 – Following 25 years of technological innovation and transformation, Microsoft celebrates its 25th anniversary in Hong Kong and a brand new office opening. The company continues its growing investment in Hong Kong with a newly designed office and a brand new Microsoft Experience Center. Microsoft first expanded its presence to Hong Kong in 1991, and since then has revolutionized the computing experience, making technology more accessible than ever to both enterprises and consumers. Microsoft Hong Kong moved into Cyberport in 2002 and the new Microsoft office remains within the heart of Cyberport, where the company continues to accelerate digital transformation by creating more personal computing, reinventing productivity and building the intelligent cloud platform.
To commemorate the occasion, the Honourable Nicholas W. Yang, JP, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ir Allen Yeung, Government Chief Information Officer, Mr. Paul Chow, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Honourable Charles Mok, JP, Legislative Councillor, and Mrs Agnes Mak, MH, JP, Executive Director of Hong Kong Productivity Council were invited as honored guests to officiate at the opening ceremony.
“2016 marks the 25th Anniversary of Microsoft in Hong Kong. We are proud to have achieved many important milestones that have sparked the continuous growth of Hong Kong through technology and innovation during this time. We see a clear path before us. Our mission is to empower people and businesses to achieve more,” said Horace Chow, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong.
“Moving into a new chapter, we are stepping up our investment in Hong Kong by opening a new office with a brand new Microsoft Experience Center. This is a great showcase of a modern workplace, and of our close collaboration with local partners to drive continued innovation in this cloud-first, mobile-first world. It is also testimony to our strong commitment in driving the development of the local ICT industry and building Hong Kong as a hub of innovation,” added Mr. Chow.
Unlike a traditional office, the new Microsoft office is more like a laboratory and a springboard from which to give an opportunity to break out of boxes and build communities. The new office design enhances innovation and productivity, provides function-based workplaces to meet diversified needs, pays attention to human factors and provides a showcase for the Microsoft brand and technologies. The design of the new Microsoft Experience Center aims to nurture collaboration with customers and partners, including local startups, through a great showcase of joint innovations. From day one, more than 50 solutions and demos, including the latest devices of different form factors and screen sizes, have already been built into the Microsoft Experience Center, with more to come.
Microsoft continues to drive digital transformation through cloud
Today, Microsoft’s strategy is to build best-in-class platforms and productivity services for a mobile-first, cloud-first world. The recent FY16 Q2 earnings revealed by Microsoft Corp. showed continued strong cloud momentum with over US$9.4 billion in annualized revenue run rate, with a goal of reaching US$20 billion in fiscal year 2018. In Hong Kong, the cloud mix in Microsoft’s revenue today is 30% and this number is expected to increase to more than 40% by the end of the fiscal year. With increasing demand for cloud computing, Microsoft Hong Kong has had drastic growth year-over-year in cloud revenue for both enterprise and SMB markets. More than 30% of its SME customers in Hong Kong are modernized with Microsoft Cloud and over 60,000 users in local education institutions are on Office 365. Also, hybrid cloud adoption continues to increase as more businesses in Hong Kong look to cloud for an open, flexible, scalable IT infrastructure while keeping their existing datacenter investments.
Microsoft grows with Hong Kong throughout 25 years of innovation
The past two-and-a-half decades represent the era from PC to Internet to Cloud, and Microsoft has been supporting Hong Kong every step along the way with its technology advancement. The 1990’s saw an economic uptake, and Microsoft has supported small and large enterprises with different generations of productivity and instant communication software, such as Microsoft Office and Messenger, which helped increase productivity, reinvent communication and foster cross-border businesses. The company also expanded into the consumer market, including gaining leadership in the gaming market with Xbox and bringing digital lifestyles for everyone. In the 2010’s, Microsoft introduced a new age in cloud productivity for businesses with the release of Office 365. In 2012, Microsoft pioneered breakthroughs in the 2-in-1 tablet industry with its first-ever Surface. In 2015, Microsoft continued its expansion into cloud and personal computing with the launch of Windows 10, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book and Office 2016 as the latest addition to Office 365.
Microsoft has helped empower Hong Kong’s growth and competitiveness through three key initiatives: innovating for growth, empowering youth and building the next-generation city. Three joint labs were established with local universities, driving more than 50 projects and supporting 217 internships. Microsoft has also supported over 400 startups under Microsoft BizSpark and Microsoft Venture Accelerator.
Microsoft recognizes the importance of education and empowerment at an early age. HK$11.5 million has been invested through YouthSpark to train and cultivate young talent. The investment comes in the form of cash, workshops and software donations. In 2015 and 2016 to date, more than 8,700 students participated in activities that encouraged them to code.
Microsoft is also committed to harnessing the power of IT to transform the operations of nonprofits. In the past decade, Microsoft has donated HK$225 million in software to equip local nonprofits.
And now, 25 years on and well established as a responsible corporate citizen, Microsoft remains strong in its commitment to empowering Hong Kong’s people and businesses to achieve more through technology and innovation.
Please click here for download Microsoft Hong Kong 25th Anniversary Milestones and click here for download Microsoft Hong Kong’s top 10 facts.
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About Microsoft
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 Hong Kong was established in 1991.
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