Microsoft Philanthropies announces availability of Azure services for NGOs in Zambia

As part of its Philanthropies division and its ‘Modern Non-profit’ campaign, Microsoft has announced that it will be making Microsoft Azure – the company’s open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform – available to eligible non-profit and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Qualifying NGO’s will receive credits for Microsoft’s Azure services that can be renewed annually. After credits run out, the subscription will convert into the commercially available ‘pay as you go’ offer and rates are available here.

This forms part of Microsoft’s ‘Public Cloud for Good’ initiative, through which it will donate $1 billion in cloud computing resources over the next three years to 70,000 non-profits and NGOs worldwide.The target is to have 10,000 NGO’s in Sub-Saharan Africa using these resources within the next three years.

Microsoft East Africa Country Manager, Sebuh Haileleul said that the event is one of the many interventions aimed to inspire Executive Directors to embrace the use of ICT as one of the management strategies.

“Today is yet another indication that Microsoft is steadfast on the directive to empower digital transformationto be integrated into management strategiesacross business operations in our world today. Microsoft’s Azure platform will equip NGOs to maximize their operations potential and skills of their most valuable asset, their people,” he said.

Microsoft Azure’s cloud services help organisations accelerate innovation with integrated intelligence that powers insights and decision-making, supports a broad selection of operating systems, and provides industry-leading security.

Microsoft also offers an industry-leading donation program which includes free/discounted services including Office 365, Dynamics CRM Online, Enterprise Mobility + Security Suite, Power BI and more. More details here.

Through this campaign, NGOs can access Microsoft data centres around the world, as well as its computing and storage power, to develop and run their applications and to manage relationships with donors, volunteers and beneficiaries. They can also manage all of their devices, applications and data on a cross-platform basis.

With Azure coming online for non-profits, Microsoft now offers the most comprehensive and industry-leading donations programme, providing cloud services that empower non-profit organisations to digitally transform their business, and transform the world.

For the full list of cloud products available for free/at discount for qualifying non-profits, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/nonprofits.

Source: KPR Consulting