Asia Express - Data Communications
Microsoft to Build Software and Services Excellence Center for Cloud Computing in Taiwan
July 16, 2010
Taiwan's MOEA (Ministry of Economic Affairs) has approved the establishment of the Software and Services Excellence Center, first proposed by Microsoft at the end of 2009, according to a July 16, 2010 report by Commercial Times of Taiwan. The center is envisaged to focus on helping Taiwanese software and hardware manufacturers develop cloud computing-related technologies. It is reported that Microsoft will receive approximately NT$100 million (US$3.1 million; US$1=NT$32.1) in subsidy from the MOEA, while the company plans to invest NT$300 million (US$9.3 million) over three years in this project. The Software and Services Excellence Center in Taiwan is reportedly Microsoft's first R&D center for cloud computing servers outside the United States. Starting from 2000, Microsoft has established four R&D centers in Taiwan, including Microsoft Technology Center, Microsoft Innovation Center, and Hardware Innovation Center.