A mere two weeks after the global launch of its three latest software products, Microsoft is engulfing Jordan into its new technological wave, choosing it to be one of the first Middle Eastern countries to host its 2008 Server & Tools launch. In an exclusive interview, Jordan Business sat down with Joseph Landes, the worldwide director of Windows Server Product Management, to discuss Microsoft’s impact on the Kingdom and the region as a whole.

As the world’s leading software manufacturer, Microsoft’s reputation precedes itself. Yet, the corporate giant continues to set milestones with the advent of the largest enterprise and business launch in its 33-year history. Under the thematic banner of Heroes Happen Here, 200 worldwide events have been organized to mark the introduction of Microsoft’s latest versions of Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008. As one of the first Middle Eastern countries to carry the Heroes Happen Here baton, Jordanian businessmen and information technology (IT) professionals are set to gain traction from the opportunity to be among the first in the region to capitalize on Microsoft’s newest array of software solutions.   

Posited as a key milestone and primer for sustainable business development, the three flagship software programs have been designed to create the most secure, dynamic and malleable platform for businesses across the globe. Thus, as in the past, Microsoft’s recent innovations have been in line with Jordan’s vision to develop a viable IT sector, a journey the country has embarked on in earnest since His Majesty King Abdullah II ascended the throne in 1999. Indeed, for nearly a decade, Microsoft has worked closely with the country’s institutions to turn these towering ambitions into concrete realities. To this end, the company’s eminent architect, Bill Gates, has met frequently with the King over the years to discuss areas of cooperation - a relationship that manifested itself in the signing of a strategic agreement with the Jordan Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in 2003. This historic accord rendered Microsoft the first multinational technology corporation to establish itself in the Kingdom, and it has since spread its digital tentacles through the public sector, providing everything from technical support and training to software licenses and IT restructuring.

From Jordanian ministries and public school, to offices and residences the world over, Microsoft’s founder can rest knowing that his vision to “get a workstation running our software onto every desk and eventually in every home” is well on its way, even within a small desert Kingdom thousands of miles away. In fact, as the most advanced operating system to be created by the corporate giant, it won’t take long before Jordanian businesses and IT professionals learn the benefits to be accrued through the use of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Tools. By catering to everyday commercial needs, traditionally hinged on lowering operating costs, enhancing productivity and security, as well as providing solid accessibility, the latest product slew is a sure winner.

While busy delivering the keynote address at the Heroes Happen Here launch in Jordan, Joseph Landes, Microsoft’s worldwide director of Windows Server Product Management, took some time to discuss a variety of issues in an exclusive interview with Jordan Business. With topics ranging from software security and piracy concerns to the country’s own consolidated efforts to integrate technology into its commercial arena,  Landes proves that Microsoft aims to change the way people do business.

JB:  With businesses varying in size, purposes and complexities, what kind of organizations do Microsoft’s latest products benefit specifically, and who, in your opinion, will be able to make use of their full potential?
JL: Quite frankly, businesses of all sizes can take advantage of the products that we are offering into the marketplace with this set of important releases. In particular, Windows Server 2008 is really quite an important release, both for large businesses and smaller organizations. With this release, we continue to make an important down-payment on enabling IT professionals and developers across the IT lifecycle to manage complexity in the IT environment, enabling them to achieve greater agility. We want to ensure that information is protected and access is controlled. Also, Microsoft wants to provide solutions that advance businesses and prepare them for growth and change, whilst also amplifying the impact of people by providing the best software and tools for their role. This is what we call Dynamic IT, Microsoft’s initiative to help customers of all sizes reach their goals through optimized people, processes, and technology.

JB: One of the major concerns when it comes to application platforms in the business world is that of security, especially with new products that sometimes contain bugs. What security technology has Microsoft integrated into its latest line of products to help resolve past issues, and how has the company sought to perfect the testing process before a product’s final release?
JL: Security is certainly a topic we take very seriously at Microsoft, and it is really something that every employee puts front and center. This set of releases continues our focus on providing platforms and tools that users can rely on to run their most demanding, mission-critical workloads on. We have, therefore, ensured that the products are secure out of the box, are always available, and are ready to meet even the most stringent government and industry regulations. Indeed, the critical foundation for our enterprise products is being a secure and trusted platform. Thus, as a company, Microsoft is laser-focused on security as our first priority; you can rely on our technologies and tools to run your business.

JB: As Web and wireless technologies have become increasingly dominant in today’s world, how has Microsoft attempted to introduce new Web and wireless-enabled applications in its latest products?
JL: Another major investment with these products is around the area of Web and developer productivity. Businesses of all sizes are continuing to realize that having a great Web experience is critical to their success. With this in mind, helping designers and developers work together to create and code these next-generation Web experiences is the first step. Also, having the best platform to run these Web experiences, whether you are hosting your own Web site or using a hoster’s services, is a key area of investment with this important release. We are redefining Rich Internet Applications with design, development, deployment, and end-user tools and experiences that are the most complete in the industry.

JB: In an increasingly globalized world, businesses have invested heavily in technologies and applications that are tailored to their specific needs and respective regional environments. To what extent do Microsoft’s latest products take into consideration the business environment of the Arab world?
JL: Microsoft products are built with extensibility and interoperability in mind. Basically, they provide building blocks where IT professionals, developers and regional partners are given the full ability to meet and exceed local business requirements. Of course, in all Microsoft products, we’ve ensured the elimination of barriers in terms of both language and culture, as ensuring that IT professionals around the world have favorable experiences using our products is very important to the Microsoft team. One of the ways we do this is by empowering a rich community infrastructure across the globe. This allows local Arab technology experts and user groups to reach out and help IT professionals become more familiar with new products and technologies.  

JB: To what extent have the lack of implemented piracy and intellectual property laws made it difficult for a software giant like Microsoft to do business in countries such as Jordan, Egypt and the UAE?
JL: The Government of Jordan has been one of the regional governments that understand the benefits of original software and solid intellectual property laws on the country’s local economy, particularly the local software economy (LSE), and it has been leading by example.  As a result, the National Library has focused its efforts on countering piracy in all of its forms. In the software arena, it cooperates with global organizations such as the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which also includes companies like IBM, AutoDesk, Apple, Adobe, Borland, Computer Associates, SAP and Symantec, just to name a few.
Really, the more important question lies in the effect of piracy on local innovation, and I believe that the government should encourage local intellectual property creators to join the Business Software Alliance because they stand the chance to be hurt the most.

JB: His Majesty King Abdullah II has long declared his aspirations to transform Jordan into an IT hub in the region, and Microsoft has consistently supported this vision. However, based on your assessment of the current state(s) of the IT sector, both in Jordan and comparatively in the region, how far along the trail are we?
JL: It’s important for planners and strategists to understand the landscape of their potential market. While there will always be a need for services and outsourcing, realizing who the potential regional competitors are is, in itself, very important. Additionally, the ability to identify in which niche services or outsourcing areas Jordan can provide distinguishable value is, in my opinion, a key to success. For example, we’ve seen some strong innovation in the sphere of education, and we believe one of the main reasons for the success in providing this differentiator comes from the country’s focus on educating its young populace through initiatives such as the Jordan Education Initiative and the Education Reform for a Knowledge Economy program.

As a company, and as evident in the capabilities provided by our recently released Server Operating System Windows Server 2008, we are focusing on empowering people and companies to provide today and tomorrow’s software and services.
    
JB: Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers Forum Arabia has sought to bring together innovative teachers with policymakers in the region in order to develop the best teaching and learning tools. Recently, a World Bank report has revealed that education in the Arab world is falling behind other regions, with only Jordan and Kuwait coming out on top of the rankings. Do you feel technology can play a vital role in developing education in the region, especially in rural areas?
JL: We are very proud to participate in educational reform efforts. The answer to your question lies in different areas. Firstly, the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) report showed improved scoring for students of the Jordan Education Initiative’s Discovery Schools in the areas of mathematics, science, and reading. Also, technology enables greater reach and more ubiquitous access, better collaboration, and sharing. This is a great recipe, not only for excellent education, but also for fostering a better sense of community - one of the best sources of learning. For these reasons, Microsoft is delivering solutions in the areas of search, advanced analytics, and collaboration that can be great enablers of education.

JB: Jordan is one country that has striven to develop its e-government capabilities. However, in a country with very low (albeit rising) Internet penetration, do you feel that e-government facilities can make an impact? Also, a strategic partnership between Microsoft and the Jordan Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, first established in 2003, has recently been renewed until 2009. The partnership will see Microsoft helping to provide software licenses, training and technical support to various governmental departments. Since the signing of the initial agreement, do you feel that realities on the ground in the country’s public sector have changed with regards to technical know-how and facilitation?
JL: While the most visible and impactful part of e-government is government-to-citizen (G2C) interaction, it is important to understand that e-government has two other pillars that may be less visible, but still equally vital: government-to-government (G2G) and government-to-business (G2B). Within these veins, Microsoft has been engaged in providing not only licenses and training, but also a platform for government service delivery, in all its shapes and forms. The platform innovations spring from our extensive dealings and collaborations with governments and businesses worldwide, allowing us to provide the needed platform for today and tomorrow’s needs.

With regards to government-to-citizen services, access to technology is a key issue. This continues to be the focus of the Jordanian government, as exemplified through initiatives such as the PC for Every Student and the support for the concept of Shared Access, which aims to provide access to technology through the country’s schools and post office locations. Microsoft continues to support these initiatives by providing specifically tailored versions of its software at reduced prices. These steps all form part of Microsoft’s Partnership for Technology Access program which, in turn, is part of our Unlimited Potential initiative.

JB: The latest quarterly report for 2007 by Business Monitor International (BMI) revealed that Egypt’s IT service sector, which includes business processing outsourcing (BPO), will increase to $379 million in 2011. Jordan, with its unique set of comparative advantages, is arguably second to Egypt in the region in outsourcing. Is this an area that Microsoft has plans to invest in, either in Jordan or the region more generally? If so, how soon will call and BPO centers servicing Microsoft clients take root?
JL: Microsoft’s strategy is to focus on its partner ecosystem, defined as the companies who build solutions and deliver value-added services on top of the Microsoft platform. This has proven to be a very successful course of action; statistics estimate that for each $1 of revenue that Microsoft makes, its partner ecosystem generates around $7, on a worldwide average. In Jordan, that ratio is even higher and is estimated at around $1 to $15 according to a recent report by International Data Corporation (IDC). Therefore, our continued focus will be on building our partners’ abilities and capacity, which we believe would have a greater impact on local economies than outsourcing some of our business processes or operations.

JB: As part of the new plans to establish the iPark at the El Hassan Science City here in Amman, Microsoft has voiced interest in setting up an incubator for research and business development. What benefits does Microsoft believe it can accrue from such a step? What does it mean to offer the students and faculty at the El Hassan Science City specifically, and what value-added can it contribute to Jordan’s IT sector more generally?
JL: Microsoft is in the process of setting up its Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) at the Royal Scientific Society, which is part of the new El Hassan Science City. The MIC will be a facility providing a comprehensive set of programs and services to enable partners, and the community at large, to harness the innovations in Microsoft’s platform and tools. This, we hope, would lead to increasing the capacity of the local software economy.

Your Potential. Our Passion
The theme of Heroes Happen Here, especially when posited against the multinational’s logo of “Your Potential. Our Passion,” reveals the “enabler” status Microsoft perceives for itself. While the corporate giant strives to invent innovative and dynamic solutions for today’s business professionals, amidst a cut-throat software market, its launch events are geared to highlight and celebrate what can be done with the platforms provided. By being one of the first in the region to gain an insight into the possibilities and opportunities provided by the new 2008 Windows Server and Tools, the encouraged mentality during the Jordanian launch and the others across five continents is that opportunities are what you make of them. For a country
still trying to secure a foothold within the shifting sands of ongoing technological developments, Microsoft’s recent launch provides Jordan with yet another opportunity to hop on the bandwagon.