Microsoft sets up Shanghai subsidiary for Microsoft Open Technologies

Microsoft Open Technologies, a subsidiary of Microsoft dedicated to bridging Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies, opened a subsidiary in China on January 16 to advance investments on interoperability, open standards and open source. Microsoft Open Technologies (Shanghai) Company Limited will facilitate interactions between Microsoft proprietary development processes and the company’s open innovation efforts on services and devices, contributing to the open source community, and enabling open source software on Microsoft platforms such as Windows Azure.The move follows increased Chinese interest in technological innovation. A July 26, 2013, Gartner Research report titled “Global Data Point: Gartner, Hype Cycle for ICT in China, 2013,” states: “There is growing interest in China in the evolution of cloud technologies, open-source software, shared services, data center technologies such as the software-defined network, smart cities and green IT/sustainability.”

Jean Paoli, President, Microsoft Open Technologies said, “We are committed to fostering Chinese innovation. Our new subsidiary will offer more flexibility to iterate and release open source software created in China, participate in existing open source and open standards efforts and collaborate with the community of open source developers in China.”
 
Zhao Zhuping, Governer, Minhang District, Shanghai, extended his congratulations to MS Open Tech Shanghai and said, “The development of open source software and the open source community requires long-term commitment. We are delighted to see the investments and efforts that Microsoft has made to advance the local open source ecosystem, which will enhance interactions between the local and global open source communities and help cultivate local talents.”

Dr. Qiu Shanqin, Chairman of China Open Source Software Promotion Union (COPU) said, ”Microsoft Open Tech China will enhance the collaboration between Microsoft and China technology companies in the area of open technologies. It will elevate technology innovation, promote the development of software industry in China, and become a driver of economic development. Microsoft Open Tech will also help attract more talents, which is the foundation of any community."

Dr. Ya-Qin Zhang, Corporate Vice President and Chairman of Microsoft Asia-Pacific Research and Development Group, said, “China is a strategic market for Microsoft. Over the past few years, Microsoft has significantly expanded the scope of R&D in China to not only help build global products but also help address the needs of China customers, partners and government. The establishment of Microsoft Open Technologies Shanghai is another key milestone in this journey, providing more choices for customers and developers, and more technology innovation for businesses, governments, and consumers, in particular in the era of cloud, big data, mobility and social.”Microsoft Open Technologies works globally with many Microsoft product groups to ensure that open source technologies work well with Microsoft products, and that open standards are supported. The company plays an active role among standards-setting organisations, including initiatives for interoperable cloud services and the future of the open web. In many cases, the subsidiary submits open source prototypes to test a potential standard’s use and interoperability.
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