Microsoft offers AP technology for public services in push for growth

Microsoft India on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh government to offer technologies to improve delivery of public services in the state. The MoU was signed during a breakfast meeting hosted by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for technology giant CEO Satya Nadella at the former's residence in Hyderabad on Monday.

As per the MoU, the IT giant will support the state government to build three proof-of-concept (POC) solutions to apply Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and Advanced Visualisation tool in the fields of education, agriculture and eCitizen services.

Nadella says the technology will help in achieving sustainable doubt-digit growth and better public services.

"These POC solutions will be built and deployed to address specific problems within each of the fields to achieve better outcomes for the State. It would use the lab method for data gathering, analysis, predictive analysis and policy planning."

Microsoft will train government's executives on its technologies such as cloud and mobility. It will organise an exclusive workshop for the government's key administrative officers for improving productivity by using Microsoft technologies, it said.

"Microsoft is committed to empowering every Indian and Indian business and government organisation to achieve more," said Anil Bhansali, MD, Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt Ltd.

"We are excited about leveraging the power of Microsoft cloud and mobile technologies for the success of Andhra Pradesh. We are deepening our partnership with the state to harness Microsoft's intelligent cloud and provide the government access to massive computing capability that can be used to transform people's lives and businesses, as well as to address some of the biggest societal challenges in the State and across the nation," Bansali said.

The agreement is part of the state government's efforts to improve the use of information and communications technology to drive digital inclusion and provide better citizen services.

In a press release issued by the state government said Microsoft India has also agreed to consider setting up a centre of excellence in Visakhapatnam.

The state government, in a press release issued later in the day, said government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft over the technology offer while it has requested Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to consider setting up a CoE in the coastal city.