Microsoft Azure empowers researchers through the OCRE Framework

Microsoft joined the Open Clouds for Research Environments (OCRE) framework, offering the Azure cloud platform to European research and education institutions – without the need for public procurements or competitive tenders.  

OCRE is an EU funded project designed to simplify and streamline pan-European tender and establishing framework agreements, with cloud service providers that meet the specific needs of the research community. 

Our collective aim is to accelerate cloud adoption in the European research community by offering faster and easier access to powerful cloud-based services. 

Microsoft Azure provides universities and research institutions with a secure, scalable cloud infrastructure that allows them to accelerate discovery and innovation. Through open-source cloud technology they can achieve unparalleled time to insight, scale and price performance. Researchers can run mission-critical applications, high performance computing, data, and analytics with increased operational agility. 

“We’re delighted Microsoft will continue to support all our network providers to help researchers at over 10,000 research and education institutions across the continent take their research projects to new heights, with ease at an affordable price.” Karl Meyer, Product Management and Marketing Officer, GÉANT. 

Through OCRE, universities and research institutions in 40 countries can now benefit from: 

1. 1. Significant discounts across the Microsoft Azure service portfolio. 
   2. Access to a wealth of powerful tools designed to meet the specific requirements of the research community. 
   3. A centralised procurement body, available to GÉANT members. 
   4. Ready-to-use service agreements via the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) service catalogue.  

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