Companies regularly merge businesses to reap the benefits they can offer one another. As a business owner, you’re likely no stranger to this, and neither is Microsoft since they’ve recently formed a partnership with Lumen Technologies. Microsoft partnered with Lumen to meet the ever-growing demand for its data centers, and businesses like yours will reap the rewards. Here’s how.
Microsoft’s Improved Data Centers
Once known as CenturyLink, Lumen is a telecommunications company that offers user-friendly network services and solutions to governments, businesses, and more. It connects people, apps, and data effortlessly and securely with the help of cloud solutions and AI-fueled tech. But Microsoft has taken an interest in Lumen’s Private Connectivity Fabric, a custom network.
During Microsoft’s announcement about the collaboration, the company explained that this modular network fabric with AI-ready fiber allows them to install new fiber routes, where physical fiber optic cables run to connect system users with telecommunications services. These new routes improve the connection between Microsoft’s data centers and increase data capacities for speed and stability.
Lumen Uses the Microsoft Cloud for Infrastructure Reduction
When Microsoft partnered with Lumen, the latter also had a lot to gain. The partnership meant Lumen could use Microsoft’s cloud services for a digital transformation that would see the company rely less on physical equipment and more on cloud-based data centers.
For instance, before the merger, Lumen used a legacy system to perform daily tasks, an outdated system lacking support for improvements. They also relied on silos to protect sensitive information and resources. However, it slowed production, barred growth, and contributed to high IT costs.
Lumen can transition some of its workloads to Microsoft Azure, reducing the need for hardware and lowering technology costs. According to Lumen, they expect a $20 million decrease in technology costs over the next year. They also plan to utilize Microsoft Entra solutions for data safety and security.
What Does This Merger Mean for Your Company?
Now that we know how these two companies benefit from the merger after Microsoft partnered with Lumen, how do these efforts help business customers like you?
Lumen offers services to all sorts of customers, from residential types and small businesses to enterprises that need network services. However, suppose Lumen data storage centers are faulty and prone to security leaks or work slowly because of outdated technology. In that case, this affects Lumen customers’ businesses as well.
In other words, digital transformation is a cost-effective, safer, and faster solution for Lumen and all companies that rely on Lumen services. Similarly, Microsoft users will also see better speed and performance from the Microsoft data centers, which means they can process, upload, download, and send data with little latency and downtime.
As the digital world continues to rely more on artificial intelligence with every passing year, this merger, in which Microsoft partnered with Lumen, is on the right track. It promises to boost and support AI workloads while improving flexibility, security, and more!
