“Our culture [in the Kurdish region of Iraq] is not like some other Middle Eastern countries. Women are freer than the other parts of Iraq and surrounding countries.”
“Before Microsoft we used other providers for hosting… It was too difficult and most of our energy went to [customer] support. Now we are focused on the core of our business.”
Why Microsoft Partner Network?
Partnering with Microsoft is the best business decision that you can make. As a Microsoft partner, you leverage the broadest, most innovative and most integrated technologies - with the most credible hybrid cloud offering in the market. We cover the largest customer base and have nearly 40 years of deep investment in our channel.
Microsoft Azure serves nearly 6 million government users across more than 7,000 federal, state and local public sector customers.
Baghdad, Iraq
Finding opportunity in the face of conflict
A tech entrepreneur’s inspiring journey to become a market leader in Iraq
Meet Yad Rashid, an entrepreneur with a big dream.
Yad saw hope and opportunity, where most saw destruction.
Iraq’s constant state of conflict didn't deter his plan of starting Avesta, Group a technology consulting firm.
Yad’s success relied on adapting to the region’s unique challenges:
Scarcity of knowledgeable workers
Low IT awareness
Scarcity of knowledgeable workers
Low IT awareness
Limited access to internet
Low IT awareness
Limited access to internet
Rampant theft of computers and equipment
Limited access to internet
Rampant theft of computers and equipment
Ongoing safety concerns
Rampant theft of computers and equipment
Ongoing safety concerns
Despite the risks, Yad was devoted to realizing his dream in Iraq.
How?
Recognizing the
potential of locals
in the region
Educating his team with Microsoft Azure training and apprenticeships
Scaling his workforce with the help of Microsoft Azure
And by leveraging the Microsoft Partner Network to become profitable in the cloud
Through partnership and community, Yad built a strong foundation for success.
Avesta was ready to take on its biggest challenge…
Improving Iraq’s national security through cybersecurity
The Ministry of Defense faced frequent hacks from terrorist groups.
Avesta’s solution: Migrate the Ministry site to Azure
The result: A dramatic decline in site outages and improved security
The stepping stone to becoming the largest cloud provider in Iraq
Migrated the Ministry site to Azure
Migrated Iraq’s three most visited sites to Azure
Won Microsoft “Country Partner of the Year" in 2014 and 2015
Increased sales by 320% from FY15 to FY16
Avesta’s success extended beyond their balance sheet.
Empowered women to work in IT
Built a modern workforce
Empowered women to work in IT
Built a modern workforce
Established cybersecurity through the cloud
Built a modern workforce
Established cybersecurity through the cloud
Educated businesses about the possibilities of IT
Established cybersecurity through the cloud
Educated businesses about the possibilities of IT
Digitized the country
Educated businesses about the possibilities of IT
Digitized the country
Avesta is a shining example of community empowerment through digital transformation.
