Microsoft opens Seoul tech center
Microsoft Korea opened its Technology Center Seoul on Monday, where the company
will help corporate clients design office solutions that best suit their business.
Microsoft has similar centers overseas, but this is its first in Korea. In the past, Korean
companies had to fly overseas to view their options and receive consultation on devising
office program solutions that fit their individual needs.
“Digital transformation frequently comes up as an important task for every corporate client,
but in reality a lot of them still find the concept vague,” said Kwon Oh-sung, a Microsoft
Korea director that oversees the Technology Center. “Here we can design architecture,
show solutions and prove effectiveness fit for each client of different industries and needs.”
The company held a press event on Monday to introduce the new center and examples of IT
solutions it has provided to clients.
Microsoft’s business solutions use technologies like the cloud and artificial intelligence.
For example, one tool it developed for retail stores has a camera that can detect customers’
gender, age and facial expressions. The software immediately analyzes this to show
customers’ demographics and their facial expressions when they enter and leave a store.
Another example was the JFK Files, an online database Microsoft made of U.S. National Archives
documents on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Keywords searched on the
website can be browsed not only through typed documents but also handwritten words and
photos. For example, the word Oswald will show results in documents, jotted notes and
a photo of Lee Harvey Oswald.
“The Microsoft Technology Center is part of the company’s investments in the Korean market,
following the Cyber Security Center and Data Center,” said Vice President Chang Hong-kook.