If you’re unfamiliar with JEDI, it is the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure project. Microsoft was chosen to provide the Pentagon with cloud services in an overhaul of storage and computing infrastructure. Last week, the DoD requested 30 more days to reach a decision.
Moving Forward
While the JEDI contract remains up in the air, Microsoft is pressing on with plans to provide similar projects to other governments. According to a source, other governments are showing interest in the type of partnership Microsoft would have with the DoD. The postponement on that start of work for JEDI meant employees could focus on similar projects for other governments. The source tells CNBC that Microsoft will announce some of these initiatives later this year. Specifically, it will be a cloud service that governments around the world will be able to use. Microsoft did not respond directly to the claims, but said it continues to work with governments on cloud projects. “We’ve worked with governments around the world on a longstanding and reliable basis for four decades,” a spokesperson told CNBC. “We have government customers using our products to enhance their services with the latest in commercial innovations, deeply engage and connect with citizens in powerful ways, and empower government employees with the modern tools they need to be more efficient and effective, and to give them time back to focus on their agency mission.”
