Schneider Electric participates in Microsoft’s CityNext initiative

For the first time in history, more than 50 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas and nearly 70 percent of people will live in cities by 2050. This ongoing urban migration creates unprecedented opportunities, but also intensifies problems such as aging infrastructure, hazards to public health and safety, pollution, crime and traffic. Through the CityNext initiative,  Microsoft and Schneider Electric will help leaders create smarter cities by combining the power of technology with innovative ideas to connect  governments, businesses and citizens with city services that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, foster a more sustainable environment and cultivate communities where people thrive.

“Our participation in Microsoft CityNext demonstrates our belief that collaboration among industry players is essential to help cities become more efficient, livable and sustainable,” said Charbel Aoun, Senior Vice President for Smart Cities, Schneider Electric. “The combination of Microsoft solutions with our broad portfolio of solutions, software and services will help cities improve the efficiency of their urban infrastructures, thus ensuring better public services and enabling new, innovative services for the city and its people. Making cities smarter requires a profound transformation of existing models; tackling it collectively, through the involvement of citizens and city officials, local and global businesses, as well as academia, makes it real.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Schneider Electric on CityNext. Microsoft prioritizes putting people and partners first in our initiatives and CityNext is no different,” said Laura Ipsen, corporate vice president Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector. “Even though cities are feeling the strain from economic challenges, we believe a new era of innovation will create opportunities for people to utilize technology to accomplish what they never thought possible. We’re inspired by our diverse partner ecosystem and know that working together we can help cities realize their full potential.”

Schneider Electric has worked with more than 200 city projects across the world in order to create smarter, more sustainable cities.