Internet2 expands staff, partners with Microsoft

Internet2 is expanding both its staff and its partnership base by more than 20 people, as well as striking a deal with tech-giant Microsoft. The Ann Arbor-based member-owned technology community provides a collaborative environment for U.S. research and education organizations to solve common technology challenges, and to develop innovative solutions. Last month it struck a deal with Microsoft to access the company's cloud services that should enable university researchers faster and more robust computing options for big-data projects. Students, staff and researchers at college campuses throughout the nation are expected to have faster and more secure connections from the partnership's new peering arrangement between Microsoft and Internet2. It will enable improved access to infrastructure and application services that support virtual learning environments and large-scale data intensive research projects. "As we start doing this on a broader basis, that opens the door to a lot of opportunities," says Khalil Yazdi, CIO in residence at Internet2. He adds, "It's more than just making effective and better connections. It's about the capacity to do more and how we expand that platform." Internet2 has also been expanding its staff. The organization now employs 90 people, including 43 in Ann Arbor. It has hired 22 people over the last year, with seven of those in Ann Arbor. It currently has 10 open positions, which can be found here. Source: Khalil Yazdi, CIO in residence at Internet2 Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.