Microsoft Windows AzureCustomer Solution Case Study

Samsung is leveraging the latest developments in smart

cameras to enhance the way it delivers its firmware updates

OverviewCountry or Region: KoreaIndustry: Manufacturing

Customer ProfileHeadquartered in Korea, Samsung Electronics is a global leader in the most advanced digital media and digital convergence technologies.

Business SituationPeople increasingly seek to use their digital cameras more as visual communication tools. The rapid pace of change currently witnessed in this area demands nothing less than a service infrastructure which allows rapid firmware updates to customers around the world.

SolutionThat’s why Samsung chose Windows Azure to be its new firmware update server for its range of digital cameras.

Benefits 80%-reduced TCO Coping with traffic spikes Doubled the speed of service Improved service quality

“Microsoft’s cloud service has data centers all over the world, all dedicated to helping partners provide services to customers more promptly. To meet this need, we decided to establish a strategic partnership with Microsoft."Lee Jonghan, Senior Engineer, Digital Imaging Division, Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics, the top-tier brand in digital cameras, started providing its firmware update service through Windows Azure in September 2012. Samsung Electronics needs to delivers its products and customer service on a global scale, requiring global infrastructure. Windows Azure, which features servers positioned strategically around the world, was able to deliver on Samsung Electronics’ requirements. Samsung Electronics estimates that Windows Azure, a cloud service, reduces TCO by almost 80% over a commissioned service.

SituationSamsung Electronics, the top-tier brand in digital

cameras, started providing its firmware update service through Windows Azure in September 2012, a decision wholly coherent with its “SMART CAMERA” strategy. The reason Samsung Electronics decided to go with

Windows Azure for its firmware update service was to benefit from 'SMART’ provisioning. Doing so has helped boost both functionality and quality, meaning that customers can use its products wherever and whenever, giving a clear and appreciable demonstration of the value that 'SMART’ delivers. The way smart cameras open up the reality of desktop-free communications has provided the business case for Samsung Electronics to rethink the way it provisions its firmware updates for customers. To help customers update firmware more quickly

and conveniently, Samsung Electronics reviewed possible switch to a cloud server.

SolutionIn carrying out a feasibility study for cloud

adoption, Samsung Electronics focused on the restrictions posed by the conventional firmware update service environment in early 2012, and found substantial evidence of severe difficulties posed in flexible operations and new infrastructure development. For the purpose of achieving efficient service

operation while making up for the weaknesses of its then current setup, Samsung Electronics reviewed which service to adopt. The best choice for Samsung Electronics? Microsoft’s Windows Azure. Being a truly global company, Samsung Electronics

needs to delivers its products and customer service on a global scale, requiring global infrastructure. Windows Azure, which features servers positioned strategically around the world, was able to deliver on Samsung Electronics’ requirements. Another big plus for Samsung Electronics was the way Windows Azure enables flexible infrastructure operation, fast speed, efficient use of costs and its ease of new application

development. In short, it ensures efficient management. "We chose Windows Azure as its service can be

efficiently operated with less personnel, yet while still being delivered promptly to customers”, said Lee Jonghan, Senior Engineer on Development Team at Digital Imaging Division, Samsung Electronics.

Benefits80%-reduced TCOSamsung Electronics estimates that Windows Azure,

a cloud service, reduces TCO by almost 80% over a commissioned service. Coping with traffic spikesSamsung Electronics expected that customers will

place various extra demands on top of those for firmware updates as the company expands its main lineup with smart cameras featuring Wi-Fi or LTE communication capabilities. With Windows Azure, Samsung Electronics now can not only prevent servers being overloaded from traffic spikes, but can also provide the service across the world in a stable manner. Doubled the speed of serviceBy adopting Windows Azure with servers located in

the Americas, Europe and Asia, any customer using Samsung camera can be provided with a standardized service at what are effectively double the speeds. Improved service quality Ever since adopting Windows Azure, Samsung

Electronics has received periodic reports from Microsoft. The report is seen as a very valuable source of information for the analysis of all kinds of log information related to firmware downloads. Using this information for such analysis enables the company to solve issues before they sprout problems while still boosting operating efficiency in how it provides the service.

Microsoft Windows AzureFor more information, see the Microsoft website.

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For More InformationFor more information about Microsoft products and services, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. In Canada, call the Microsoft Canada Information Centre at (877) 568-2495. Customers in the United States and Canada who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can reach Microsoft text telephone (TTY/TDD) services at (800) 892-5234. Outside the 50 United States and Canada, please contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. To access information using the World Wide Web, go to:MSURL

For more information about Samsung Electronics’ products and services, visit the Web site at: www.samsung.com/sec

www.windowsazure.com/en-us

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