Microsoft opens a Canadian development centre
In 2008, the world's leading software, services and Internet-technologies company chose Metro Vancouver as the site for its newest development centre. Microsoft Corp. considers the British Columbia city an ideal match for the company's progressive strategy of establishing such centres around the world.
"Success in the modern era increasingly depends on what's known as distributed development," says Phil Sorgen, President of Microsoft Canada. "Global companies such as ours must create the conditions needed for innovation to emanate from points around the world. This is part of the rationale behind the decision to set up a development centre in suburban Vancouver."
The new facility lies in Richmond, part of Metro Vancouver, one of the most ethnically diverse regions on the planet. Vancouver is a major North American gateway to Asia, and its 2.2 million residents include immigrants from dozens of countries.
At the centre, a 200-plus staff works on roughly half of Microsoft's many software offerings, including well-known applications such as Windows, Microsoft Office and Windows Mobile, along with other product lines such as Zune Media Player and Xbox 260. In addition, maintaining the diverse spirit that has come to define Vancouver, with many of the centre's employees having emigrated from Asia, South America and Europe, it is common to hear more than 15 languages in the office each day-the common one being English.
Diversity a valuable corporate asset
Mr. Sorgen believes that this diversity benefits Microsoft Canada in two principal ways: by accelerating the development of products and services that appeal to markets around the world, and by fostering innovation.
"A staff comprised of people from different countries is a tremendous asset for our development centre," he says. "Products that reflect the cultural characteristics of a particular market are more likely to sell well in that market. And bringing together such a diversity of world views generates opportunities and inspires fresh ways to interpret and solve global challenges."
When Microsoft began to scout locations for a new development centre staffed with experts from around the world, Vancouver's unique attributes made it an immediate choice. The city's many ethnic communities help immigrant employees feel at home, while a temperate climate, a thriving arts scene and a wonderful quality of life facilitate recruitment and foster creativity. Vancouver also boasts excellent public health care, educational and transportation systems. A short drive south leads to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington; a short drive north leads to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the world's top ski destinations. Thanks to this unusual combination of qualities, independent studies regularly rank Vancouver among the best cities in the world.
Canadian immigration policy brings out the best
According to Mr. Sorgen, Canada's commitment to attracting skilled workers to this country also played a role in Microsoft's decision.
"Canada recognizes that having a more skilled workforce, made up of people from Canada and from abroad, helps to develop the national economy," he says. "Microsoft and Canada also recognize the value that a globally diverse talent pool can spawn; new and innovative ideas and approaches are naturally going to emerge. There's no doubt that recruiting highly-skilled developers from around the world builds Canada's workforce and keeps us competitive as a nation, and allows Microsoft to stay at the cutting edge of new ideas."
Microsoft established a Canadian subsidiary in 1985 and maintains offices in Vancouver, Toronto and eight regional centres across the country. Microsoft Canada's approximately 1,000 workers provide national sales, marketing, consulting and support services in both French and English. The new facility may be the company's first development centre in this country, but Phil Sorgen hopes it will not be the last.
"Microsoft considers Canada to be a relatively large and untapped pool of exceptional talent," he says. "A great deal of cutting-edge research goes on in Canadian universities and within Canadian industry. It's no wonder that global technology companies such as Microsoft are keen to expand in this country."
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Prepared by the Invest in Canada Bureau, Spring 2009
