Redmond, Washington — Two heavy-weights in computer software are joining forces in what could be a work-force wonder for Fargo-Moorhead. Attempting to widen its dominion, software monopolists Microsoft earlier this week announced that it is teaming up with long-term partner Hitachi Consulting to establish a technical development center in Fargo, N.D., to support the Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) IT team there.
Microsoft Business Solutions houses its Microsoft Dynamics team, which develops enterprise-resource planning (ERP) and customer-relationship management (CRM) applications, but there are plans to move it to its own building as it expands.
Under the agreement, Hitachi’s new Fargo center will furnish technical support for sourcing, program management, development, and testing for the Microsoft Business Solutions IT team, according to a Microsoft news release, which added that Hitachi will also look to develop new business as well as serve existing customers from the new facility.
“Hitachi Consulting described a compelling vision and plan for developing a near-shore strategy,” said Don Morton, the leader of Microsoft’s Fargo campus, in a press release. “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Hitachi Consulting to continue to provide near-shore IT value through lower costs, higher quality, and consistent delivery.”
Hitachi Consulting classified India and China as technology hubs, now adding Fargo, because it knows what kind of work force is waiting for it.
However, in a unique step towards creating employment and growth opportunity Hitachi Consulting executive Mike Gillis is unfolding even more golden economic news to a state already floating in surplus and low unemployment.
Gillis–Hitachi Consulting: “Fargo presents outstanding value, highly productive and educated people with sense of community and Midwestern values, there are lot of great colleges here.”
Senators, Congressmen are here to witness the big job announcement and pat North Dakota on the back for luring even more jobs and headlines to the state.
Governor Jack Dalrymple–(R) North Dakota: “We have a pro-business climate that is really playing a big role in our success and it is this success that is making us the top in the nation.”
Morton– Microsoft Fargo: “We always wondered how can you have a dream come true if you do not have a dream, and we have a big dream.”
The Hitachi team will commence operations with a small number of people working out of the Microsoft Fargo Campus. In the long term, Hitachi plans to hire up to 1,500 employees for the center and will move to a separate campus as the group expands.
Hitachi, a global management consulting and technology services company, has been a Microsoft partner for the past decade and has operations throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The Microsoft campus in Fargo currently employs about 1,700 people.