Microsoft confirms massive job layoffs to refocus on cloud services

One of the biggest institutions in the tech industry today, Microsoft, announced thousands of job cuts as it shifts its focus to improving the company’s cloud service product, Azure.

According to a CNBC report, the 10-percent (over 3,000 jobs) overhaul mostly involves its sales force, as Microsoft gears up to reorganize its business model before the year ends.

“Microsoft is implementing changes to better serve our customers and partners,” a Microsoft spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.

“Today, we are taking steps to notify some employees that their jobs are under consideration or that their positions will be eliminated,” the representative shared.

“Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time to time, re-deployment in others.”

Furthermore, the report indicated that 75 percent of the layoffs will come from workers outside the United States.

The Azure service, meanwhile, has reportedly reached a 93-percent sales growth last quarter, as Microsoft aims to further improve the number.

Microsoft is estimated to have 71,000 active employees in the US and 121,000 employees around the globe.   Khristian Ibarrola /ra

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