AWS, Microsoft, Google Selected for NOAA's Cloud-Based Open Data Access Initiative; Dave Levy Quoted

Amazon Web Services, Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) have secured separate contacts to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provide environmental data sets for public access through the use of cloud computing platforms.

NOAA said Thursday its Big Data Project will apply commercial cloud storage offerings designed to host large amounts of data from various sources such as ships, radars, satellites and weather systems.

Contractors may charge for additional processing and compute services but are required to ensure free access, the agency noted.

“As customers gather more data about Earth, cloud offers new opportunities to understand our world and contribute to sustainable future, said Dave Levy, vice president of AWS’ federal government business and a 2019 Wash100 awardee.

“With initiatives like the Big Data Project, researchers are leveraging AWS services to lower the barriers to affordable, on demand, and scalable data analysis,” Levy added.

Lucas Joppa, chief environmental officer at Microsoft, noted the company aims help NOAA accelerate scientific discovery protect natural resources by democratizing data access.

The project falls under the Department of Commerce™s strategy to prevent extreme weather impacts via data-focused initiatives.

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