Microsoft to open R&D hub in Athens

Microsoft will create a robotic process automation (RPA) development center in Athens, spokesman Charles Lamanna said last week in a teleconference with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis following the information technology giant's recent acquisition of Greek-owned software company Softomotive.

"Our goal and plan is to have an RPA development hub inside of Greece, in Athens, seeded with the Softomotive team there," Lamanna told the teleconference, which also saw the participation of the founders of Softomotive, fellow Greek company Think Silicon and the US giant Applied Materials that acquired it last month.

Lamanna made no secret of his company's excitement about Microsoft's arrival in Greece: "That's a big step for Microsoft. This is the first real research and development presence we'll have in the country. The fact that's coming from Softomotive gives us all the...