Microsoft to Open Support Center in East

Microsoft Corp., the nation’s largest computer software manufacturer, said it plans to open an East Coast product support services center in Charlotte, N.C.

The center will supplement technical assistance services previously offered only from the company’s Lincoln Plaza facility in Bellevue, Wash.

“Microsoft considers customer support to be of paramount importance,” said Joachim Kemoin, vice president of support services. The Charlotte facility “will improve the level of support for our East Coast customers.”

The LakePointe Office Park was chosen for the new center after a Microsoft team investigated nearly every major East Coast city, the company said in a statement.

Charlotte was picked because of its competitive real estate market, large student population and an employment training program funded by the state, officials said, adding that the company expected to recruit students.