[News] New Microsoft Data Centers set to benefit New Zealanders

New Zealand is set to reap the benefits from having access to two new Australia-based data centres which have now been added to the Microsoft global cloud network.

Microsoft’s Global Vice President for Cloud & Enterprise, Scott Guthrie, joined Pip Marlow, Managing Director for Microsoft Australia, in officially announcing the opening of the company’s newest Azure Geography (Geo) in Australia at the TechEd event in Sydney yesterday.

The new service includes two geo-redundant sub regions in NSW and Victoria, which Guthrie said will lower latency rates and address data sovereignty issues for Microsoft’s Australasian customers and partners who are embracing cloud computing.

“From today, our goal is to create Australasia’s best and most complete cloud, enabled by world class technology and a world class cloud ecosystem to drive business model transformation, better manage variable workloads and deliver new digital services and experiences to customers and employees,” Mr Guthrie said.

This newest Azure Geography takes the total number of regions to 19 globally, giving Microsoft enhanced capabilities to seamlessly deliver upon customers’ needs wherever they are in the world.

Microsoft New Zealand’s Managing Director, Paul Muckleston, says that the opening of the Azure Geo in this region reflects Microsoft’s passion to deliver innovative solutions to fuel growth, drive efficiencies and help people do more and achieve more.

“The cloud gives you the ability to be more agile both from an IT delivery point of view and more broadly with your business. This represents a sea change in enterprise IT, as it gives you the chance to focus more on innovation and less on maintenance,” says Muckleston.

“With the establishment of these Microsoft data centres serving the Australasian market, Kiwi business owners will also have the comfort of knowing that their data is located in this region of the world, which gives a great level of comfort and confidence in the cloud.”

Muckleston says various factors were driving customer adoption of Microsoft Azure, led by a passion to deliver innovative solutions to fuel growth, drive efficiencies and enable people.

“Microsoft Azure frees up their teams to focus on strategic, value added projects because they can leave Microsoft to manage what’s under the hood,” says Muckleston.

“CIOs also like having the choice of a hybrid cloud approach with Microsoft. This means they can integrate and continue to leverage their on premise investments while moving to the cloud. With the choice of public or private cloud too, our on-ramp is as gentle or steep as our customers desire.”

A select group of Kiwi tech companies have already begun using the new Microsoft Azure Geo on a private preview to drive innovation within their own organisations while delivering better outcomes for their customers.

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