The cloud will offer enterprise-grade reliability and performance with data residency for its users
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft is to deliver its intelligent cloud from two new data centres in Noway’s Stavanger region and Oslo.
Microsoft Cloud, which comprises of Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and Dynamics 365, will offer enterprise-grade reliability and performance from the new data centre locations.
“Over a billion customers around the world trust the intelligent Microsoft Cloud to provide a platform to help transform their businesses,” said Jason Zander, executive vice president for Microsoft Azure. “By delivering Microsoft Cloud from new data centre regions in Norway, organisations will be empowered through cloud-scale innovation while meeting their data residency, security and compliance needs.”
International energy company Equinor has chosen the Microsoft Cloud in Norway to enable its digital transformation and drive cloud-enabled innovation. The partnership supports Equinor’s digital journey through a seven-year consumption and development agreement.
“Equinor plays a central role in stimulating innovation and advancement of the Norwegian economy, and we are deeply honoured to be partnering with them to help take their business into its next stage of growth through the intelligent Microsoft Cloud,” said Kimberly Lein-Mathisen, general manager, Microsoft Norway. “By bringing these new data centres online in Norway, we are also very pleased to be able to pave the way for growth and transformation of many other businesses and organisations in Norway, whether they be large enterprises, government bodies, or any of the 200,000 small and medium-size businesses that create Norway’s thriving economy.”
The delivery of cloud services from Norway expands on Microsoft’s existing investments having operated in the country since 1990 with nearly 600 people working in offices in Lysaker, Oslo, Trondheim and Tromsø across sales, marketing and development.
“The Norwegian government is deeply committed to helping Norway thrive as a hub for digital innovation,” said Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, Norwegian minister of Trade and Industry. “Norway needs new industries that create jobs and boost economic growth. In February 2018 the Norwegian government released its data centre strategy ‘Powered by Nature,’ establishing that attracting data centres and international investments is an important part of our industrial policy. Therefore, we are very pleased to see Microsoft’s commitment to our country with this new data centre. We believe that data centres and cloud services will help ensure the competitiveness and productivity of Norwegian businesses and government institutions and have a positive impact on our responsibility to our citizens to create an inclusive working life, to the environment, and to our economic development and job growth.”