Alice Chambers |
Italian bank Nexi has partnered with Microsoft to use the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to digitise its platforms and offer digital payments to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe.
Nexi will use Azure to further digitise its platforms such as PayTech and data centres, whilst maintaining high standards of cybersecurity and data protection. The integration of payment functionalities onto the cloud will enable independent software vendors to better operate in the markets of interest.
Both companies intend to collaborate to drive the large-scale adoption of their joint solutions. For example, Microsoft will use Nexi as one of its digital payments providers for e-commerce in Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The bank’s payment solutions will also be incorporated into Microsoft Cloud services and solutions.
“We are proud to be able to support a global player like Microsoft in increasing local presence in strategic markets through our digital payment solutions,” said Paolo Bertoluzzo, CEO of the Nexi Group. It is a testimony of our ability to combine European scale, best-in-class solutions and in-depth knowledge of local contexts. We believe that the joint investment in this partnership will accelerate the digitisation of payments in Europe and our cloud transformation.”
Ralph Haupter, president of Microsoft in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “The innovation of digital payments enables simpler and more frictionless experiences for customers, benefiting financial institutions, businesses and consumers. Nexi will leverage Microsoft's secure cloud infrastructure and partner ecosystem to extend its digital payment solutions to European markets. In addition to the benefits for end users, I see the potential of this spread to foster innovation in the industry, creating new opportunities for independent software vendors and start-ups. Microsoft will also benefit from Nexi capabilities and solutions for its e-commerce in several European markets.”