Microsoft To Launch Azure and Office 365 Cloud Services From the UK

Microsoft has announced plans to offer its cloud services from the UK. Microsoft Azure and Office 365 will be generally available from local UK-based data centers in late 2016, with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online following shortly thereafter.

The new local Microsoft cloud regions will enable data residency for customers in the UK, allowing data to be replicated within the UK for backup and recovery, reduced network distance and lower latency. In addition to Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics CRM Online, Microsoft will offer Azure ExpressRoute to provide customers with the option of a private connection to the cloud.

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Crown Copyright “Microsoft’s plans to offer highly secure, UK-based cloud services will clearly support the MOD in our transformation journey,” said Mike Stone, chief digital and information officer, UK Ministry of Defense.

Microsoft also announced completion of the latest phase of expansion for its data center facilities in Ireland and the Netherlands, both of which serve as cloud hosting serviceshubs for European customers. The company’s data center facility in Middenmeer, the Netherlands, is now operational.

“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more,” said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer (CEO) of Microsoft. “By expanding our data center regions in the UK, Netherlands and Ireland we aim to give local businesses and organizations of all sizes the transformative technology they need to seize new global growth.”

Ministry of Defense

UK customers already utilizing Microsoft’s cloud services, whether it’s Azure, Office 365 or Dynamics CRM Online, include thousands of UK businesses and organizations – such as Confused.com, Glasgow City Council, Marks & Spencer, Natural Resources Wales, Pizza Hut Restaurants and Virgin Atlantic.

microsoft-cloud-servicesSome UK customers have already expressed desire to embrace Microsoft’s future cloud services to be delivered from the UK. “At the MOD, we have a clear mission to deliver the modern, open and flexible IT resources required to ensure our forces have information capabilities tailored to their mission, location and role, accessible through a cost-effective and adaptable infrastructure,” said Mike Stone, chief digital and information officer, UK Ministry of Defense. “Microsoft’s plans to offer highly secure, UK-based cloud services is an exciting development and one that will clearly support the MOD in our transformation journey.”