Microsoft targets public sector with cloud solution using UK data centres

Microsoft is this week claiming to have become the first global IT provider to deliver a complete cloud solution from UK data centres.

The company said its Azure and Office 365 services would now be generally available from multiple data centre locations in the UK.

“This cloud empowers the digital transformation of businesses and public sector organisations, helping them increase productivity while meeting compliance and policy requirements,” it added.

Microsoft said: “The local offering brings world-class reliability and performance combined with data residency to government departments, regulated industries and other businesses alike.

“Built on Microsoft’s Trusted Cloud principles of security, privacy, compliance, transparency and availability, this creates new opportunities for innovation, with the intent to spark local economic growth for Microsoft UK’s 25,000-plus partners and support local technology advancement.”

The Ministry of Defence and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, the country’s largest mental health trust, have agreed to use the service.

The Trust is aiming to support communication across its organisation – for example, with staff and services working in the community, including home visits, which require health specialists to work remotely.

Stephen Docherty, Chief Information Officer at the Trust, said: “We are excited to be a part of this data centre programme and greatly value Microsoft’s commitment to providing locally-based cloud services. Everything we do is to improve the lives of the people and communities we serve.

“Having the option to store data locally will allow us to take advantage of new opportunities to utilise the Microsoft UK Azure Platform and it is reassuring to know that our Trust’s core data, that we create and manage, stays in the UK. For us, the Microsoft’s UK cloud region means that demonstrating regulatory and legal compliance is simpler.”