Data Backup Digest

As the cloud computing race continues to heat up amongst mainstream and enterprise users, some of the biggest service providers are ramping up their efforts in order to beat out the competition. To that extent, the announcement by Microsoft to expand data center capacities throughout Europe is an obvious effort to solidify their presence in the region.

In total, five data centers are involved in the latest expansion. This includes current data centers in Dublin, Ireland, a location in Amsterdam and two separate, brand new facilities in the cities of Magdeburg and Frankfurt, Germany. In addition, two more data centers will be established in the southern and western regions of the United Kingdom. The expansion is expected to bolster support within the U.K.

To begin with, these new data centers will be used to support Microsoft Azure and Office 365 service offerings. However, if the expansion goes as planned, Microsoft hopes to implement their Dynamics CRM Online platform by the end of 2016.

A Microsoft spokesperson explained the need for worldwide cloud access in the 21st century by saying: "Microsoft examined multiple markets around the world and met with many customers to get feedback on their needs for public cloud. Their input resulted in our decision to deliver Microsoft cloud services with a data trustee in Germany to provide greater customer choice. We remain committed to delivering cloud services that meet our customers' needs for flexibility and choice."

While their expansion plans were originally announced in November of 2015, it took some time for the development to come to fruition. As of September 2016, however, all of Microsoft's planned data centers are fully operational and offering their services to an international client base.

Takeshi Numoto, corporate vice president for Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise, spoke about the potential to improve operations on behalf of Ireland, Germany and the U.K. He was quoted as saying: "These new Microsoft Cloud regions will help businesses in industries such as banking, government, public sector and healthcare meet their customers’ needs, the regulatory requirements they are held to, and the need for local redundancy and disaster recovery."

Despite its relatively recent excursion into the United Kingdom, Microsoft is already attracting some big clients. Apart from companies like Aston Martin, Glasgow City Council, Virgin Atlantic, Capita and more, the U.K.'s Ministry of Defense has even adopted Microsoft Azure and Office 365 for their own use.

Mike Stone, chief digital and information officer with the Ministry of Defense, detailed the new partnership in a recent statement by saying: "These new Microsoft Cloud regions will help businesses in industries such as banking, government, public sector and healthcare meet their customers’ needs, the regulatory requirements they are held to, and the need for local redundancy and disaster recovery."

There's no doubt that Microsoft has already made an impact in the United Kingdom. If they continue their international expansion efforts as they are expected to, they will continue to strengthen their brand and maintain their status as an industry leader in cloud computing technology.