Microsoft has announced that CCL will be its first at-scale cloud launch partner for the upcoming New Zealand cloud region.
CCL is a provider of IT and hybrid cloud services within local telco Spark's Business Group.
The partnership means that CCL will be the first company able to migrate customers to Microsoft's New Zealand North cloud region at scale.
“We’ve seen huge interest from customers in leading end-to-end cloud services, hyperscale cloud, and AI, and this signaled a significant opportunity to partner together and provide customers more choice to choose the best cloud platform and services to meet their needs,” said Richard Adams, CEO of CCL.
“Our clients will be able to benefit from Microsoft’s world-class cloud infrastructure right here in New Zealand, while receiving the local support and extensive cloud expertise that CCL is known for. We look forward to helping businesses navigate their digital transformation journeys with confidence, not only by making the right technology decisions today but also planning for tomorrow.”
The first company CCL will migrate will be customer Scales Corporation.
Adam Magon, group CIO at Scales Corporation, said: “Scales Corporation will transition over time to the New Zealand North cloud region as we continue to enhance our cloud-native capabilities to improve resiliency and optimize costs. This underscores our commitment to leveraging advanced technology for business growth and superior customer service on the international stage.”
Microsoft first announced plans to develop a data center region in New Zealand in May 2020, receiving approval in September of that year. In 2022, the company revealed that the cloud region would be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, later signing a 51MW geothermal PPA with Contact Energy.
According to Vanessa Sorenson, managing director of Microsoft New Zealand, the cloud region is due to go live this year.
"We’re more than excited to be opening our New Zealand North cloud region here in 2024, and partnering with CCL will massively accelerate the number of organizations who can hit the ground running as soon as we open. CCL’s expertise in hybrid cloud solutions and deep understanding of the New Zealand market make them the ideal partner to help our customers get the best from hyperscale, while also helping them achieve their sustainability goals faster,” said Sorenson.
New Zealand's largest company, dairy giant Fonterra, the office of the Maori Trustee Te Tumu Paeroa, and Auckland Transport have already committed to migrating to the New Zealand cloud region.
CCL is the largest locally focused cloud services provider in New Zealand. Parent company Spark Business Group owns and operates local data centers comprising 22.3MW of existing total capacity with an additional NZ$250-$300 million (US$152-182.4m) being invested in data center expansion in the coming years.
