Microsoft launched two new Australian datacentres in October as part of its Azure cloud computing platform. The Australian-based cloud platform is the first public cloud service in Australia to pass a key federal government security and compliance assessment.
This announcement means Australian organisations can now assure their customers that their key data will not leave Australia. In the past, there has been concern over data residency and data sovereignty - customers did not want their cloud providers storing customer data outside of Australia.
Organisations with similar concerns, or have strict compliance guidelines that need to be met can now take advantage of cloud computing through Microsoft Azure.
Pip Marlow, managing director of Microsoft Australia is excited about the launch. "Today is a historic day, a monumental day, because it's the first day Australian customers can log on and choose the Azure Australian Geo." Marlow said. "The data centre is up and running in Australia for the first time."
Let’s take a look at three benefits your organisation can achieve through locally-based cloud computing.
1. Increased speed and latency
The obvious benefit of using a cloud provider that is located in Australia is that your data will be closer to your staff and customers. Using Microsoft Azure’s cloud platform, you can choose to host your data in Melbourne or Sydney. Accessing this data will be faster than if you had to access data from an overseas data centre.
Your staff and customers will be able to access important data and applications with less latency (lag time) which will allow your team to be more productive and give your customers a better user experience.
2. Improved data security and compliance
Security is often cited as one of the main concerns holding organisations back from moving to the cloud. With a local cloud platform now available from a trusted provider, organisations will achieve the levels of security they need to ensure compliance.
A common concern we hear is around data sovereignty. “Where is my data hosted” is a question commonly voiced by organisations. Australian organisations must be compliant with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which highlights a particular importance around cross-border disclosure of personal information.
APP Chapter 8 reads, “Before an APP entity discloses personal information to an overseas recipient, the entity must take reasonable steps to ensure that the overseas recipient does not breach the APPs in relation to the information.”
This becomes a problem for any organisation that uses a cloud provider that hosts data outside of Australia. Now, organisations have an option to move to the cloud - with Microsoft Azure - whilst keeping their data inside Australia and staying complaint with the APPs.
3. Reduced IT costs
Many organisations that want to move to the cloud cite reduced IT costs as a major benefit. In most cases, yes, you will save money by moving your data, applications and infrastructure into the cloud. The main cost saving comes when an organisation needs to scale (or descale) their infrastructure.
For example, it enables organisations to get started without having to pay for expensive infrastructure upfront. You ‘rent’ infrastructure on a pay per use basis. So if you need infrastructure and licensing for 20 users, you simply pay for 20 users. As you grow and need to increase infrastructure and add licenses, you can easily ad 10, 20, or 100’s of users with a click of a button.
Overtime, this can save organisations significant money on their IT costs.
Are you ready to make the leap into the cloud?
Microsoft’s announcement is a great move for Australian organisations. In the next 12-24 months we’ll likely see the other big players (Google) make similar launches in Australia, ensuring they meet local compliance guidelines.
Australian organisations will flock to cloud providers in 2015. Can you afford to miss out on the benefits of increased speed, improved data security and reduced costs?
Related: Predictions for cloud computing trends in 2015 (and how you can leverage them)