The Ministry of Defence (MoD), which employs around 250,000 people, will use Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure cloud services, with the Government citing value for money and security as key reasons for the agreement.
“Microsoft’s secure and transparent cloud service in the UK fits perfectly with the MoD’s digital transformation agenda,” said Mike Stone, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the MoD. “This agreement, which is based on Microsoft’s world-class reliability and performance, will allow us to deliver cost-effective, modern and flexible information capabilities. It will ensure we are better-placed in our ever-changing, digital-first world.”
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, the country’s largest mental health trust, Aston Martin, Capita and Rosslyn Analytics have also agreed to use Microsoft’s UK data centres. They join thousands of other UK businesses and organisations — such as Glasgow City Council, Marks & Spencer, Confused.com, Natural Resources Wales, Pizza Hut Restaurants and Virgin Atlantic – already using Microsoft’s cloud services.
The Trust is aiming to use Microsoft’s products 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. The bottom line is we trust Microsoft.”
Those benefits will be felt by small and large firms across the country, including Capita One and independent software vendors such as Careflow Connect Ltd.
“As developers of One Social Care, the next-generation IT solution for managing social services, Capita One is delighted to have been selected by Microsoft to partner with them in the launch of its first UK data centres,” said Mark Raeburn, Managing Director of Capita One. “Microsoft Azure’s cloud provides an innovative platform that will support us in delivering the tools that social workers need to improve the lives of children and families in the years ahead, and we are really excited to be part of this program.”
Dr Jon Shaw, Chief Executive of Careflow Connect, added: “Careflow is a secure, mobile communications tool, which connects clinicians and care professionals with patients. We’ve made considerable progress running our business on the existing Microsoft Azure infrastructure, however for many NHS Trusts, UK residency of patient data is a key consideration. Having access to Microsoft’s UK data centres will enable us to grow our business and build additional functionality to our service, benefitting the NHS and patients alike.”