Microsoft announces CCL as first strategic launch partner for NZ cloud region

Microsoft has named Kiwi multi-cloud services provider CCL as the first at-scale cloud launch partner for its New Zealand hyperscale cloud region.

The partnership enables Spark Business Group-owned CCL to migrate customers to Microsoft's New Zealand North cloud region at scale.

CCL will support its customer Scales Corporation as the first mover, as well as other potential customers, to migrate data and workloads.

CCL and Microsoft will also explore partnership opportunities to build specialist digital skills to grow the cloud talent pool.

"We've seen huge interest from customers in leading end-to-end cloud services, hyperscale cloud and AI, and this signalled 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." 

Scales Corporation is a global proteins and agribusiness group based in New Zealand, providing services to the primary export sector. 

“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 optimise costs. This underscores our commitment to leveraging advanced technology for business growth and superior customer service on the international stage,” said Aaron Magon, group CIO at Scales Corporation.

“As we mature our cloud strategy, we value a partner like CCL to ensure our applications and data are secure, accessible, flexible, and still regionally close to our people and needs of our processing capabilities.”

Vanessa Sorenson, MD of Microsoft New Zealand, said she is looking forward to the new opportunities this partnership will unlock for New Zealand businesses.

“This truly is the year of delivery. 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 organisations who can hit the ground running as soon as we open," said Sorenson.

"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.”