SAS customers in New Zealand will be able to host their data locally for the first time following an agreement between the data and AI firm and Microsoft.
The deal enables SAS to host its software and managed services in Microsoft's local hyperscale cloud region.
"We utilise Azure globally for our hosted platforms and managed services, and while we offer locally hosted services in over 20 regions around the world, we've never been able to host in Aotearoa, New Zealand," Campbell Johns, managing director of SAS New Zealand said.
The Department of Corrections has already seen benefits from the cloud-based approach.
"SAS Viya on Azure enabled Corrections to quickly set up our secure data and analytics environment," Frank Zhang, programme manager planning elements at the Department of Corrections said.
While SAS currently provides managed services to New Zealand customers from Australian Azure regions, local hosting capabilities are expected to drive wider adoption.
The move addresses growing demand for cloud-native applications and data residency requirements, particularly from government agencies.
Customers will benefit from improved resiliency, reduced latency, enhanced security, and stronger environmental credentials.
"The arrival of hyperscale cloud will turbo-charge digital innovation and unlock opportunities previously not available to us," said Vanessa Sorenson, managing director of Microsoft New Zealand.
The partnership builds on SAS's existing relationship with Microsoft, which saw the company named Microsoft's Global Independent Software Vendor of the year in 2022.
Microsoft is the global hosting partner for SAS as well.
Several organisations already identified as anchor tenants for Microsoft's cloud region are existing SAS customers, particularly in financial crime, fraud, and risk management services.
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