Microsoft announces its first cloud region in Italy

Microsoft has announced the availability of its first cloud region in Italy. Consisting of three data centers located in the Lombardy region, the company said it guarantees the highest levels of security, privacy and performance. The region is pegged to accelerate the digital transition of organizations and public entities in the area.

According to the tech giant, its Italian ecosystem and enterprise customers could contribute around $135 billion to the country's economy over the next four years; Lombardy alone is set to bring in over $22.95 billion of this. 

According to the company, the Lombardy region will join more than 60 others globally; the region is pegged to be one of the largest in Europe. 

The new region was announced during the Made in DigItaly event.

Ralph Haupter, Microsoft President EMEA, said the company believes that Italy's vibrant business landscape deserves "the best technological infrastructure available." 

"With our new datacenter region in Italy, we are empowering Italian organizations to seize the opportunities of the digital age, more easily scale their operations internationally and leverage new technologies such as AI capabilities – ultimately helping meet and exceed their customers' expectations," he added. 

Meanwhile, Valentino Valentini, deputy minister of enterprises and Made in Italy, said that the launch of Microsoft's cloud region is important for the Lombardy region and Italy. "The initiative not only brings quality employment opportunities, but above all it provides tools and technological infrastructure that allow companies and the public sector to accelerate digital transition."

"The government's goal is to create an ecosystem that increases the level of competitiveness, protects Made in Italy from counterfeiting phenomena, optimizing production processes, quality control as well as logistics and energy sustainability. Microsoft's cloud region enables the achievement of these goals," commented Valentini.