Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Microsoft opens data center region in Madrid

Microsoft inaugurated its first cloud region of data centers in Spain, located in multiple locations in the Community de Madrid.

The new cloud region (called Spain Central) will help to accelerate the digitalization of Spanish organizations, the development of the AI Economy in Spain and the growth of the local IT industry. The technologies offered at Spain Central are, among others, the most modern services for productivity, data analytics, cybersecurity, computing and storage (Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform), and also include generative Artificial Intelligence services, thus placing this cloud region among the most advanced in Europe. The new cloud region will provide highly available, scalable, and secure cloud services, including the option of in-country data residency for Spanish organizations.

Microsoft expects to invest US$2.1 billion in the period 2024-2025 in Spain, responding to the growing demand for Microsoft’s AI and cloud solutions from Spanish organizations.

Customers already using the new cloud region include (among others): Abanca, Aciturri, Banc Sabadell, Banco Santander, Bankinter, BBVA, CaixaBank, Canal de Isabel II, CELSA, Codere, Comunidad de Madrid, Grupo Catalana Occidente, Ibercaja, Ilunion, Metrovacesa, Mutua Madrileña, Naturgy, Navantia, Pelayo, Prosegur, Repsol, Ribera Salud, SegurCaixa Adeslas, Tecnicas Reunidas and Velilla. In addition, software developers (ISVs) such as Barracuda, Citrix, NetApp, OpenAI, Palantir, SAP, Veeam, Vmware or Zertia are also making use of Microsoft’s new infrastructure in