Microsoft has announced plans to deliver Office 365 and Dynamics CRM Online from data centres in Australia by the end of March, 2015 to address data residency considerations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, government and financial services.

A number of Australian organisations are using Office 365 and CRM Online.

Sydney Water embarked earlier this year on a strategic transition to Office 365 and this investment has already paid significant dividends, according to Sydney Water CIO, Stephen Wilson.

“Sydney Water’s decision in 2013 to invest in Office 365 was part of our overall vision to create a flexible working environment which has significant benefits for the workforce and ultimately, to customers.

“We have just completed the rollout of the platform to more than 3000 staff and delivery partners and the benefits are already evident – people are collaborating on Office 365 in ways we couldn’t previously.

“The announcement today from Microsoft will help us get more out of the platform and collaborate more effectively. It will also enable us to get the right applications to the right people in the field in a faster way.”