Microsoft claims to be the first global provider to deliver the "complete cloud" from UK datacentres, an obvious swipe at Amazon brought about with the opening of facilities in London, Cardiff and Durham.

The datacentres currently host Azure and Office 365 services, with Dynamics CRM Online to follow from H1 2017. The facilities were first announced back in November 2015. Previously UK-based Microsoft customers had to depend on datacentres in either Ireland and Amsterdam if they wanted to remain in Europe. As a result, the company can now satisfy any local data residency and replication needs for business continuity.

Customers using the newly opened facilities include the British Ministry of Defence, Aston Martin, Capita, Careflow Connect and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Go Microsoft Becomes First Global Provider to Deliver Complete Cloud from UK Datacentres