SAS has brought its SAS cloud platform to Australia with the help of Microsoft Azure.

The customers of the SAS cloud platform in Australia and the wider region can now access SAS cloud Azure in Sydney. It means that cloud technology-based tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics are now readily available to people than ever before.

“Australian organizations are increasingly aware of the power of data, analytics and AI to support their people, to deliver exceptional customer experiences and to ensure businesses thrive and succeed,” comments Microsoft Australia Chief Partner Officer Rachel Bondi.

“Our partnership with SAS and the establishment of the SAS Cloud on Azure streamlines access to this capability for local organizations and we are delighted to partner on this initiative.”

Add to it, another announcement of a global partnership between Microsoft and SAS was announced in June 2020. The partnership aims to focus on Microsoft Azure to promote it as the preferred SAS cloud provider. SAS also believes that Australia and New Zealand have a strong SAS cloud market, demonstrating strong demand for cloud services.

SAS’ Australia and New Zealand’s region’s Vice President Lynette Clunies-Ross says that the combination of SAS and Microsoft may lead to a new “operating system” for digital transformation.

“It represents a tangible local investment in the global strategic partnership when coupled with the establishment of our SAS Cloud Centre of Excellence in Sydney to serve Australia and the Asia Pacific region.”

In the same context, Clunies-Ross said that by local investment she means that customers and partners can be assured that both the junctions have access to the tools required for digital transformation initiative.

“I am thrilled to re-join SAS as the region vice president in Australia and New Zealand, passionate about SAS’ mission to make it easier for more people to use powerful analytics every day, and to inspire bold new discoveries that drive progress,” she says.

“As we move into 2021, our focus is supporting organizations with their cloud-based digital transformations, as well as continuing to bolster our Academic Outreach Program where we connect corporates with academia and learning resources to help democratize and educate executives on AI and analytics technology.”

“As the lifeblood of businesses, it’s important in-house teams are deepening their knowledge of innovative analytics software and services, so they can work with their IT partners to fully maximize their data,” concludes Clunies-Ross.