Global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) AvePoint and tech conglomerate Microsoft have reached a significant new agreement. The move is designed to help expand AvePoint's presence across New Zealand, offering data residency and simplifying the adoption of Copilot for NZ businesses and channel partners. As of December 4, 2023, AvePoint has been confirmed as the first international ISV to commit to Microsoft's New Zealand data centre region.

This alliance allows AvePoint to extend its AvePoint Cloud Backup Express for Microsoft 365 solution to partners by using Microsoft's New Zealand data centre region. Customers can expect a broader range of solutions designed specifically to cater to their local data residency requirements as a direct result of AvePoint's solutions within the Microsoft NZ data centre.

Microsoft and IDC's recent research indicates that 95% of businesses across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) already utilise AI tools or intend to adopt them within the coming twelve months. To this end, AvePoint's Copilot readiness solutions have a unique role, automating content readiness end-to-end within Microsoft 365.

The software orchestrates detailed, secure, precise, and relevant recommendations by creating organisational guardrails. The aptitude for streamlining the Copilot adoption process for Microsoft 365 thus propels and automates the delivery process for businesses and channel partners.

Max McNamara, Vice President and Managing Director of AvePoint ANZ, emphasised the importance of local businesses safeguarding their data in compliance with regional regulations. With the introduction of Microsoft's New Zealand data centre region, McNamara highlighted that channel partners using AvePoint Cloud Backup Express can now confidently leverage Copilot's AI features.

This local data residency ensures customer data stays within New Zealand, providing businesses with assurance and helping channel partners prepare their customers for Copilot efficiently. The result is increased customer confidence, faster Copilot readiness, and a reduced risk of regulatory penalties for Kiwi businesses.

Max McNamara said, "It is important that local businesses have the right guardrails around their data and that they protect their data in a data centre region that aligns with local compliance requirements.

"Microsoft's New Zealand datacenter region will give our channel partners offering AvePoint Cloud Backup Express to local customers across Aotearoa the confidence to explore Copilot's AI features in a way that will generate the best ROI for their business, knowing their data will never leave New Zealand."

"This customer confidence from data residency will mean channel partners can get their customers Copilot-ready, faster, and Kiwi businesses can avoid the risk of future regulatory penalties," said Max McNamara. 

Vanessa Sorenson, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand, also commented, "Our research shows nearly two-thirds of organisations in Aotearoa take more than six months to manage AI implementations."

"By speeding up that process through solutions like AvePoint's, we can get everyone realising the benefits of Copilot, boosting innovation and productivity so much faster, and with top-notch security. We're hearing that Aotearoa is more than ready for Copilot. With AvePoint, our partners can now get everyone Copilot-ready too."