In a significant leap forward for New Zealand’s digital ecosystem, TEAM IM has announced the launch of the country’s first sovereign hyperscale cloud, known as TEAM Cloud, which will be operational from August 1, 2024. TEAM IM, a prominent player in the information management services sector, has teamed up with Oracle to integrate Oracle Alloy into its data centers, thus providing more than 100 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) services. This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at assisting New Zealand organizations in meeting stringent regulatory and data sovereignty requirements by ensuring that data remains within the nation’s borders. CEO Ian Rogers emphasized that this locally owned and managed cloud solution will not only bolster digital sovereignty but will also enhance data residency and recovery capabilities, thereby improving overall resilience. TEAM Cloud will operate from two North Island data centers, both of which are certified as Toitū net carbonzero. Impressively, the entire project was developed in a span of just nine months.
Advancing Digital Sovereignty and Innovation
Ian Rogers highlighted the immense potential of this cloud infrastructure in fostering innovations such as sovereign AI, which are crucial for fortifying New Zealand’s digital economy and boosting productivity and financial returns. By housing AI tools and other advanced technologies within the country, the initiative effectively minimizes the risk of intellectual property or confidential data being accessed from overseas. This level of security is particularly essential in a world where data breaches and cyber threats are becoming increasingly common. Furthermore, the cloud’s services are designed to offer comprehensive cyber-resilient, low-latency Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions. Such capabilities are expected to provide a robust foundation for both current and future digital innovations, thereby ensuring that New Zealand maintains a competitive edge in the global digital economy.
The involvement of Oracle adds another layer of reliability and performance to the project. John Eastman, Managing Director of Oracle New Zealand, pointed out that the integration of OCI services would support the transformation and modernization of New Zealand’s organizations. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape global business landscapes and policy frameworks, ensuring digital sovereignty is paramount for protecting critical data. OCI’s strong performance, security measures, data analytics, and distributed cloud capabilities will play a fundamental role in this transformation. By fostering an environment where data sovereignty and innovation go hand in hand, the TEAM Cloud initiative sets a precedent for how countries can manage and leverage their digital assets effectively.
Business Adoption and Economic Impact
In a notable advancement for New Zealand’s digital landscape, TEAM IM has unveiled the country’s first sovereign hyperscale cloud, named TEAM Cloud, set to go live on August 1, 2024. As a key player in information management services, TEAM IM has partnered with Oracle to incorporate Oracle Alloy into its data centers, delivering over 100 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) services. This pioneering effort is designed to help New Zealand organizations comply with rigorous regulatory and data sovereignty standards by keeping data within national borders. CEO Ian Rogers highlighted that this locally owned and managed cloud will not only strengthen digital sovereignty but also improve data residency and recovery, boosting overall resilience. TEAM Cloud will be housed in two North Island data centers, both certified as Toitū net carbonzero, assuring eco-friendly operations. Remarkably, the entire project was accomplished in just nine months, demonstrating TEAM IM’s commitment to rapid and innovative solutions for the digital era.