​All-in for Microsoft Azure as Zespri ditches server room

New Zealand exporter Zespri International has migrated 95 percent of its global computer infrastructure to Microsoft Azure, as it no longer requires physical servers to store information.

As part of the move, the Mount Maunganui based company has also shifted the majority of its global SAP platform and other applications to Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.

“As we grow, Azure gives us the confidence that comes with knowing all our data in New Zealand and the 54 countries where we sell premium Zespri Kiwifruit is secure and managed in regional data centres,” says Andrew Goodin, Global Manager of Information Systems, Zespri.

“Zespri is growing quickly and we are confident with Azure there will be less interruption to our business operations, and we have found it to be fast and reliable.

“The Azure move also saves us money both now and in future, as technology changes and consolidation options become evident."

With sales revenues of $1.57 billion in 2014/15, Zespri is one of the world’s most successful horticulture marketing companies and the Zespri brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit.

The company is 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employs approximately 350 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise Lead, Dirk Develter says the use of cloud is "inevitable in the future workplace", whether it’s completely migrating businesses or having a hybrid tailored solution.

“It’s becoming increasingly important for organisations to be flexible and have the ability to quickly scale up or down, maintain best practice security, the mobility to work from anywhere and allow for predictable, transparent costing,” he adds.

“We wanted to start that conversation and reflect this by showing some of the benefits physically.

“It also reflects the modern workplace with people wanting options about how they work, where they work, and expectations that workplaces will be dynamic and engaging.”