Atea announces first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Microsoft in Nordics within cloud services
Nordic customers are now demanding hybrid cloud solutions to scale their operations. This is a rapidly growing market trend in all of the Nordic countries, and there is a severe shortage of specialist competence in this area. Atea has committed itself to address this shortage by placing several hundred consultants through a cloud services training program in collaboration with Microsoft.
When Microsoft opens two new Azure data centers in Norway this fall, Atea will be their first strategic partner to provide cloud services in the Nordics. The market for cloud services is expected to grow by 20 – 30 percent annually in the coming years, according to the market research company Gartner. Most customers wish to combine cloud solutions from multiple providers with the use of their own data centers – a so-called “Hybrid Multi Cloud” solution.
“We have seen growing demand from both the public sector and from private enterprise for smart, scalable, secure and advanced cloud solutions,” commented Steinar Sønsteby, CEO of Atea.
Specialist training program
Currently, there are not enough specialists to meet the needs of all organizations which seek to build modern and scalable cloud solutions. There is a large gap between the existing base of competence and demand in the market.
“To satisfy market demand, we need to train more consultants in cloud solutions,” says Sønsteby.
Sønsteby uses Equinor’s cloud strategy as an example: the company needed hundreds of consultants in cloud services to realize their strategy, which is more than were available in the Norwegian market. In order meet the needs of the Nordic markets, Atea is conducting a comprehensive effort to educate 1000 employees across all different cloud platforms.
Agreement with Microsoft
The agreement which has been signed with Microsoft is one of the first of its kind globally. In total, the agreement covers the practical and economic aspects of a business collaboration with Microsoft, an extensive training plan, and in addition secures Atea with access to global Azure specialists. The agreement has a three-year term.
“We have worked together with Microsoft for well over a year to complete the agreement. Now that everything is in place, the partnership will provide Atea with a clear economic model for building hybrid cloud solutions with Microsoft and access to Azure specialists to ensure success. Microsoft is one of our most important partners and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration further. Together we can help Nordic companies implement and effectively use the new cloud platforms,” concluded Sønsteby.
For further information, please contact:
Steinar Sønsteby, CEO Atea ASA, mobile (+47) 930 55 655
About Atea
Atea is the leading supplier of IT infrastructure and system integration in the Nordic and Baltic regions with 7,400 employees. Atea is present in 87 cities in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Atea delivers IT products from leading vendors and assists its customers with specialist competencies within IT infrastructure services. Atea had revenue of approximately NOK 35 billion in 2018 and is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange. https://www.atea.com