Microsoft Azure deployed as new cloud platform for resources giant BHP

Microsoft Azure will be deployed as the new cloud platform for BHP, one of the world's largest resources companies.

Microsoft has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with BHP to deploy Microsoft Azure as BHP's preferred cloud for its global applications' portfolio. The new partnership will build on BHP's existing Microsoft Cloud foundations, with Office 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure.

The deployment will mean BHP transitioning its global applications including SAP, in a portfolio move to Azure, which represents the transition of up to 17,500 TB of data to Azure.

"With BHP already using Office 365, Azure and Dynamics 365 throughout its operations, and with Azure as its preferred cloud, BHP will be able to take full advantage of Microsoft's globally integrated cloud capability," says BHP chief technical officer, Laura Tyler.

"Digital technology is in everything we do at BHP, from how we connect every day to how we extract and find resources more safely and sustainably. We are levering next-generation technologies like cloud, machine learning, and automation to solve complex business problems and unlock value even faster.

She says the cloud is the foundation of the companies' plans, and it will enable it to deploy digital solutions to the frontline quickly and at scale. "Cloud will dramatically reduce the amount of hardware on sites and reduce costs," she says.

According to BHP, Microsoft distinguished itself for its global coverage, capabilities, and integrated services throughout the highly competitive selection process. BHP and Microsoft also share values concerning sustainability, water management and climate, culture, business agility and training.

"Our partnership with BHP will accelerate the company's cloud journey, improve enterprise agility and security, and advance its sustainability commitments through better data insights," says Microsoft's Worldwide Commercial Business executive vice president, Judson Althoff.

"We are excited to collaborate with BHP on deploying the digital tools and capabilities needed to respond quickly to opportunities in the global resources sector, and ensure its people are fully supported to do their best work safely.

BHP will make the transition during the next three years of its applications from regional data centers, corporate offices, and operational sites, as well as its SAP HANA environment, over to Microsoft Azure.

BHP's three global systems integrators, Accenture, Infosys, and Cognizant, have a robust relationship with Microsoft, which also has an existing global partnership with SAP.

Microsoft says the companies will work together to accelerate BHP's move to the cloud over the next three years, and their combined efforts will help reduce risk and optimise outcomes.