When Amazon Web Services (AWS) decided to open a new data center region to serve the Nordic countries, Sweden ticked all the boxes: From high-speed connectivity to low power costs and a focus on sustainability.
Business Sweden and Data Centers by Sweden (a national initiative) supported AWS throughout the establishment process, for example by carrying out extensive site selection research and evaluation.
After carefully reviewing all options, AWS chose three locations in the greater Stockholm area. At the end of 2018, the new data centers opened in Eskilstuna, Västerås, and Katrineholm.
Amazon Web Services is one of the top leaders in cloud computing, with more than 30% of the global market share. Operating around the world, AWS offers over 90 services including compute power, database storage, networking, security, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The folks at Data Centers by Sweden and Business Sweden were with us every step of the way, making our landing in Sweden a lot smoother and easier.AWS has gradually built a presence in the Nordic countries, and many businesses already count on the organization to power their infrastructure and provide agile solutions to their customers. Companies like Scania and Assa Abloy use AWS’ high performance computing (HPC) solution services, and the client list further includes fast-growing start-ups such as iZettle and giant corporations like IKEA. The decision to develop a Nordic data center region is therefore a logical step forward.
Sweden was AWS’ preferred location for several reasons. The country has an extensive and reliable fiber network that provides excellent access to high-performance connectivity. The lowest power costs in the European Union was another important factor – especially in combination with Sweden’s commitment to environmental sustainability, which resonates with AWS’ focus on green energy.
Last but not least, Sweden has a talented and highly skilled workforce, a vibrant start-up community, and an innovative business climate.
Darren Mowry, Managing Director Business Development, AWS EMEA, agrees: “For those of us working in the tech sector, Sweden truly does have it all. So it comes as no surprise that AWS decided to build the new data centers here.”
Yet the question of exactly where to construct the new data centers remained. AWS wanted to make sure that future expansion was a possibility, and it was a challenge to find three large enough sites that could provide a steady, reliable power supply.
Business Sweden and Data Centers by Sweden provided background research on site selection and arranged meetings with useful contacts from both the public and private sectors. The organizations then presented a number of possible sites in Sweden and helped to evaluate the suggestions.
“The folks at Data Centers by Sweden and Business Sweden were with us every step of the way,” Mowry explains. “They were a huge help with intelligence, contacts, and helping us to harness the data center opportunities on offer in Sweden. They provided us with a central point of contact and offered a unique constellation of stakeholders from both the private and public sectors”.
As the demand for data storage capacity and cloud services is expected to explode in the near future, there is no doubt that AWS will play a significant role for Swedish business innovation. The new data centers will make it easier for existing and new customers to access the full range of AWS’ services. They are also likely to attract companies that depend on low latency networks, as well as those that need to store data locally for legal reasons.
Business Sweden continues its support during the construction phase as AWS breaks new ground as one of the world’s foremost cloud-services provider.
ABOUT AMAZON WEB SERVICES
Amazon Web Services has offered scalable IT infrastructure services to businesses since 2006. Today, it is recognised as the most comprehensive cloud platform in the world, operating in the USA, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the UK, and now Sweden.
WHY SWEDEN?
- An extensive and reliable fiber network for high-performance connectivity
- The lowest electricity costs in the European Union
- A commitment to environmental sustainability
- An innovative business climate with a highly skilled workforce and a vibrant start-up community
VALUE IMPACT
The new data centres give AWS extended capacity to improve and expand their services to an ever-growing list of current and future customers, thus strengthening their position as the world’s leading cloud services provider further.
