STOCKHOLM/MILAN – Oracle (NYSE:) on Wednesday announced that its first Nordics cloud region has been opened in Stockholm. The Milan one is also in Stockholm. These were created in response to increased public demand for cloud computing services from both private and public sector organisations.

Cloud regions are the geographic location of data center data centers. This allows customers to have faster access to their data.

To cater for clients who are moving from cloud computing and in-house storage to renting, companies like Oracle (NASDAQ), Microsoft (NASDAQ), Amazon (NASDAQ) and Google (NASDAQ) have set up data centers throughout Europe.

Already, Oracle has cloud areas in Europe in Germany, France, Germany, France and the UK. Including the two new regions, it will have facilities in 36 regions worldwide, with plans to add eight more by the end of next year.

It has signed agreements with potential European customers already and intends to open additional regions in France and Spain.

“European organizations want to store their data in Europe or in their local country where possible,” said Carla Arend, senior program director at research firm IDC.

Oracle, best-known for its database software and its ability to compete in cloud computing, is still behind its major rivals. However, Oracle’s total cloud revenue rose 22% in the second quarter, rising to $2.7 Billion.

Oracle stated earlier in the year it will free-of-charge migrate most difficult computer programs from companies to its cloud, as a way to capture a new generation of cloud computing clients.