cloud connectivity
MAKE THE CONNECTION
Data centre operators have an opportunity to increase revenue and transform their businesses by adopting cloud connectivity platforms . Chadwick Kinlay of Epsilon discusses the growing opportunity in cloud connectivity and how data centre operators can sell and deliver complete cloud solutions .
Cloud connectivity platforms are enabling data centre operators to capture new sustainable revenue streams without needing to invest in network procurement teams or network infrastructures .
The cloud is growing rapidly , and data centre operators are growing revenue with more than just traditional services . The opportunity in cloud is massive and data centre operators are now able to position themselves as a complete provider for their enterprise customers by adding networking to their portfolio . They position themselves as a bridge between enterprises , cloud services , and global connectivity .
Click-to-connect networking The global networking model has changed , and cloud connectivity platforms that deliver ‘ click-toconnect ’ procurement from an online portal are replacing traditional networking models . The methods that once connected communications services are no longer relevant for cloud applications and services .
Today , network infrastructure needs the same flexible and dynamic characteristics that cloud services contain . Cloud focused data centre businesses and enterprise customers need network services to evolve and be completely tailored to the cloud ecosystem . Network infrastructure must mirror the simplicity , agility and efficiency of the cloud , or face becoming obsolete .
Networking access to cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services , Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform can be streamlined with a cloud connectivity platform . One physical connection to a platform can enable a data centre operator ’ s customers to connect to multiple global cloud service providers through a virtual connection .
Cloud connectivity platforms allow procurement and management of global network infrastructure to move online via web based portals from anywhere across the globe . Provisioning is then supported by new levels of automation worldwide , and automation is key to network agility and providing cloud services with the flexibility to scale and grow .
Networks that don ’ t have automation at the centre of their models still rely on human intervention and often have long delivery times . This slows the roll out of cloud services and takes the control away from the user , whereas automation gives the user the ability to adjust and scale services rapidly .
After a portal is firmly in place and supported by automation , network infrastructure can be accessed and provisioned in the same way you can buy cloud services from providers like Amazon Web Services to match the agility available in other services .
Networks must also cater for hybrid cloud scenarios to offer the full combination of public IP access and private Ethernet WAN with QoS and visibility in order to have full control over the network .
Application performance is critical in today ’ s cloud offerings as well as real time visibility into network performance such as latency , jitter , throughput are all vital components to provide a fully assured solution .
A complete ecosystem Global connectivity doesn ’ t need to be treated any differently from the cloud ecosystem : it can be seamlessly integrated as the fifth component to data centre operators ’ offerings following powered shells , data centre suites , colocation services , and custom solutions .
Data centre operators are partnering with cloud connectivity platform providers to rapidly add new revenue streams to their business with global connectivity and streamlined access to cloud
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