- Interoute Virtual Data Centre combines virtualization of both computing resources and the network, thereby promoting automation, simplifying network management and offering improved scalability

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) market, Frost & Sullivan recognized Interoute with the 2013 Europe Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation Leadership at its Excellence in Best Practices Awards Banquet in Paris on 17th October. Interoute's IaaS offering is an automated, pay-on-demand service called the Interoute Virtual Data Centre (VDC). This solution is built within Interoute's existing multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) fibre optic network and enables the provision of both public and private cloud on the same platform. This gives end users the flexibility of using both clouds simultaneously or switching between them in real time.

To provide a high-quality network and ensure top-notch service in its cloud offering, Interoute has virtualized its network in addition to providing virtualized computing and storage. Software automation of the network can help Interoute easily create VDC for individual customers within its existing private corporate MPLS virtual private network (VPN). This not only guarantees privacy in the cloud, but also facilitates data traffic management.

"Interoute has a well-developed pan-European MPLS network that it uses as a foundation for its Virtual Data Centres," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Shuba Ramkumar. "Its focus on creating an IaaS solution that is integrated into a secure and reliable network, and combines leading-edge technologies such as MPLS and software-defined networking (SDN), differentiates its IaaS offering from its competitors'."

VDC customers can also benefit from the Interoute CloudStore, which is a shared platform on which customers can search for popular third-party enterprise applications. Enterprises can upload chosen applications onto their VDC, creating a private and internal applications environment.

Most of the return on investment (ROI) from Interoute's VDC accrues mainly from the network underlying its cloud platform. As Interoute has its own network, it is able to offer multiple advantages. First, by avoiding reliance on network partners, it ensures lower latency and increased flexibility. It also offers the benefit of free in and outbound movement of data to and between Virtual Data Centres and customization of the VDC offering. This service is especially useful for organizations looking to build complex hybrid cloud platforms. And it keeps the cost extremely competitive.

The company has five VDCs across Europe, (soon to be six when Milan goes live later this year) which allows customers to control the location of their data and benefit from redundancy. The VDC also has a fully automated backup and disaster recovery system, wherein customers can avail both a local (primary VDC) and remote backup (secondary VDC). Interoute is also planning to add Virtual Data Centres in Hong Kong and New York.

Interoute already has a strong presence in Europe as a telecommunications provider, operating in 26 European countries with a vast backbone network. As Interoute VDC is integrated into this network, it can sell to customers of the Interoute network.

"Due to virtualization across the network, customers of Interoute's MPLS network can easily add a data center, if they so choose, and move their data around for free" noted Ramkumar. "Interoute's innovative approach combining virtualization in computing and the network has created a pay-as-you-go Networked Cloud Computing service with Free European data transfer, making Interoute Virtual Data Centre a very attractive in the IaaS market."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased ROI it offers customers, which, in turn, increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Interoute

Interoute Communications Ltd is the owner operator of Europe's largest cloud services platform, which encompasses over 60,000 km of lit fibre, 10 hosting data centres and 31 collocation centres, with connections to 140 additional third-party data centres across Europe. Its full-service Unified ICT platform serves international enterprises, as well as every major European telecommunications incumbent and the major operators of North America, East and South Asia, governments and universities. These organisations find Interoute the ideal partner for computing, connectivity and communications and developing new services. Its Unified ICT strategy has proved attractive to enterprises looking for a scalable, secure and unconstrained platform on which they can build their voice, video, computing and data services, as well as service providers in need of high capacity international data transit and infrastructure. With established operations throughout mainland Europe, North America and Dubai, Interoute also owns and operates dense city networks throughout Europe's major business centres. www.interoute.com.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan