Logicalis revs up cloud engine

Mass appeal: Logicalis claims its range of cloud services will be a winner in both the private and public sectors

Integrator Logicalis claims its Cooperative Enterprise Cloud Service will allow businesses to get the best out of the cloud without "necessitating an all-or-nothing approach".

The service is built around Cisco's Unified Computing System (UCS) and NetApp's storage gear. Its launch follows yesterday's news that the two vendors, alongside virtualisation heavyweight VMware, are to team up in the virtualised datacentre space.

In November, Logicalis claimed its launch of a dedicated cloud division put it more than a year ahead of its rivals. Its Bespoke On-Site Cloud Service (BOCS) will use UCS technology to enable end users to take advantage of virtualised and non-virtualised applications on one platform.

The Cooperative Enterprise Cloud will offer capacity services enabling BOCS users to expand on-site infrastructure into a hosted platform. All services will be supported by NetApp storage kit.

Logicalis chief architect Simon Daykin said: “The matched architecture of our hosted service is critical in providing enterprise and public sector customers with the confidence of moving key workloads or critical services into the cloud. "

The Slough-based integrator claims its cloud model will serve the needs of both large enterprises and the public sector. Alongside financial benefits, the service will offer top-notch "security, reliability and flexibility", said the VAR, with its UK location being another selling point.

The Cooperative Enterprise Cloud Service will be slotted into Logicalis' managed service line-up and will be available from next quarter as a contracted service. The firm will also open the doors of its Cisco Cloud Showcase Centre, which will offer firms the chance to get a closer look at cloud architecture.

Tom Kelly, Logicalis UK managing director, said: “This is the first enterprise-class cloud computing service that truly addresses the challenges driving ICT change. The Cooperative Enterprise Cloud Service enables CIOs to safely exploit the commercial and operational benefits of cloud-based strategies without necessitating an all-or-nothing approach.

“Moreover, it allows customers to build and right-size on-site private clouds, and then utilise our hosted cloud to scale as required. Our belief is that matched-architecture hybrid clouds are going to be the private and public sector’s first choice for their cloud computing strategies.”