Verizon Business's director of strategy Chris Gesell discussed the company's data center expansion with the WHIR
(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Managed services provider Verizon Business (www.verizonbusiness.com) is set to bring its cloud computing strategy into further action with a massive upgrade project of its global data centers around the globe.
Verizon business recently announced that it will bring its cloud computing services suite, which the company calls “Computing as a Service,” into select data centers around the world.
Verizon will also begin offering US government customers CaaS solutions in data centers, as well as add more than 5,500 additional server cabinets for enterprise clients to its facilities.
The comprehensive, large-scale expansion will ultimately accelerate the delivery of private clouds via more than 200 global data centers connected to the company’s MPLS network.
The ambitious project is all part of Verizon’s “everything as a service” model, in which the company seeks to provide secure, cloud-based, converged solutions over its global IP network.
In an email interview with the WHIR, Chris Gesell, director of strategy at Verizon Business, discusses the details of the company’s global data center upgrade and how it will further support Verizon’s everything-as-a-service model.
WHIR: Can you explain the planned upgrades to Verizon Business’ global data centers and what they will achieve?
CG: As part of the infrastructure investment we announced, Verizon will enhance capacity in its premium Internet data centers in Paris, Dublin, London, Frankfurt, Belgium, Canberra, Hong Kong and through the US. This expansion, in addition to supporting our ongoing IT Services clients, will further enable the delivery of private clouds for our client base while connecting them via our MPLS network, Private IP.
WHIR: What does Verizon Business aim to achieve with the new CaaS data centers for US government customers?
CG: The data centers, located in Miami, Florida and Culpeper, Virginia are designed to meet FISMA compliance. The cloud services to be delivered from these centers are targeted to obtain the soon-to-be published FedRamp requirements for cloud services. FedRamp compliance will enable Verizon to deliver the level of security and governance required by this unique segment. Federal, state and local governments, like the commercial enterprise, can no longer ignore the reality of the cost savings, flexibility and efficiencies that cloud-based services offer. Our cloud services delivered from these centers will enable our government clients to realize the benefits of cloud computing while addressing their unique security and control requirements.
WHIR: What does Verizon Business’ everything-as-a-service model entail?
CG: Verizon’s everything as a service model will leverage cloud-based, converged solutions delivered with leading security and delivery IT and communications services via our global IP network. Through Verizon’s EaaS model, enterprises will be able to do business better by getting what they need, when they need it and where they need it while only paying for those resources consumed.
WHIR: There has been a growing focus on cloud computing within the industry. How essential is this approach to Verizon Business?
CG: Transforming our company to delivering everything as a service is a natural evolution for Verizon as an IT solutions provider. We started with the very first cloud for voice and data years ago and have evolved as a leader in delivering integrated network and IT solutions. Leveraging Verizon’s global assets including over 200-plus data centers, its leading global IP network and security intelligence, the company is uniquely suited to lead the industry in delivering enterprise-grade cloud solutions while enabling enterprises to transition their corporate applications to the cloud.
WHIR: The convergence of solutions seems to be an ongoing trend in the marketplace in recent years. How important would you say this strategy is to Verizon Business?
CG: Verizon has been creating the foundation for delivering converged solutions for quite some time. The MCI acquisition brought Verizon global reach and key IT services, the Cybertrust acquisition enabled the building of a stronger professional services practice and security expertise, and the continued expansion of our data center footprint is a logical progression in our evolution. Verizon will continue to build our global data center footprint, embed security in everything we do and enhance the capabilities of its computing as a service platform in order to deliver communications and business applications via a cloud infrastructure. To date the company has rolled a number of as-a-service offerings, including solutions in the mobility, UC&C, security, storage and cloud computing spaces.
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