Dimension Data extends Cloud Services portfolio; bridges the gap for enterprises and governments moving key business services to the cloud
Dimension Data Holdings plc, an ICT services and solutions provider, today announced it will offer Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and Microsoft Lync 2010 cloud services hosted in its managed private cloud environment. Part of its Cloud Services portfolio, and based upon Dimension Data’s Managed Cloud Platform™ (MCP), enterprises will realise the benefits of Microsoft Corp.’s business productivity capabilities while reducing the cost and risk of managing the underlying infrastructure and applications. Dimension Data’s approach provides a customisable and secure managed private cloud solution that maintains data sovereignty and control. Initially available in South Africa in calendar Q3 2012, the Group intends to offer the servicein an additional 10 countries and expand availability based upon client demand.
“Dimension Data has more than 10 years of experience deploying on-premise Exchange, SharePoint and Lync solutions for clients globally, and has migrated more than one million end users to public cloud business productivity solutions,” said Steve Nola, CEO of Dimension Data’s Cloud Business Unit. “Our strong expertise in tailoring Microsoft solutions to our clients’ needs provides the assurance that their operations are in good hands.”
The economics and efficiency benefits of moving messaging, collaboration and unified communication technologies to the cloud are appealing to many enterprises; however, existing public cloud environments can fail to satisfy key business requirements. Dimension Data’s new offering is part of the Group’s Cloud Services strategy announced earlier in the year. This offering, based upon Microsoft productivity solutions, provides a private, single-tenant cloud environment hosted in Dimension Data’s data centres throughout the world, or on the client’s premises. The managed offering provides enterprises with the level of customisation, flexibility and control needed to address unique business requirements.
“By offering our clients managed productivity solutions in a private cloud environment, Dimension Data is helping remove the barriers that have previously inhibited some organisations from placing key business services in the cloud,” said Peter Menadue, general manager of Microsoft solutions at Dimension Data. “By basing this offering on our Managed Cloud Platform™, Dimension Data is enabling enterprises around the globe to take a key step in their journey to the cloud with the security, compliance and customisation assurances they require.”
“Enterprises and government organisations will benefit from Dimension Data-hosted productivity solutions,” said Mark Hill, Vice President, Enterprise Partner Group, Microsoft Corp. “As one of our most innovative alliances, Dimension Data has the depth of experience to offer customers flexible cloud solutions based on Microsoft technologies that best meet their organisational needs.”
Maximising existing investments in technology is a key consideration for enterprises as they transition to the cloud. Organisations with Microsoft’s Enterprise Agreements can take advantage of the License Mobility through Software Assurance option to repurpose their SharePoint 2010, Exchange Server 2010 and Lync 2010 licenses. Dimension Data will take advantage of this licensing option so that their clients can move to the cloud on their own schedule, without waiting for existing agreements to expire or purchasing duplicate licenses.
Dimension Data’s cloud services platform, built on Windows Server and Microsoft System Center is fully managed and allows for organisations to maintain the control they need to perform routine tasks through a self-service portal for client administration. Long-standing vendor relationships and multi-vendor management capabilities position Dimension Data to support and manage complex systems integration obstacles that arise.
Dimension Data Managed Cloud Platform™ (MCP)
Dimension Data’s Cloud Services are delivered on the company’s Managed Cloud Platform™ (MCP), a fully-managed cloud delivery platform. Hosted within a Dimension Data or client data centre, the MCP is comprised of cloud infrastructure (servers, storage, networking, virtualisation and operating system software) and Dimension Data CloudControl™, a cloud management system that provides operational control and automation of cloud resource provisioning, orchestration, administration, and billing. The MCP can be accessed via a web-based user interface or REST-based application interface (API), enabling integration of the platform with third-party cloud or enterprise system management software. Private MCPs can be deployed in client data centres across more than 100 countries. Dimension Data’s public cloud services can be accessed globally via Dimension Data Public MCPs in the San Jose, CA and Ashburn, VA, United States; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Sydney, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa. For more information on the services, please visit: www.dimensiondata.com/cloud.
-ENDS-
About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group. www.dimensiondata.com