Data Backup Digest

Combining the most desirable elements of both public and private clouds, hybrid cloud environments are already being touted as the wave of the future. With this in mind, it's easy to see why some of the top players in the cloud computing game - including Microsoft - are announced big plans for the future of hybrid cloud connectivity. Through one of their most recent announcements, regarding a new partnership with Australian-based NEXTDC, both consumer accessibility and connectivity will both see massive technical improvements.

Who is NEXTDC?

With multiple datacenters located throughout Australia, including offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and more, NEXTDC is well known throughout the region as a leader in datacenter-as-a-service offerings. Despite their presence in the area, their collaboration with Microsoft is expected to enhance hybrid cloud functionality while simultaneously bolstering IT infrastructure within the designated areas.

Craig Scroggie, NEXTDC's CEO, spoke very enthusiastically about the new partnership. He was quoted as saying: "Microsoft's commitment to the Australian market addresses many concerns of Australian businesses on data sovereignty by ensuring their cloud platform is hosted locally, and accessed through a private, more secure connection. Through our collaboration with Microsoft, we can open up a myriad of new opportunities for hybrid cloud computing models. This relationship continues to strengthen Australia's nationwide carrier and vendor-neutral ecosystem."

ExpressRoute Service

The enhanced connectivity and accessibility of the Microsoft Azure platform will be delivered via NEXTDC's ExpressRoute system. At its most basic level, the Azure ExpressRoute protocol facilitates a fully privatized, high-speed and low latency fibre onnection through the Azure cloud architecture. This greatly enhances user speeds and performance while directly impacting network reliability as well as costs.

In reality, NEXTDC's Azure ExpressRoute service has many practical uses. Customers can use it to bolster interaction between information stored in a datacenter and that which is stored in the cloud or to integrate cloud-based functionality with internal software packages. Alternately, Azure ExpressRoute can simply be used as a way of enjoying affordable, reliable and lightning fast Internet. NEXTDC's Azure ExpressRoute services is expected to be rolled out in the second quarter of 2015.

Gaining Momentum

The recent collaboration with Microsoft is the only thing that NEXTDC has going for them. Their partnership with Veeam's Cloud Provider Program, VCP, was finalized as of September 2014. This initiative is expected to strengthen promotional and marketing activities toward product resellers and service providers throughout Australia. That partnership has already paid dividends, as it played a key role in cultivating a 134% increase in datacenter revenues in the second half of 2014 for NEXTDC.

“The half-year ended December 2014 represents a pivotal period with NEXTDC generating its first positive EBITDA as well as operating cash flows. We are starting to see the benefits of the inherent leverage of the company’s scalable infrastructure start to flow through to earnings and operating cash flows.” CEO Craig Scroggie said.

To find out more information regarding any of NEXTDC's products or service offerings, visit their website at www.nextdc.com. For more information about Microsoft Azure, interested parties can visit their website at www.azure.microsoft.com.