Colt has introduced DCNet as-a-service, enabling on-demand data centre interconnect services across Europe via a self-service portal. The launch of DCNet is part of Colt’s next generation network, which leverages software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualisation (NFV) capabilities to drive business efficiencies and an improved customer experience.
Colt’s elastic, on-demand and programmable network improves integration with cloud services, reduces lead times and builds on flexible commercial models while delivering a new set of improved SLAs. It will transform the user experience by improving self-service capabilities for real-time ordering, provisioning and service flexing.
The launch of DCNet as-a-service is the first step in the roll-out of the SDN-based network; the next step will be the extension of these capabilities into Asia in Q1 2016. Next year, Colt will leverage these capabilities to enable elastic connections between data centres, customer sites and cloud service providers. This will include APIs to provision services across third-party networks.
Carl Grivner, EVP of network services at Colt comments: “SDN will enable a major business model change for the telecoms industry and transform the way service providers interact with customers. Colt’s Novitas programme is not simply a technology upgrade, but a business transformation that will enable our customers to consume services in a way that is right for them. Our vision is to be the cloud access provider for the business sector, enabling customers to build and operate their network from anywhere.”
A selection of wholesale and enterprise customers in the finance and media verticals will be trialling the new capabilities in November. DCNet’s self-service portal is initially available for data centre interconnect services in 57 third party data centres in London, Paris and Frankfurt. This capability will be extended to over 150 data centres across Europe as well as Asia Pacific in early 2016.
Key benefits of DCNet as-a-service include:
· Portal based, consumption based commercials
· Service deployment in minutes (instead of days or weeks)
· Up to 10Gbps bandwidth
· Real-time bandwidth flexing
According to a recent study, over three-quarters (77%) of IT leaders believe that support during critical points in their business calendar is more important than ongoing support from service providers. Colt’s programmable network will give customers access to more flexibility as infrastructure services can be provisioned and modified in real-time and on-demand. This will support the digitisation of key industries, enabling businesses to focus on what matters most to them.
