Dimension Data Rolls Out Global Cloud Services

Dimension Data unveiled a comprehensive range of cloud services aimed at making it easier for companies to accelerate their adoption of cloud computing.

Global provider Dimension Data is based in Johannesburg South Africa and  is a specialist IT services and solution provider with operations in 51 countries.  In June 2011 the company acquired cloud and managed hosting solutions provider OpSource to serve as the foundation for its Cloud Solutions Business Unit. The Dimension Data Cloud Services offering enables organizations to embrace cloud models quickly, securely and cost-effectively.

Cloud Suite

Dimension's Compute-as-a-Service (CaaS) solutions package virtual servers and storage and provide them as a service in both shared (public) and dedicated (private) environments. The cloud suite offers CaaS via public, private, hosted private, and provider (white-label) models, differentiated by how the cloud is delivered, where the infrastructure resides and how it is priced. Private and provider CaaS models are hosted at the customer data center, while public, hosted private or provider  CaaS models are delivered through Dimension Data facilities. The company partners with Equinix to host its infrastructure across a global footprint of IBX data centers.

"Although the adoption of cloud services will grow over the upcoming years, organisations have varying requirements, assets and expertise to throw into the cloud pot. Some organizations want a fully-managed service while others may want to build their own," said Chris Lewis, Group Vice President International, Telecom & Networking at research firm IDC.  "As companies evolve their cloud thinking, they will aim for a balance between automation and control - inevitably ending up in some form of flexible hybrid cloud solution but, most importantly, without disrupting service or processes."

Managed Cloud Platform

The suite of Cloud Services are delivered on Dimension Data's Managed Cloud Platform (MCP), a fully-managed cloud delivery platform. Comprised of cloud infrastructure (servers, storage, networking, virtualization and operating system software) and its Cloud Control management system MCP can be hosted within a client data center or at Dimension Data. Dimension Data is a large reseller of VCE Vblocks using Cisco, EMC and VMware products, and also uses products from Dell, HP, and NetApp.

The CloudControl management system gives operational control and automation of cloud resource provisioning, orchestration, administration and billing.  The software is based on the OpSource cloud management system and was further developed for use across public and private cloud environments with a common framework for management.

"Our clients realize the transformational potential of cloud computing, whether it’s moving into new markets, launching new products, or improving IT efficiency," said Steve Nola, CEO of Dimension Data’s Cloud Solutions Business Unit. "They’re also aware that migrating to the cloud is complex, with significant implications to their business across operations and IT. Our Cloud Services are designed to help clients reduce cost, move faster and manage risk effectively."