Roundup: Microsoft, Iomart, Equinix, Peak 10

Here’s our review of some of this week’s news in the data center industry:

Iomart acquires EQSN.  Iomart announced that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of EQSN.  EQSN is a Glasgow based provider of managed services with two UK data centers in Glasgow and Edinburgh and one in Boston. “The addition of EQSN to the business is a strong strategic and cultural fit and will consolidate our position as a leading player in the managed hosting sector," said Angus MacSween, Iomart CEO. "The Group will remain focused on providing practical, cost-effective solutions to customers’ IT needs. Customers increasingly demand reliable IT infrastructure-as-a-service as the need for a scalable and flexible way of working grows; with EQSN’s expertise, iomart is even better placed to deliver this."

Equinix launches online instant test tool.  Equinix (EQIX) launched an online instant test tool with Compuware (CPWR) to help e-commerce providers ensure their sites' performance will deliver during the busiest shopping days of the year. The site uses Compuware's Gomez application performance management solution. The instant test tool evaluates the performance of e-commerce and other digital media websites against up to four other URLs, which could include competitors, industry leaders or other pages on a specific website. Research shows that 40 percent of consumers will not wait more than three seconds for a page to load before leaving a website, and this expectation is only increasing. The free instant test is available at: http://www.gomez.com/my-benchmark/partner-equinix/

Multiple customer wins for Peak 10.  Data center operator and managed services provider Peak 10 recently announced several customers had selected the company for services.  Peak 10 announced it is delivering premier data center services to Savant Learning Systems, a Nashville-based company that specializes in developing and delivering powerful online education programs. The company will be served out of Peak 10's Nashville data center. Peak 10 also announced it is delivering data center services to HedgeFacts LLP, a leading provider of accounting, portfolio management, and performance and risk analytics for the alternative investment community. HedgeFacts is utilizing Peak 10’s hosting services, in the Cincinnati facility. “We chose to work with Peak 10 for its best-in-class facility and quality services to customers,” said Shelby Baird, director of technology and support services at HedgeFacts. “Peak 10 adds value to our expanding business by providing us with reliable access to world-class data center facilities with robust security infrastructures and redundant network pathways, allowing us to confidently focus on other strategic initiatives critical to our growth and success.”  Finally, Peak 10 announced it is delivering data center services to eQHealth Solutions Inc., a healthcare management company that provides a wide range of effective solutions to its clients. eQHealth will use hosting and outbound Internet and Metro Ethernet services from Peak 10's Tampa, Florida data center.

Possibility of a Microsoft Data Center in South Korea.  The South Korea Herald reports that a Microsoft senior executive met South Korea‘s telecommunications regulator on Thursday to discuss ways to expand ties with South Korea by collaborating on new businesses that may include building a data center. In recent weeks several business leaders have visited the country, including Google's Eric Schmidt and Qualcomm Chairman Paul Jacobs.  Microsoft's international business president Jean Philippe Courtois met with Choi See-joong, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission.  The two discussed investment opportunities and ways to collaborate with Korean companies. Microsoft said it is positively considering building and operating a data center in South Korea.