Global edge data center solutions company, EdgeConneX, now allows German customers to connect to Microsoft Azure cloud hosting services by offering the Azure ExpressRoute service in EdgeConneX’s Munich Edge Data Center.
The carrier neutral EdgeConneX Munich facility now acts as a direct edge cloud onramp node from which users can establish securedand scalable links to Microsoft cloud-based services, including Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
“Historically, local enterprises in Munich wanting direct, private connectivity to Microsoft Azure had to connect to the nearest cloud on-ramp node in Frankfurt, which is over 400 kilometers away,” said Phillip Marangella, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of EdgeConneX. “This impacted the cost, performance, and reliability of applications, ultimately resulting in limited adoption of Cloud services. By providing customers local access to the cloud in Munich via Azure ExpressRoute at EdgeConneX, customers can enjoy all the benefits of the Cloud with a secure, dedicated and local access solution that simultaneously optimizes performance and reduces costs.”
Cloud Applications, Content
With the new Azure ExpressRoute site now available in this data center in Munich, Germany, EdgeConneX customers already located in the local EdgeConneX data center can order a cross connect to privately access all Microsoft cloud services available through the global Azure platform.
All other enterprises located in the greater Munich area can also connect to the local Azure ExpressRoute site at this data center. They would then have to use the various metro Ethernet solutions offered by their local carriers to connect back to the EdgeConneX data center, or other ExpressRoute partners offering connectivity to the Munich site.
“Manageability and network performance are often the largest inhibitors to cloud adoption or migrations,” said Ross Ortega, Partner Program Manager, Microsoft Azure Networking at Microsoft. “Through Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute sites like the one at the EdgeConneX Munich data center, we help enhance the performance and user experience for local enterprises accessing cloud applications, content, or services on the Microsoft global network.”
The announcement follows the news, brought by Bloomberg last October, of private equity company EQT AB showing interest in buying data center company EdgeConneX for at least $2.5 billion. According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter have declared that EQT is discussing buying the Herndon, Virginia-based company from investors including Providence Equity Partners.
