Verizon expands cloud services to Europe

Verizon promises a 'new era' in cloud computing

Verizon Business has enhanced its datacentre in Amsterdam with a view to increasing the type and level of services it offers to European customers.

The company claimed that the datacentre is now in a position to offer cloud-based on-demand computing services, and will provide the reassurances of security, regulatory compliance, scalability and performance.

Verizon announced a similar service earlier this year in the US, and is set to launch in the Asia Pacific region later in 2009.

"With the activation of our Amsterdam facility, our customers can take advantage of a new era in cloud computing, using the location that makes the most sense for their business," said Stuart Curzon, group vice president for international sales at Verizon Business.

"Verizon Business offers what we believe is an unsurpassed degree of security, coupled with guaranteed performance and all the efficiencies that come with on-demand IT."

Customers access the service through a web portal which provides an overview of their needs and consumption. Verizon said that this would help firms avoid over-paying for capacity, while remaining prepared for unexpected capacity peaks.

Keeping the datacentre local to Europe will ensure that any data handled by European companies remains within safe-harbour privacy frameworks, according to Verizon.

Customers can opt for extra security services, including identity and access management, intrusion detection and network/vulnerability assessments.