Benefits of Multi-Cloud Connectivity, with Michael Glynn of Console Connect

Benefits of Multi-Cloud Connectivity, with Michael Glynn of Console Connect

Key Points:

• From the team at PCCW Global, Console Connect is the one of the world’s first global carrier grade, software-defined interconnection® platform, designed to make business connectivity as simple and accessible as possible.
• Multi-cloud connectivity enables teams to connect multiple cloud instances for streamlined network management and redundancy.
• CloudRouter®, Console Connect’s leading Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) product, enables users to create multi-cloud networks instantly and offers a PAYG pricing structure.
• Search Cloudscene to find interconnection platforms like Console Connect for streamlined cloud, data centre, SaaS, IoT and NaaS management.

Globally, businesses are producing and transmitting more data than ever before. Rapid technological advancements, the growing popularity of remote work and the desire for instant, robust connectivity have culminated in the need for ultra-flexible network solutions. For expanding companies, a single cloud instance can no longer support the needs of modern business operations, leaving many enterprises to seek out multi-cloud connectivity.

We sat down with Michael Glynn, Senior Vice-President of Digital Automated Innovation at PCCW Global, to discuss private multi-cloud connectivity and its many benefits. In the interview, we touch on Console Connect’s Network as a Service (NaaS) product CloudRouter® and explore why businesses turn to interconnection platforms for network management, visibility and on-demand deployment.

 

What is Multi-Cloud Connectivity?

Multi-cloud connectivity offers enterprises a secure and cost-effective way of moving their data between different cloud environments. Multi-cloud solutions allow users to sync separate cloud instances, data centres and enterprise locations, and even mobile SIM/eSIM cards to store information in multiple locations. This network solution enables businesses to collaborate easily with colleagues or clients, provides robust data security and offers significant cost savings. Because of these advantages, many firms seek multi-cloud solutions to streamline operations and expand their network.

According to Mr Glynn, “More and more enterprises are looking for a multi-cloud solution for full redundancy but also cost-cutting data chargers between a multi-cloud environment… Enterprise customers need to move traffic from one cloud instance to another seamlessly, but if they’re doing it over the public internet, then that can create a lot of security, costs and latency issues. Using private connectivity can also reduce egress charges in a multi-cloud environment.”

An example of multi-cloud connectivity could be as follows: A company uploads all their information to Google Cloud, stored in a data centre in Sydney. As a backup, they also transfer their data to another cloud provider in Singapore. Multi-cloud connectivity connects these two cloud instances, so data is automatically stored and directly retrievable from Sydney and Singapore.

 

Benefits of Multi-Cloud Connectivity

Multi-cloud connectivity offers myriad benefits to enterprises. Redundancy is one of the primary advantages as it empowers teams with a fast and reliable network and provides a better customer experience. Businesses are vulnerable to technological disruptions that may compromise their network without redundancy. Multiple cloud and data instances mean operations can continue seamlessly if one entry point is unavailable by accessing data through a redundant cloud instance.

As Mr Glynn says, “Larger enterprise customers are moving towards a multi-cloud environment, some are even looking at three different types of clouds in multiple regions around the world.” He explains that multi-cloud connectivity is crucial for multinational companies as it enables them to instantly access information and data from clients or colleagues in other countries. “We find a lot of our multi-cloud customers work in multinational environments, so they need to make sure the cloud is backed up in several regions at all times,” he says.

Another key advantage to multi-cloud is security. Multi-cloud networks create private connections between different cloud instances rather than linking each point through the public internet. Not only does this improve data privacy, but it also increases data transmission speed. Sending data through a private network means enterprises don’t have to compete with traffic from other companies or individuals, so information can instantly transfer from one point to another.

 

Working with Console Connect

While many providers supply multi-cloud solutions, Console Connect offers a unique value proposition. Console Connect is one of the only on-demand, Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), interconnection platforms that is underpinned by its own global network infrastructure. The Console Connect platform automates a network with over 70 different cable systems around the world, allowing users to instantly select multi (QoS) class of services throughout the network. Because they own the architecture, they can provide customers with faster, more secure, and less expensive connections through their innovative CloudRouter®.

CloudRouter® enables clients to create a ‘mesh’ multi-cloud network linking their different cloud instances, data centres, IoT devices, SaaS applications and more. Users, existing and new, can log onto the platform and instantly build a virtual network in over 60 countries with a couple of clicks.

Mr Glynn explains, “The difference between our CloudRouter® and other solutions is that we run a fully meshed global network and we manage the underlying network infrastructure. So, when customers use our network, we guarantee no traffic contention… It’s like having your own lane on the highway. We ensure that when customers order bandwidth, they have no contention, and we can guarantee the availability of that bandwidth because it’s on our own network.”

Businesses can create global network connectivity at any time and for any duration (as little as one hour) and only pay for the time they are connected. “This makes connectivity available to enterprises via a familiar cloud-like consumption-based model. Traditionally, a carrier would offer a six or twelve-month contract, but with Console Connect, you can turn it on or off through our platform in under two minutes and only pay for the connection that’s turned on or via API. Console Connect is an API-first platform for our customers that wish to purchase and manage on-demand connectivity and reporting via API,” Mr Glynn says.

The flexibility and interconnectivity offered by Console Connect and CloudRouter® are unparalleled. As more businesses recognize the importance of diverse, redundant connectivity, multi-cloud solutions will become more crucial to daily operations. Leveraging an industry leading NaaS interconnection platform like Console Connect equips teams with the support, insight and bandwidth required to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.

 

Think Console Connect could be right for your business?

Discover what they can do for your team today. Visit their website or Cloudscene profile to learn more about multi-cloud connectivity, CloudRouter® and the many other services available through Console Connect.

 

 

Contributor: Michael Glynn, Senior Vice President, Digital Automated Innovation, PCCW Global.

Michael leads Console Connect, PCCW Global’s Digital Automated Interconnection Platform. His remit includes commercial, network, development, partnerships, and overall market strategy. Prior to joining PCCW Global in 2019, Michael worked for several telecom and SaaS players. Most notably, he is a founding member of ActivePort, Megaport and Superloop and held senior sales roles with the likes of Pacnet, Vocus and Pipe Networks. He has a total of 23 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry and is based in Sweden.