HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE, APPLICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Alkira | February 17, 2023
Cloud networking pioneer Alkira has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Networking Competency status in the Network Connectivity category. The designation acknowledges that Alkira has demonstrated AWS technical expertise and customer successes as a Software as a Service (SaaS) network provider.
Alkira CEO and Co-founder, Amir Khan, said, "Alkira, recognized by AWS as a true network SaaS offering, is built for the cloud and consumed as a service with no hardware or software to install—ever." He added, "All you have to do is draw and deploy your network from our digital design canvas, and you’re up and running in no time."
(Source: Businesswire)
Alkira's fully automated global unified network infrastructure allows organizations to connect to AWS and Amazon Virtual Private Clouds via an intuitive point-and-click interface within minutes. Alkira's pay-as-you-go SaaS offering delivers agility, scale, and cost-effectiveness to organizations that want to connect, unify, and scale their network to AWS infrastructure. Alkira is available on the AWS Marketplace.
About Alkira
Alkira is regarded as a pioneer in cloud networking as a service. Their enterprise network is entirely cloud-based, connecting multiple clouds, sites, and users. The network is managed using familiar network administrator controls, policies, and security, and it can scale instantly as needed. This network is provided as a service, so there is no need to install new hardware, download software, or learn a new cloud architecture. Alkira's solution is trusted by Fortune 100 companies, leading system integrators, and global managed service providers.
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HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE, APPLICATION STORAGE
prnewswire | March 24, 2023
EdgeConneX®, the pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions, announces the successful execution of $3.3 billion in innovative sustainability-linked financing, which enables the development of critical digital infrastructure to support customers' global data center requirements. The significant scale of these transactions is also recognized by IJGlobal, a leading market intelligence firm for the energy and infrastructure finance industry, with the Digital Infrastructure Deal of the Year Award 2022 in the data center category.
In October 2022, EdgeConneX, the EQT-owned data center developer, reached financial close of a €2.4 billon sustainability-linked (re)financing EdgeConneX pan-EMEA data center portfolio of operational facilities across seven jurisdictions and provided CapEx facilities to support future developments. This financing is arranged across three tranches – a term loan, a CapEx facility, and a revolving credit facility, providing an optional line of credit if needed. Beyond consolidating EdgeConneX pan-EMEA portfolio, this deal allows it to transition from stand-alone project financing to a structured corporate debt package – thereby unlocking more flexibility and funding capacity to support anticipated growth across the region. In addition, this deal represents Europe's first data center platform financing and is rated as a pathfinder sustainability-linked portfolio financing.
Separately, in June 2022, funds managed by Ares Management's Infrastructure Debt strategy, committed a delayed draw sustainability-linked global debt facility to EdgeConneX. The debt facility commits up to $1 billion and can be used to fund the development and construction of EdgeConneX growing global development pipeline. In addition, the innovative funding regime in Euros and US dollars via a structured corporate debt package unlocks more flexibility and funding capacity to support EdgeConneX anticipated global growth.
Both facilities include sustainability-linked margin adjustments, whereby the interest rate payable is directly correlated to EdgeConneX achieving specific pre-determined sustainability targets. These targets align with EdgeConneX holistic ESG sustainability strategy, which includes a goal of becoming a carbon-, waste- and water-neutral data center provider by 2030 and developing and operating a data center platform powered by 100% renewable energy.
"We are honored by the IJGlobal Award distinction for our innovative financing structures that can be replicated globally," comments Joe Harar, Chief Financial Officer for EdgeConneX. "Sustainability is a necessity, and EdgeConneX has adopted sustainability principles across all aspects of our business. These financings leverage EdgeConneX Green Finance Framework and enable us to execute growth plans by reinforcing our commitment to delivering energy-efficient and innovative sustainable solutions for our customers anywhere in the world."
The greenfield element of these transactions wins EdgeConneX an IJGlobal award in this category in conjunction with the refinancings, which played a significant part in the deal and its reason for winning an award. The IJGlobal Awards took place in London on March 9, 2023, celebrating the best-in-class transactions and organizations across the international infrastructure and energy sectors.
EdgeConneX owns and operates 60+ data centers across 50 unique markets throughout 30 countries. The company's portfolio includes 200+ far edge and EdgePop deployments and 500+MW of capacity deployed and/or in development worldwide. Providing excellence and expertise across all deployment phases, EdgeConneX also specializes in build-to-suit data center facilities for Hyperscalers serving as the backbone of their cloud computing products for consumers globally.
About EdgeConneX
EdgeConneX, backed by EQT Infrastructure, part of the global investment organization EQT, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choices in location, scale, and type of facility, from Hyperlocal to Hyperscale. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere, and any scale data center services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Content, Cloud, Networks, Gaming, Automotive, SaaS, IoT, HPC, Security, and more. With a mission predicated on taking care of our customers, our people, and our planet, EdgeConneX strives to Empower Your Edge.
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HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE, APPLICATION STORAGE
Cologix | March 16, 2023
On March 15, 2023, Cologix, North America's premier network-neutral connectivity and hyperscale edge data center company introduced Amazon Outposts to its Vancouver data centers.
Amazon Outposts are now supported by Cologix's 42,000-square-foot VAN3 digital edge data center, which is the largest neutral data center in the area. Cologix's VAN2 digital edge data center offers secure AWS Direct Connect. The density of connecting possibilities and enterprise-grade infrastructure make this a great place to connect. Cologix, Vancouver's largest colocation provider, links to over 20 networks and hosts the Vancouver Internet Exchange's primary node at its VAN1 digital edge data center. All Cologix Vancouver data centers are ISO 27001 certified and HIPAA, SOC1, SOC2, and PCI compliant.
AWS Outposts clients in Cologix's Vancouver data centers can use AWS Direct Connect cloud onramps via Cologix Access Marketplace for quick, secure, on-demand, software-enabled interconnections to AWS cloud services. Customers can easily connect to the cloud, network, and other service providers in minutes using the self-service interface.
AWS Outposts centralize everything and have fully managed solutions bringing AWS infrastructure and services to almost any on-premises virtual or edge location for a continuous hybrid experience. Customers can develop once and deploy in the cloud or on-premise using AWS hardware/servers in Cologix data centers. On-premise developers can leverage cloud APIs and services to build applications on-premise. Outposts is suited for workloads that need low-latency access to on-premises systems, local data processing, storage, and a wide range of local AWS Region services.
Chris Heinrich, Chief Revenue Officer at Cologix, remarked, “We’re thrilled to bring AWS Outposts to our data centers in Vancouver.” He added, “Our customers and the Vancouver market as a whole will benefit from access to AWS capabilities within our Cologix facilities.”
(Source – GlobeNewsWire)
Peg Hallberg, Head of Product, at Cologix, stated, “This is a major addition to our offerings in Vancouver to ensure end-to-end connection to AWS services for Cologix customers.” She added, “We now provide Vancouver’s only colocation and connectivity solution with access to AWS Direct Connect cloud onramps and the ability to deploy to AWS Outposts.”
(Source – GlobeNewsWire)
About Cologix
Cologix connects cloud service providers, carriers, and a wide range of partners so that edge applications can be used all over Canada and the United States. Cologix accelerates clients' digital transformation with huge scale and specialized data center solutions. Cologix Access Marketplace offers rapid, dependable, self-service connectivity for scale and control. Its skilled local teams provide industry-leading service throughout the customers' digital infrastructure journey.
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