As companies make increasing use of cloud (IP-based)
computing and server-based services such as SaaS, Verizon Business
believes that it has taken the principle to a new level with what
it claims is the industry’s most comprehensive on-demand,
cloud-based Computing as a Service (CaaS) solution.
The CaaS solution can be used for either Web-based or corporate
applications running over Verizon’s public IP network or its
MPLS-based private network, Private IP. The service is said to
enable mid-market and larger companies them to use a Web-based
portal to
employ computing resources in the quantities and duration dictated
by their business needs.
Verizon believes that customers will be able to access
enterprise-class computing services on an on-demand model, giving
mid-size firms in particular capabilities more on a par with larger
and better resourced players, something that could be a crucial
edge in today’s dynamic marketpla
Commenting on the significance of CaaS, Melanie Posey, research
director, Hosting & Telecom Services at IDC said, “CaaS’
combination of flexibility, security, performance and resiliency is
well positioned to serve certain enterprise requirements in a
nimble, next-generation fashion.”
In order to adress
cloud-based security issues built into the CaaS offering are
features such as secure connections to customer-provisioned
resources, as well as multi-tiered network with virtual firewall
and an audit trail for all changes. Customers can also opt for a
third tier of optional, add-on security services including identity
and access management, host intrusion detection, application
vulnerability assessment, network application assessment and
professional security services.
Verizon Business sees CaaS as ideal for new development
projects, major events, mergers and migrations so that
organisations can enable IT resources as and when required with
minimum disruption to the business. CaaS allows companies to do
internal charge-backs for resources consumed by individual
departments or business units and provides a foundation for IT
expansion. A real-time, self-service portal allows firms to manage
and provision dynamically physical and virtual servers, network
devices, storage, and backup services.
Available immediately in the U.S. and Europe, the CaaS offerings
are said to be designed to meet the stringent security and
performance requirements of users and will be supported by service
level agreements to ensure enterprise-class performance and server
provisioning.