EdgeConneX's Phoenix customers now have a direct path into Microsoft's cloud services via private connections.
EdgeConneX is offering services, such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Dynamics, in its Phoenix Edge Data Center (EDC) using Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute. The carrier neutral EdgeConneX Phoenix facility now serves as a direct edge cloud on-ramp node that enables customers to create secure, scalable and affordable links to Microsoft's services.
With Azure ExpressRoute site now available in Phoenix, 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.
Other enterprises located in the greater Phoenix area can also connect to the local Azure ExpressRoute site by using the various metro Ethernet solutions offered by their local carrier to connect back to the EdgeConneX data center or other ExpressRoute partners offering connectivity in Phoenix.
EdgeConneX serves the Phoenix metropolitan area from the EDC that is located near the Arizona State University Campus in Tempe, which is less than 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. The EDC was purpose-built and strategically located to provide a secure colocation facility for customers that deliver their content and applications to local-market end-users.
Arizona’s generous tax incentives for large data center customers and low risk for natural disasters, makes the state an ideal location for large customer deployments. Phoenix has become one of the nation's fastest growing data center markets.
"The Phoenix metropolitan area has one of the fastest growing populations in the country, which in turn is attracting many new and established enterprise and technology companies to establish large front and back-office operations, call centers and distribution hubs in the area," said Aron Smith, vice president for interconnection product management at EdgeConneX in a statement. "By providing these companies local private access to the cloud in Phoenix via Microsoft 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."
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Colocation facilities are taking on added importance as enterprises embark on their digital transformations, which has accelerated over the past eight months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Enterprises and service providers are moving into colocation facilities so they can connect to the cloud, to IoT applications and services, and to other enterprises and service providers.
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Herndon, Virginia-based EdgeConneX bills itself as one of the first global edge data center providers. It has 40 data centers that are operating in 31 markets across North America, South America and Europe. It also has 222 small points-of-presence inside of office buildings and at the same time has provided hyperscale providers with more than 100 megawatts of space. EdgeConneX was founded in 2009, and then it proceeded to build its first 23 data centers in 24 months, which were mainly 1 or 2 megawatts each.
According to Crunchbase, EdgeConneX has raised a total of $122 million with a Series D round in August of 2017.