EdgeConneX teams up with Azure for private cloud offerings in its Munich data center

EdgeConneX is continuing to turn up cloud services at the network edge by offering the Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute service in its Munich data center.

The carrier neutral EdgeConneX Munich facility now serves as a direct edge cloud on-ramp node that enables customers to create secure, scalable and affordable links to Microsoft services, including Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Building on-ramps to cloud providers such as Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google has been a growing trend among SD-WAN vendors and telcos that offer SD-WAN. With workloads being disbursed across geographies and remote office locations, the ability to tap into applications such as Office 365 is a must have for most enterprises. Enterprises are also embracing cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings from cloud providers.

Amazon Web Services and Microsoft have both put on ramps into EdgeConneX's facilities, while Google has peered with it.

“Historically, local enterprises in Munich wanting direct, private connectivity to Microsoft Azure had to connect to the nearest cloud on-ramp node in Frankfurt, which is over 400 kilometers away,” said Phillip Marangella, chief marketing officer at EdgeConneX, in a statement. “This impacted the cost, performance, and reliability of applications, ultimately resulting in limited adoption of Cloud services. By providing customers local access to the cloud in Munich via 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.”

With Azure ExpressRoute site now available in Munich, customers already located in the local EdgeConneX data center can now order a cross-connect to privately access all Microsoft cloud services available through the global Azure platform. 

All other enterprises located in the greater Munich 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 to the Munich site.

“Manageability and network performance are often the largest inhibitors to cloud adoption or migrations," said Ross Ortega, partner program manager for Microsoft Azure Networking, in a statement. "Through Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute sites like the one at the EdgeConneX Munich data center, we help enhance the performance and user experience for local enterprises accessing cloud applications, content, or services on the Microsoft global network.”

Azure is generally available in 52 regions around the world, with plans announced for two additional regions. As part of its new managed services provider program, Azure has been partnering with SD-WAN vendors such as Aryaka while it also works with service providers, including CenturyLink.

RELATED: EdgeConneX fuels service providers of all stripes with data centers at the edge

Herndon, Virginia-based EdgeConneX bills itself as the preeminent global edge data center provider. 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.

In June, EdgeConneX announced it had launched local cloud on-ramp services for enterprises in the Memphis area by working with Megaport and Comcast Business.