Level 3 Communications is giving enterprise customers that use Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Office 365 via Azure ExpressRoute another connectivity option by adding the application to its Cloud Connect Solutions portfolio.
This new service option will deliver business customers a private, secure and reliable network connection to Office 365 that offers performance guarantees that can't be achieved via a public Internet connection.
By using the ExpressRoute for Office 365 service, enterprises can access all of their well-known Office 365 services, including Exchange Online, Office web applications, Skype for Business Online, OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online across Level 3's global network.
A key element of this service offering is connectivity options.
Depending on their particular needs, business customers will be able access Azure and Office 365 via a point-to-point Ethernet connection or any-to-any IP VPN connectivity.
To enhance network security and minimize network latency, Level 3 has colocated a network-based security gateway that not only performs the network address translation required by Microsoft, but also provides a carrier-grade firewall platform to enhance the secure connection into the VPN.
Level 3 will offers global connectivity to Microsoft Azure and Office 365 through seven Microsoft data centers: Amsterdam, Chicago, Dallas, London, Seattle, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C.
While providing connectivity to more cloud services has been an industry-wide growing trend, it's important for Level 3 as it looks to gain further market share in the enterprise services market -- one that's become a driver in its Core Network Services (CNS) revenue base.
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the service provider reported that Enterprise CNS revenue grew by 7.2 percent to $5.5 billion.
For more:
- see the release
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