Matthew Weinberger

November 30, 2011

2 Min Read
8x8 Now Offering Microsoft Windows Cloud Servers

8x8

Cloud “communications and computing” solution provider 8×8 has announced the addition of Windows Cloud Server services to its portfolio. The goal is to enable enterprises of all sizes to extend their Windows network infrastructure to the cloud with virtual private servers.

Rather than invest critical time and money in new hardware, 8×8 says in its press release, it’s far more efficient to go with Windows Cloud Server and instantly gain access to more storage, memory and bandwidth that’s all manageable from a single web-based dashboard.

“While other providers are head down building solutions for software developers, 8×8 is focused on bringing user-friendly cloud server technologies such as snapshots, cloning, availability zones and hourly billing to conventional IT groups,” said General Manager of Hosting Solutions at 8×8 Andy Schwabecher in a prepared statement.

Of course, 8×8 is promoting the usual cloud benefits as unique selling points of its Windows Cloud Server solution, too: it’s paid by the hour (starting at $0.12/hour) or the month (starting at $49/month), requires no contracts, is scalable and each virtual server is upgradable, it’s fast and secure, and even uses IPv6.

While 8×8 never says so in as many words, it seems likely that this technology came out of its acquisition of Zerigo earlier in 2011. Zerigo specialized in — wait for it — virtual private cloud servers. And at that point, 8×8 was heavily hyping how Zerigo expanded its cloud play in the SMB space.

Now, Zerigo also added DNS and maintenance technology for cloud servers to 8×8’s portfolio, among other things. We’ll be watching closely for more clues as to how this all comes together.

On a final note: That offhand remark from 8×8’s Schwabecher about “other providers” leads me to believe that his company has no interest in getting into the platform-as-a-service (PaaS) marketplace. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who thinks it may be getting overcrowded.

 

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