Escaping the internet with CloudNet

Most people might assume that the cloud and the internet are inextricably linked. In particular, most would assume that the cloud is totally dependent upon the internet for its very existence. But that is not necessarily the case.

And it is a factor that has been hit upon, and is being exploited, by London-based Exponential-e and its new service, CloudNet. This is a business-class fibre connection that comes bundled with both the internet and direct, private access to multiple cloud services with a single End-to-End SLA.

The target for the company is to offer users better security for their cloud services by offering them the option to bypass using the internet. For many, accessing cloud services via the Internet is still considered too risky.

CloudNet resolves this with simple, free-to-connect private connections from company offices or datacentres straight into a range of pay-as-you-go cloud services. The cloud connections bypass the Internet, thereby negating serious business concerns regarding data security and Internet performance issues.

Exponential-e has achieved this by integrating its cloud infrastructure with its own UK network. This allows it to offer multiple private connections to various cloud services over a single 100 or 1000Mbps fibre connection - the same fibre connection it delivers business Internet services on. 

It is the company’s view that standard Internet connections are no longer robust enough for businesses, as witnessed in the consumer market with triple-play entertainment packages.

As well as pitching at large enterprises, Exponential-e has designed the CloudNet services to cater for Channel Partners, allowing them to further enhance their value proposition by offering cloud services to complement the existing services they offer their clients.

comments: “This is a game-changing cloud-network innovation that resolves the data security and privacy concerns many companies have regarding the adoption of cloud services,” said Lee Wade, Exponential-e CEO.  “In addition, accessing cloud services via the Internet is not acceptable for business critical applications anymore.  Cloud and network technology has surpassed the Internet.  Two years from now, all service providers will adopt this approach to internet and cloud service provision.”

The company sees this as delivering the agility and flexibility the cloud has long promised, without any of the previous security and data privacy concerns end-users have had about cloud technology. It sees itself providing the dynamic agility businesses need to react to fast-changing markets, with an elastic network connection that can scale up or down on demand as well as be cost effective.