02 January 2018
ITPS is using Azure Stack on Lenovo’s ThinkAgile SXM6200 server. The installation is said to represent the first time “true” hybrid production-ready cloud services have become available on the global market.
IT services firm ITPS is said to have deployed the world’s first available Microsoft Azure Stack at its flagship data centre at Chester-le-Street, Durham.
Azure Stack is described as the first hybrid cloud solution acting as an extension to public cloud, giving end users a single management interface across both on-premises and Azure public environments.
ITPS says it now offers the only service of its kind currently on the market. It’s claimed the deployment will enable the company to offer cloud functionality within its data centre, while giving users the security and regulatory requirements that only on-premises deployments can provide.
ITPS says it will focus on meeting the demands of customers who wish to use an on-premises environment for critical applications, while using a public Azure option for small I/O workloads and other tasks.
“A large proportion of IT managers are still reluctant to move to public cloud due to confusion over the location of their data,” says ITPS operations director Paul Anderson. “With GDPR set to come in next year, this concern is growing. Azure Stack overcomes the problem by providing a consistent experience between public and private for a true hybrid experience. This allows us to offer a comprehensive cloud solution on a subscription basis to meet a substantial customer demand.”
ITPS purchased one 12 node Azure Stack installed on a Lenovo ThinkAgile SXM6200 server. The systems were manufactured at Lenovo’s European factory in Hungary, allowing them to arrive onsite within a week of build completion. The installation was carried out by Lenovo Professional Services which maintained the existing layout, cabling and system integrity at ITPS’ data centre. The appliances also arrived pre-configured for what was said to be a quick and easy setup.
