South Africa-based CMC Networks announced on Tuesday it has launched a new infrastructure as a service (IaaS) solution that offers edge computing cloud services to enterprises across Africa.
The solution, CMC Cloud, provides a decentralised edge infrastructure that promises lower latency and bandwidth, as well as better performance of apps and digital services, by bring workloads closer to the end user.
Apart from the edge-computing aspect, CMC Cloud offers services such as Carrier Ethernet, MPLS, multi cloud connect, and managed security services. The cloud solution is also tied in with CMC’s SD-WAN, SDN and NFV packages.
CMC Networks says CMC Cloud is particularly suitable for real-time applications using transactional data, video streaming, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Meanwhile, the IaaS model gives businesses access to virtual servers, storage, and networking infrastructure on a flexible, scalable and agile basis, which saves the need to invest in physical hardware.
CMC Networks CEO Marisa Trisolino said that the edge cloud solution is “purpose-built” for the 51 African countries that the operator currently serves.
“We understand local needs and challenges across markets, and our new IaaS offering is providing tailored solutions to address the specific requirements of African businesses,” Trisolino said in a statement.
Trisolino also said the cloud service makes it simple for local and international businesses to enter and expand across African markets by overcoming data sovereignty laws which can otherwise limit cloud adoption. The cloud service stores and processes data within country borders to comply with country-specific legal and regulatory requirements regarding data storage and privacy, which is especially crucial for for sectors such as finance and healthcare.
“We want to remove the barriers to cloud adoption, simplifying and accelerating the growth of Africa’s digital economy,” Trisolino said.
CMC Networks CTO Geoff Dornan added that the cloud service, when combined with the company’s network footprint and app-optimised core routing, promises a “holistic approach” to digital transformation for African organisations.
“Customers can easily adjust computing resources to meet changing business demands while optimising performance with smooth and responsive access to applications and data,” he said. “The flexibility of CMC Cloud helps in scaling resources in accordance with demand, making it a cost-effective solution for start-ups, SMEs, and large enterprises alike.”