Capita unveils Vblock-based private cloud platform

clouds and padlock

Capita IT Services has taken the wraps off a new Vblock-based pay-as-you-go private cloud offering, which is aimed at companies that want to take a hybrid approach to IT.

The IT services provider said Capita Private Cloud, which is hosted in the firm’s data centres, is designed for companies that want to adopt a mix of public and private cloud services.

Capita said it had used its close relationship with the tri-vendor VCE coalition, which counts VMware, Cisco and EMC as members, to develop a private cloud platform based on the three vendors' Vblock technology.

The latter consists of storage from EMC, Cisco’s networking technology and the compute power of VMware’s software to enable businesses to build their own private clouds.

As well as the platform, Capita customers will also have access to 2,000 pre-tested cloud applications via a self-service portal.

Andy Parker, deputy chief executive at Capita, said the platform combines the flexibility offered by public cloud services with the security of the private cloud.

“Clients we work with at Capita, from NHS trusts and local authorities through to retailers and manufacturers, have told us that they want the benefits of cloud but are concerned about security and complexity,” explained Parker.

“Capita Private Cloud takes that uncertainty away by offering a simple, cost-effective solution that customers can have access to within minutes.

“In addition, managing all cloud platforms together in Capita’s UK data centres guarantees data security and sovereignty - a key for many public or highly regulated companies, such as banks and pension providers,” he added.

Praveen Akkiraju, chief executive of VCE, said his firm’s technology makes it easier for firms to take advantage of all cloud has to offer.

“This partnership brings two strong industry leaders together to enable businesses to easily and securely migrate to the cloud, resulting in lower costs and higher business performance,” Akkiraju added.

Caroline Donnelly is the news and analysis editor of IT Pro and its sister site Cloud Pro, and covers general news, as well as the storage, security, public sector, cloud and Microsoft beats. Caroline has been a member of the IT Pro/Cloud Pro team since March 2012, and has previously worked as a reporter at several B2B publications, including UK channel magazine CRN, and as features writer for local weekly newspaper, The Slough and Windsor Observer. She studied Medical Biochemistry at the University of Leicester and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism at PMA Training in 2006.