Some view virtualization as a way to cut hardware costs by reducing the number of servers they need, but virtualization is so much more. It gives businesses an opportunity to modernize and expand their IT department’s role as a service provider to the rest of the organization. Most importantly, virtualization enables businesses to operate a more efficient infrastructure by replacing what had been multiple hardware servers with “virtual,” or software versions of those servers that run on a single machine.
One company that is a pioneer in virtualization services, 8x8 (News - Alert), Inc., a provider of cloud-based business communications and computing solutions, has recently signed an agreement with SoftBank Telecom Corp. In this agreement, 8x8 will license its subscription-based "Zerigo" enterprise cloud software in order to develop additional software for Softbank (News - Alert) to offer Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) services to customers. Initially, SoftBank will deploy these services in Japan, but plans to extend the roll out of services to the rest of Asia as well as Europe, the United States. and other major markets throughout the world.
“SoftBank is one of the most agile, successful telecom service providers in the world and the speed at which they move matches 8x8's similar culture of always leading rather than following the market,” said 8x8 Chairman & CEO Bryan Martin (News - Alert), in a statement.
Today, 8x8 leverages its patented software to deliver innovative SaaS and Infrastructure as IaaS solutions to SMBs and distributed enterprises. Its cloud services consist of VoIP business phone services, audio and video conferencing, hosted contact center and unified communications (UC) solutions. Specifically, 8x8’s cloud solutions include virtualized public cloud servers and enterprise cloud virtual data center hosting services, which reduce IT expenses, while enabling access to powerful functionality that increase productivity, flexibility and mobility.
This combination of the Zerigo software and VDI software will allow SoftBank to offer a suite of virtualized cloud services to its major enterprise customers using Vblock products from VCE, a leader in converged cloud infrastructure systems.
"SoftBank selected 8x8 after an extensive search of software providers based on 8x8's clear commitment to quality, scalability and reliability as well as flexibility and cost competitiveness," said Ken Miyauchi, director of The Board, SoftBank Telecom Corp.
Currently, SoftBank delivers voice and data transmission services for businesses and provides a comprehensive mobile Internet environment. It has earned a huge presence in the ICT market, with a synergy effect brought by the four SoftBank group telecom companies.
Martin continued, "SoftBank is pleased to partner with such a nimble, Silicon Valley company whose culture mirrors our own and whose experience in delivering cloud services will be invaluable in helping us to rapidly deploy similar services in Japan. We expect our customers will be delighted with these new offerings and we look forward to expanding the available markets in the near future."
Edited by Ashley Caputo