Brussels, 26 April 2013 — Interoute, owner of Europe’s largest cloud services platform, has significantly expanded its data centre in Ghent. Following completion of the work, the facility can potentially accommodate 9,600 servers for hosting and colocation. Medium-sized businesses in particular want to store growing volumes of data and business applications in the cloud. They also need assurance that they comply with data storage legislation and regulations, which often means keeping data within their own country or the European Union.
With its state-of-the-art Ghent data centre, Interoute strengthens its offering and responds to growing demand for a flexible, reliable network of European data centres. Located in Merelbeke, the facility is strategically positioned in the heart of Flanders to meet demand for high-capacity data centres and cloud services. Customers already using it include Domo, Van de Velde and Eandis, alongside a Flemish energy supplier.
Interoute’s Ghent data centre is equipped with advanced, high-quality security systems designed to provide the highest level of protection. Access is controlled through biometric fingerprint verification and monitored remotely, around the clock, from Interoute’s Network Operating Center. Multiple HD cameras also monitor the building inside and out. The facility is ISO 27001 certified and has an excellent Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.4. Businesses using the Ghent facility also benefit from Interoute’s broad connectivity portfolio, including Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), internet access, IP transit and Ethernet services. Through Interoute’s pan-European network, Ghent is directly connected to its other data centres, including Amsterdam, London, Paris and Frankfurt.
Disaster recovery and business continuity are also built in, with the option to transfer services directly to Interoute Brussels and the Point of Presence (PoP) data centre in Oostkamp if required.
Jan Louwes, Executive Vice President Enterprise Solutions at Interoute, says: “Businesses, especially medium-sized companies, increasingly need high-capacity data centres within Europe that can securely host critical data and applications. We are seeing particularly strong growth in activity in Ghent, Merelbeke and the surrounding area, from manufacturers as well as systems integrators, other IT service providers, biotechnology companies, public authorities and multinationals. This new Ghent data centre gives these organisations a flexible, secure home for their data and applications, with an ultra-low-latency fibre connection to Interoute’s entire pan-European network.”
Jan Dezutter, Sales Director at Interoute Belux, explains: “This investment demonstrates that Belgium is an important market for Interoute. It also reflects the accelerating development of data centres and cloud-based services in Flanders and Belgium. Ghent’s various urban development projects, which are expected to create around 200,000 m² of office and industrial space by 2020, encouraged us to address future demand for high-capacity data centres through a modular approach. These projects aim to attract high-tech businesses in fields such as biotechnology and green energy. By providing a data centre close by, we aim to meet local demand for a high-quality facility. The Ghent data centre connects us directly to other regional facilities in Brussels and Oostkamp, making us an ideal technical services partner for Belgian businesses seeking a twin or dual data centre strategy.”
Peter Demoor, IT Manager at Van de Velde, adds: “Moving parts of our server infrastructure to Interoute’s powerful, highly secure Ghent data centre was a logical step. We have been an Interoute customer for many years. We know that its ongoing investment in data centres and its pan-European network enables us to do what is best for our business, today and tomorrow.”
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