GoGrid Added to Equinix Cloud Exchange

Nearly a month after the launch of Equinix Cloud Exchange, the data center interconnection company has added GoGrid to its list of supported connections. The “advanced interconnection solution” was launched following Equinix forming a partnership with Microsoft (MSFT) to support Azure ExpressRoute in 16 markets around the world.

GoGrid signed on with Cloud Exchange to connect using its Cloud Bridge offering to provide customers with private access, high performance and scalability. According to the companies, GoGrid hopes to increase not only its market reach, but also its performance and security with direct connections to its public cloud services.

This latest agreement represents an expansion of an existing agreement with Equinix.

“As a company that specializes in cloud infrastructure and open data services, we understand the many intricacies that are incorporated into developing successful cloud strategies. The Equinix Cloud Exchange simplifies the process of establishing hybrid cloud deployments by connecting enterprises and services providers — delivering the many benefits associated with cloud environments and private access,” said Mark Worsey, COO of GoGrid, in a prepared statement. “Expanding our relationship with Equinix enables our customers to use our cloud and Big Data solutions in a more secure, predictable, and high-performance manner via the combination of our Cloud Bridge option plugged into the Equinix Cloud Exchange.”

Currently, GoGrid is connected to Cloud Exchange via Equinix’s International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in Ashburn, Virginia, but the company plans to use that as a jumping off point to expand its connections via Cloud Exchange into Europe.

Equinix Cloud Exchange is available in 13 global markets, so there are plenty of opportunities for cloud providers such as GoGrid to expand its interconnections around the world. Equinix plans to add six more markets before the end of the year.

GoGrid joins a handful of other infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) providers that have partnered with Equinix for its Cloud Exchange interconnection solution. Others include Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute, Amazon Web Services DirectConnect and tw telecom. Last week, Level 3 Communications signed an agreement to integrate Cloud Exchange into its Cloud Connect Solutions ecosystem.

“The demand for private access and multi-cloud environments is continuing to increase with companies looking to implement easy-to-use, scalable and cost-effective cloud solutions,” said Jim Poole, vice president of Global Service Providers at Equinix, in a prepared statement. “Adding a highly regarded cloud service provider like GoGrid to the Cloud Exchange is a significant next step as we continue to build out the Cloud Exchange and solidify its impact on the advancement of cloud computing.”