Also adds space in government-backed public sector data centres IBM has announced the expansion of its investment in Europe with several new cloud data centres in the UK. Tripling its data centre footprint in the UK, effectively creating the largest European footprint of cloud data centres in Europe and the largest commitment IBM Cloud has made to one country at a single point in time. Helen Kelisky (below), VP of Cloud IBM UK & Ireland, says it is to meet demand for digital transformation and cognitive intelligence.
IBM Cloud says that its customer list now includes more UK customers TUI, in addition to recent UK customers announced which include Travis Perkins, Shop Direct, Boots and Dixons. The move aims to meet growing client demand for digital transformation and cognitive intelligence, it says. It brings the IBM data centre number up to six in the UK; there are 16 total across Europe
"We are already among the most digitally connected countries in the world, with a globally successful digital economy worth more than £118billion a year and strong cyber security defences to protect consumers and business,” said Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture.
IBM also signed an agreement to lease space within Ark Data Centres in the UK, which will see the second of the four new cloud data centres fully operational in mid-2017. Ark is the joint venture partner with the UK Government delivering public sector data center services under the Crown Hosting Framework.