IBM partners with Chinese Company to build Asia’s Largest Cloud Center

IBM, together with China-based Range Technology will join forces to build the largest and most advanced cloud data storage center in China. The 620,000-square-meter data storage center will be located at Langfang, Hebei province and construction will being in weeks. It is projected to complete in 2016 and will become the largest cloud storage industry base in Asia once completed.

“The data center offers the world-class infrastructure capabilities and advanced network based services to support the business growth of our clients,” said Madam Zhou Chaonan, Chairman, Range Technology Development Co., Ltd.

“This initiative plays a critical role in the economic development of China in light of the pressing demand for managed hosting in the areas of cloud computing and mobile devices,” she added.

IBM will provide the expertise in technology, training, solutions and data center design services while Range Technology will reach out to local governments and businesses for its cloud enterprise services. The collaboration will also help to improve Langfang City’s development, including transportation, e-government services and administration systems.

“Data centers have always been a critical part of IBM’s heritage as we own or manage over 8 million square feet of data centers for our clients. We have also designed and built over 30 million square feet for clients on a global basis,” said Steven Sams, vice president, IBM Site and Facilities Services in a statement.

“This new facility will leverage IBM’s data center innovation and resources to provide a cost-effective solution while providing the flexibility to meet the unpredictable changes in IT demand – whether it is from changes in IT technology or new business models such as cloud computing.”

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the market for China’s Data Center services reached US$667.1 million in 2009 and is forecast to grow an additional US$1.9 billion over the next five years. IBM has placed a strong footing in China’s cloud industry through this collaboration. Has the cloud war arrived in China?

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