Rising digitalisation is increasing the need for IT services and the flexible availability of cloud, computing and storage capacities. Services purchased from existing cloud offers only cover the specific needs of the Swiss ERI system to a limited extent. This holds all the more true for the possibility of further development, security, performance and governance. That’s where SWITCH Cloud comes in, complementing the cloud computing market. For more than 35 years, SWITCH has worked as a digitalisation partner with the Swiss education, research and innovation community, meaning the foundation is highly familiar with the specific needs of this community due to years of experience. The first projects on SWITCH Cloud are planned for implementation in the second half of 2023.
Unique cooperation model
More than anything, Visho Jesudasan, Head of Sourcing, Architecture and Operations at SWITCH, is proud of the special nature of SWITCH Cloud: “Users of our cloud solution have access to a unique cooperation model where they can contribute current and future challenges to designing and evolving SWITCH Cloud.”
In the interest of the ERI system
SWITCH Cloud sets high benchmarks in legal certainty, data sovereignty and data protection. It is under the complete control of the SWITCH foundation on behalf of its beneficiaries. The cloud solution is operated and developed further in Green’s ISO-certified data centres in Schlieren and Lupfig using state-of-the-art technology. It runs on IBM hardware technology. The redundant operation at two Swiss sites boasts high performance, high availability and flexible scalability.
Competence at all levels
SWITCH works as part of a strategic partnership with Phoenix Systems AG to implement and operate the SWITCH Cloud. Green and IBM are both long-standing technology partners of Phoenix. While Phoenix provides the highly automated infrastructures of the SWITCH Cloud, SWITCH is responsible for the cloud services based on it along with overall operation. The foundation is also a personal point of contact for customers and develops the cloud further with them to suit their requirements. It offers integration support and customer-oriented services. The close partnerships SWITCH maintains with Phoenix Systems AG, Green and IBM mean that users are offered maximum technical expertise at all levels.
