OVHcloud Strengthens APAC Footprint with New Data Centers and Local Partnerships

JEFF LEE
PARTNER PROGRAM LEAD FOR APAC

OVHcloud operates 43 data centers across four continents, serving over 160 million customers in 140 countries. With 25 years of experience in the trusted cloud industry, the company prioritizes secure, innovative, and sustainable cloud services, particularly for partners developing solutions for end users. As a European hyperscaler, OVHcloud fully complies with GDPR to ensure data privacy and non-interference. Their proprietary water-cooling technology, achieving a PUE of 1.26 and WUE of 0.37 l/kWh, supports sustainability while ensuring fair pricing and high performance. Below are excerpts...

Which are the four global regions OVHcloud currently serves or targets? What is your target for Indian businesses?

OVHcloud operates across four global regions: North America, Europe, the APAC region (including both Asia and Australia), and India. With 43 data centers worldwide, our current focus is on the APAC region, where we've launched six new data centers in the past two years. In 2023, we opened a data center in Mumbai, and we now have two in Singapore and three in Sydney. For India, we recognize its rapid digital growth and aim to bring OVHcloud’s services closer to local customers. Our strategy involves working with partners to offer a wide range of solutions, including both public and private cloud services through our Bare Metal offerings. We are committed to supporting India’s digital transformation by providing core services tailored to the country’s needs, ensuring flexibility and choice for businesses undergoing rapid technological advancements.

Does your cloud services include CPU based service or GPU service also?

Yes, we offer both CPU- and GPU-based services based on customer demand. This aligns with our core belief in providing the freedom to choose. We offer a wide range of product suites and options, allowing customers to select what best fits their needs and helps them develop their solutions effectively.

Could you highlight some key VAS that OVHcloud offers specifically for the Indian market?

OVHcloud’s partner program focuses on collaboration, offering value-added services (VAS) in the Indian market. We don’t compete with our partners but rely on them to serve our mutual customers. Key services include cost-effective cloud migration and expert guidance for selecting optimal cloud solutions, especially for server optimization and cost efficiency. Our partners also provide AI solutions leveraging OVHcloud’s infrastructure. Additionally, we offer managed Kubernetes and over 80 other services. Our Mumbai data center supports data residency for customers requiring local data storage. With our French origins, OVHcloud is also GDPR-compliant in Europe, ensuring strong data protection. We maintain a strict no-access policy to customer data, offering clients full control over how and where their data is processed.

What is the size of your team in India?

We have a point of presence in Mumbai, where our data center operates in collaboration with a local partner. Some of our team members managing the data
 
center are based there. Additionally, we have a full- fledged team in Bangalore, comprising 60 professionals who form the backbone of our operations. They provide essential support across India and beyond, covering research and development, dedicated cloud solutions architecture, sales, our Startup Program, and customer support functions. Being based in Bangalore allows us to stay close to our clients and partners in India and offer them seamless support.

How well-defined your Indian channel policies are?

We collaborate closely with our channel partners, offering a comprehensive partner program. Initially, the program focused on value-added resellers and managed service  providers.  However,  at  the  start of last year, we revamped it to include specialized partner tracks, adding referral partners such as consulting companies. In our roadmap, we plan to include distributors in the future. Additionally, we've introduced an Elite partnership level, providing exclusive benefits, enhanced training specifically for partners, and co-marketing support. This approach aims to empower businesses within the cloud ecosystem and strengthen our partnerships.

What are your investment plans for India?

We are strategically expanding services in our Mumbai data center  and  strengthening  our  team for enhanced support. Our local presence and commitment to active listening ensure we stay aligned with the Indian market, allowing for regular program adjustments. Recognizing the value of collaboration, we've allocated a dedicated Marketing Development Fund (MDF) for joint marketing efforts with our partners in India. Additionally, we offer financial incentives on eligible products to drive mutual growth and success in the region.