Software defined cloud interconnects (SDCI) provide private network connectivity between enterprises and public cloud service providers (CSPs). SDCIs pre-provision physical connectivity from their hubs to public cloud service providers, internet service providers (ISPs), and network service providers (NSPs). They serve as aggregators and intermediaries to quickly provision logical connectivity to cloud service providers and complement this with billing, monitoring/management, security, and administrative functions. For both performance and business continuity reasons, SDCI can be employed by enterprises with multi-cloud architecture.
Gartner defines strategic cloud platform services (SCPS) as standardized, automated, public cloud offerings integrating infrastructure services (e.g., computing, network and storage), platform services (e.g., application, data and value-added services such as AI/ML) and transformation services (resources to help customers adopt cloud-oriented IT delivery models). Although owned by the service provider, infrastructure and platform services may be hosted in providers’ infrastructures or customers’ data centers. Services should be elastically scalable, metered by use, and consumable via web-based interfaces and programmable APIs. Transformation programs may be delivered by automated, self-service interfaces, and managed interactions facilitated by account teams/partners.