Alibaba is targeting cloud leaders AWS, IBM, Microsoft and Google with its Marketplace Alliance Program.
Aliyun, Alibaba’s cloud computing arm launched MAP, a global partnership program providing access to its suite of cloud services and international partners.
The first partners in the program include Intel, Singtel, Meraas, Equinix, PCCW, Towngas and LINKBYNET, giving it a spread of influential global partners.
The partnerships will give Aliyun the ability to reduce infrastructure costs, improve networking efficiency and to optimise cloud solutions. The tactic of not building new data centres allows the company to save money while simultaneously allowing it to localise its cloud offering to open up new markets.
The company is expected to add more partners in the future which will help to boost its ability to compete with the likes of Amazon.
Chris Sharp, VP, cloud innovation, Equinix, said: "Worldwide adoption of cloud services continues to rise, with Asia representing one of the fastest-growing cloud markets in the world."
"Our goal at Equinix is to provide on-demand and direct access to multiple clouds and multiple networks seamlessly around the globe. By joining MAP and offering access to its cloud services on Cloud Exchange, we are one step closer to fulfilling this goal, enabling our multi-national customers the ability to expand their cloud-based applications across Asia, in a secure, direct manner."
