Rackspace has announced a new managed service model for delivering public cloud services that claims to aid businesses and developers in designing, managing, scaling and growing their cloud operations.
The managed cloud firm has rolled out two managed service levels: Managed Infrastructure and Managed Operations. Both service levels feature a ower total cost than companies managing cloud operations on their own.
Graham Weston, Rackspace co-founder and CEO, said: "The cloud market is evolving. More customers are looking for a trusted partner with specialised expertise to help manage their cloud. Rackspace is ideally positioned to lead this Managed Cloud segment of the market.
"Our new service levels will help businesses tap the power of the cloud without the pain of recruiting experts in dozens of complex technologies. We are the partner that will be with them every step of the way to make their cloud strategy successful."
In addition, Rackspace announced "developer +," a new programme for developers that offers services needed to build scalable applications. The programme enables developers to sample Rackspace Managed Cloud services and Fanatical Support.
The new Managed Infrastructure offers 24/7 access to human cloud engineers, architectural advice, security guidance, code development assistance and launch assistance.
The Managed Operations service level gives customers Fanatical Support and all the services included at the Managed Infrastructure level, plus additional proactive features such as a dedicated account manager, 24×7 availability monitoring and response, and management of common operating systems and application stacks.
Nigel Beighton, UK CTO Rackspace, said: "In an ideal world, cloud should always fit how organisations work and not the other way around. Unfortunately, the reality is that all too often companies are unaware of the sheer complexity of setting up, managing and keeping cloud projects running successfully. Yes, some companies have the large in-house operations teams to be able to implement fast, resilient cloud services, but we find the majority need much more than just the raw infrastructure; they need expertise and ongoing management of their cloud strategy that supports their business goals.
"In this way, developers can stay great at developing without having to run cloud services; IT departments can focus on adding real business value rather than managing cloud complexity; and businesses can concentrate on running and growing their businesses. This is what Managed Cloud is all about – the best infrastructure fit to business needs combined with specialised expertise and Fanatical Support."
Managed Infrastructure offers a service level rate of £0.0035 per GB/hr RAM, with a £35 per month minimum, plus standard infrastructure rates. Managed Operations offers a service level rate of £0.0150 per GB/hr RAM, with a £350 per month minimum, plus standard infrastructure rates.
The new services come as senior vice president of Products and Engineering Mark Interrante leaves Rackspace to join HP as the senior vice president of Engineering in HP’s Cloud business unit.
