Qtel Cloud to Fuel Business Success across Qatar

Qtel today announced the launch of enhanced Qtel Cloud services, a cloud computing service that will provide IT software and infrastructure services to businesses across Qatar on an outsourced basis, tailored to their specific needs.

Unveiled at QITCOM 2012, Qtel Cloud services will leverage the strength and reliability of the Qtel Data Centre – the most advanced and reliable in the region – to deliver on-demand IT services for enterprises.

The cloud – a network of virtual remote servers to store, manage, and process data – is the next stage of evolution in Information & Communication Technology (ICT), providing a means through which all hardware functions are delivered as services wherever and whenever a business needs them. Qtel is working with many of the world's leading companies to supply the most advanced and flexible service of its kind ever delivered in Qatar.

Qtel Cloud will transform the role of IT in any company. There is no need to invest in costly infrastructure; data storage and software licenses. These services can be purchased individually, when required. Offering a flexible, secure and economically viable, fully managed service, Qtel Cloud will enable businesses to focus on their core business without the distractions of purchasing, installing, operating, monitoring and continuously managing their IT services.

Among the services being premiered at QITCOM, are Qtel Virtual Dedicated Servers and Managed Storage (also known as Infrastructure-as-a-Service).

Qtel Virtual Dedicated Servers are virtual servers that can be leased to business customers. Service options are available in a variety of packages catering to different computing power, memory and storage requirements.

Managed Storage services gives customers access to cloud storage on a per terabyte basis including hard disk management and maintenance.

In addition to Virtual Dedicated Servers and Managed Storage, Qtel Cloud offers a portfolio of four enterprise level office communication applications (known as Software-as-a-Service) as a fully managed service, allowing businesses to acquire and configure software services as and when they need them.

Hosted Microsoft Exchange provides for e-mail, calendars, contacts and tasks with support for mobile and web-based access to the data with a 1 GB mailbox per user.

With Hosted Microsoft SharePoint, users can manage and provision Intranet portals, extranets and websites, manage documents and files, use collaboration spaces and social networking tools, conduct enterprise search and business intelligence, integrate processes and information, and use third-party developed solutions.

Real-time secure instant messaging allows for PC to PC audio, "click to communicate," and data sharing, all enabled by Hosted Microsoft Unified Communications.

Hosted Microsoft LiveMeeting is a enterprise-grade web conferencing service that employees can utilise to conduct online meetings, sharing applications, presentations and a virtual whiteboard. Via Lync, an online sharing application that is part of this service, users can connect with Lync users in other organisations and conduct online meetings with an integrated conferencing capability that allows up to 250 people to participate in one online meeting.

The only pre-requisite for all of these Qtel Cloud services is a secure Internet connection over ADSL, MPLS or Fibre.

Purchasing and maintaining an IT infrastructure is one of a company's most expensive investments. Now, with Qtel Cloud, instead of having to purchase costly and space-consuming servers and storage, both small and large businesses will be able to buy these data hosting and management resources as a fully managed service.