Exabytes-MDeC pact to bring the cloud to MSC companies

• Collaboration to make cloud-hosting more accessible to SMEs
• Will help MSC Malaysia achieve its national cloud targets

WEB-HOSTING and cloud-hosting provider Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd has joined forces with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) to implement the MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative’s SaaS (Software as a Service) Acceleration Program.

The progam aims to provide an ideal environment for Malaysian small and medium ICT companies to transform themselves into world-class companies, Exabytes said in a statement.

According to Exabytes chief executive officer and founder Chan Kee Siak (pic), the partnership is in response to the growing competitiveness of Malaysian SMEs in leveraging the cloud computing ecosystem in Malaysia for their business operations.

“[This] is part of Exabytes’ corporate objective to develop the Malaysian ICT sector in line with the maturing local market of more savvy providers and consumers,” he said.

Chan says that the program opens up opportunities for local providers to grow their business both locally and regionally.

MDeC is Malaysia’s ICT custodian which manages the MSC Malaysia initiative. The program above is part of MSC Malaysia’s larger plan to achieve the following objectives:

• 60 Online Solution Providers on the cloud by end-2012
• 6,000 New ‘Digital Enterprises’ (Malaysian SMEs utilizing ICT solutions and conducting business online) by end-2015;
• 1,500 new jobs for engineered positions by end-2015; and
• 1% share of the global cloud computing market to be contributed by MSC Malaysia companies by 2015.

 
“Cloud computing is a critical enabler for Malaysia’s ICT sector and for the economy as a whole,” said MDeC chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali.

“The MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative ties back to one of the key targets of MSC Malaysia, which is the infusion of technology across all economic sectors to drive productivity and innovation,” he added.

Exabytes’ cloud-hosting technology solutions and Internet infrastructure fit right into the program to provide a platform for eligible SMEs seeking to conduct a higher percentage of their existing and new commercial undertakings online, the company claimed.

Exabytes said it would offer RM3,000 (US$942) cloud hosting credit to all MSC Status companies. These companies may use the credit to buy any cloud hosting package suitable for them. The credit is valid for six months, subsidized by Exabytes.

For MSC companies which have developed software that can be converted to the SaaS model, MSC Malaysia will subsidize an additional RM15,000 (US$4,708) of cloud hosting credit.

Exabytes will also assist these companies in promoting their services to its more than 60,000 SME customers during roadshows and exhibitions.