Interoute

Strengths: The provider has tightly integrated its cloud with a global communications network spanning Europe. That "network-attached cloud computing" simplifies integration with networking resources and delivers the ability to use an API to configure networks spanning multiple sites.

Interoute's cloud also provides direct connectivity to AWS and Azure, facilitating multi-cloud solutions.

The provider is developing capabilities useful for customers running complex distributed applications with microservices and other container-oriented architectures.

Cautions: Interoute doesn't deliver higher-level cloud services other than those around communications, according to Gartner. The provider is depending on partners to build and offer advanced features on its VDC platform.

While Interoute has begun to build an ecosystem of software partners for its CloudStore online marketplace, it still needs to recruit solution partners. But awareness of its brand is limited outside Europe.