Cloudalize
By Cloudalize
Cloudalize typical implementation process:
Platform Selection and Configuration:
Process: The client works with Cloudalize to determine the specific needs (GPU power, storage, user count) and selects the appropriate solution (Cloud Workstations, Kubernetes GPU Cloud, or Private GPU Cloud). Custom blueprints—pre-configured desktop images with required software—are prepared.
Duration: This planning and configuration phase can vary based on the level of customization required, but the aim is to leverage the ready-to-use cloud infrastructure.
Deployment of Virtual Workstations (Cloud Workstations):
Process: The administrator uses the Cloudalize platform to deploy the customized blueprints. This involves a simplified, self-service setup through the platform's intuitive interface.
Duration: The platform is designed for quick deployment, allowing the IT team to turn a device into a supercharged computer in just minutes and assign it to users.
User Provisioning and Access:
Process: New users are created and assigned a desktop via the platform's user management tools. Users can then access their high-powered workstation instantly through a browser or dedicated app, supporting a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) environment.
Duration: User setup and access can be achieved quickly, with minimal to no time required for local installation on the end-user's device.
Ongoing Management and Maintenance:
Cloudalize can be highly customized to meet specific business needs, particularly because its core offerings are built on flexible cloud computing services such as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) and Kubernetes.
Custom-Built Solution (Private GPU Cloud): Cloudalize states that its solution for sectors like Digital Government is a"custom-built solution outside the remit of the public cloud,"indicating that it designs the environment to meet unique organizational requirements.
Tailored to Individual Roles: The cloud solution can be "tailored to individual roles and corresponding tasks." This means the computing resources, software, and access levels are configured based on an employee's specific job function.
Creation of Blueprints: The platform allows IT teams to "create blueprints to deploy the software customised to each role and discipline." A blueprint is a pre-configured image of the virtual workstation, ensuring all users in a specific role (e.g., Engineer, Architect) get the exact same environment and software from day one.
Bring-Your-Own-License (BYOL) Support: The Cloud Workstation solution supports the organization's "Bring-Your-Own-Licence (BYOL)" policy. This allows businesses to run their legally licensed, specialized software (like CAD, BIM, or GIS) within the virtual desktop environment.
Flexible Deployment Options:
Cloudalize Cloud: Hosted and managed entirely by Cloudalize on its private data centers.
Private GPU Cloud (On-Premises): Clients have the option to have the solutions deployed "on-premises as Private GPU Cloud," giving them total control over their data location and infrastructure.
GPU Resource Allocation: The platform enables clients to define and allocate the necessary NVIDIA GPU resources for applications that require superior acceleration, such as Generative AI, Digital Twins, and advanced simulations.
Billing Optimization: The pricing is flexible, offering granular control over the time units the service is available and charged for, which allows businesses to align costs with demand and usage patterns.
Application-as-a-Service (AaaS): Beyond full desktops, the AaaS platform can stream specific high-end applications via a one-click experience through a self-serve portal, allowing instant access to 3D projects without deploying a full desktop.
Cloudalize offers a set of resources and support channels for new and existing users, focusing on self-service documentation and direct technical assistance.
The training and support framework includes:
Knowledge Center / Support Portal: Cloudalize maintains a dedicated support site and "Knowledge Center," which is the primary source for self-service help. This includes:
"Getting Started" Manuals: Step-by-step guides for new users, such as "Getting started with the Cloudalize Platform & Launch a Virtual Desktop" and "How do I deploy a Desktop/Workstation."
FAQs and Articles: Detailed answers across key topics like Desktops, Applications, Billing, Account Management, Data, Security, and Networks (e.g., minimum internet connection requirements, two-factor authentication).
Technical Documentation and Tutorials: Cloudalize provides formal Documentation and tutorials for learning about the platform, including benchmark testing and technical specifications.
The Cloud Library: This resource hub contains a wealth of public materials, including:
Case Studies: Real-world examples of how other companies have used and benefited from Cloudalize.
Blog Articles and White Papers: Content on industry topics (like DaaS, Cloud Workstations, and AI integration) to educate users on best practices and technology.
Cloudalize places a strong emphasis on data security, with measures implemented across its physical data centers, network architecture, and platform controls to ensure compliance and protection for its users.
The key security measures include:
ISO 27001 Certification: Cloudalize utilizes data centers that are fully certified to ISO 27001:2013 (Information Security Management Systems). This is a globally recognized standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
High-Level Physical Security (Level-3 Secure): The physical data centers (such as those in London and New Jersey) operate at a high security level. This includes:
24/7/365 On-site Security Team: Constant monitoring by dedicated personnel.
Multi-factor Access Control: Sophisticated badge and palm scanner operating systems for entry and exit.
Restricted Access: Access to server rooms is heavily restricted to only authorized personnel.
Continuous Monitoring: Internal and external IP CCTV with complete site coverage.
Perimeter Defense: Features like security bollards and 3-meter high perimeter fences.
Private Cloud Architecture: The Cloudalize platform is built on a wholly-owned Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), providing a segregated and secure space for clients to deploy resources.
Encryption: The network architecture is secured with industry-standard encryption protocols to meet the safety concerns of even the most sensitive organizations. All browser-based connections are secured over HTTPS.
Authentication Options: Users can access the platform via a wide variety of authentication options, from standard User/Password to sophisticated Active Directory (AD) authentication.
Cloudalize's underlying infrastructure is built on facilities that hold multiple high-level certifications, including:
ISO 27001 (Information Security Management)
SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 SOC Type 1 & SOC Type 2 (System and Organization Controls)
PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
Uptime Institute Tier III / Tier IV standards for infrastructure availability and resilience.
ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
The updates and maintenance of the core platform are handled entirely by Cloudalize's expert team, allowing clients to focus on their work without the burden of infrastructure maintenance.
Platform Management: Cloudalize's engineers manage the security, hardware, maintenance, and upgrades of the core Cloudalize Cloud Platform to ensure "always-on, best-in-class performance.
Bulk Patching and Security Updates: Cloudalize handles the Bulk Patching and Security Updates for the operating system, security software, and anti-virus software across the virtual desktops, even when the desktop images are offline.
The frequency is continuous, focusing on security and new feature integration:
Ongoing Innovation: As a cloud provider, Cloudalize is constantly innovating and integrating new technologies, as evidenced by its focus on emerging areas like Generative AI, Digital Twins, and NVIDIA Omniverse.
Cloudalize's public-facing legal documents. Here is a summary of their policy on data ownership and portability.
Cloudalize maintains that the customer retains ownership of their content and applications hosted on the platform.
Customer Content: Cloudalize explicitly states that it obtains no right, title, or interest in or to any content or applications that you create, submit, post, transmit, or display on or through the Cloudalize Services.
Customer Responsibility: All data stored by the user is the user's sole responsibility, as outlined in their terms of usage. This also means you are responsible for protecting and enforcing your own rights to that content.
Personal Data: Regarding personal data (such as names and email addresses collected during account registration), Cloudalize adheres to GDPR-related rights, allowing users to exercise their rights to access, correct, or delete their personal data.
While a dedicated "data portability" policy document is not publicly available, their framework implies support for data transfer, especially for personal data, due to their compliance with GDPR:
Data Portability Right (GDPR): Since Cloudalize is a European-based company and mentions rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the right to data portability applies to the personal information you provide them. This right entitles an individual to receive a copy of their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, and to have their data transmitted directly to another controller where technically feasible.
User Content Retention: Following the termination or deactivation of a user account, Cloudalize may retain profile information and user content for a commercially reasonable time for backup, archival, or audit purposes. This suggests that a process for retrieving data before termination is necessary, which is common practice for DaaS (Desktop-as-a-Service) providers.
Cloudalize "Terms of Service" (which are presented under the name "Radian Arc Europe Services" on their legal page), here are the key terms and conditions related to contract renewal, cancellation, and fees:
Hourly Subscription: Charged a monthly recurring fee for every desktop, plus an hourly rate based on usage (pay-per-use).
Unlimited Subscription: Charged a fixed, recurring monthly fee per desktop for 24/7 unlimited use.
Notice for Fee Changes: For all recurring purchases, the provider may change its fees and payment policies by notifying you at least fifteen (15) days before the beginning of the billing cycle in which the change will take effect.
Waiver of Claims: Claims relating to charges are waived (to the fullest extent permitted by law) unless they are claimed within 60 days after the charge.
Basis for Charges: Charges are solely based on the provider's measurements of your service use, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
Cloudalize's software and the infrastructure it relies on meet a number of major international compliance standards and security certifications.
The key compliance standards and certifications mentioned in their public documentation include:
ISO/IEC 27001:2013: This is the international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Cloudalize's infrastructure (specifically, the Tier-3 level data centers they use) is ISO 27001-certified.
SOC-Certified: Their cloud platform is hosted on Tier-3 level data centers that are SOC-certified (Service Organization Control), which is a framework for auditing and reporting on the security, availability, and processing integrity of customer data.
ISO 9001:2008: This certification covers Quality Management.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Cloudalize states that its software helps enterprises maintain compliance with the GDPR, the European Union's regulation on data protection and privacy. They also have a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) to ensure compliance with the latest governmental and regulatory data protection standards.
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): Their platform is cited as helping businesses maintain compliance with PCI DSS standards, which are required for organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card data.
Uptime Institute Tier III: The data centers hosting the Cloudalize platform are Tier III-certified, meaning they meet high standards for availability and redundancy.
BREEAM Excellent: This certification is for the sustainability and environmental performance of buildings.
ISO 14001:2004: This standard covers Environmental Management.
