Google cloud platform arrives in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Online marketplace Carousell and Blackberry Messenger (BBM Messenger) are two of the local companies that have switched to Google’s cloud platform launched Friday (June 16) in Singapore to serve the region. Besides more efficient services like faster response times, the local office will enable more direct customer service and flexibility in terms of data storage, according to Mr Tariq Shaukat, president of Google Cloud, customers.

Users will find that response time will be cut to between 7 and 10 milliseconds, from 50 to 60 milliseconds, said Mr Shaukat. Performance testing indicates a reduction in round-trip latency time of between 51 and 98 per cent for customers in Singapore and the region, compared to using other Google cloud platforms.

“Carousell needed a platform that was agile enough for a start-up, but could scale quickly as we expand,” said Jordan Dea-Mattson, vice president, engineering at Carousell, explaining why the firm decided on the Google cloud services in Singapore.

Other companies that have come on board include Japan’s FamilyMart and banking group HSBC, said Mr Shaukat.

Google Cloud has been recommended by an approved certification body for Level 3 certification of Singapore’s Multi-Tier Cloud Security (MTCS) standard, said the company. Organisations which require compliance with the strictest levels of the MTCS standard can now host their data on Google Cloud’s infrastructure.

In the last two months, Google has trained up to 15,000 developers which will equip them with the skills and knowledge to use the cloud-based services provided by Google. The company, which already has offices in Taiwan and Tokyo, plans to expand in India and Australia later this year.