A new software-defined cloud connectivity solution adapted for African data legislation and international sharing and privacy law, is said to be the first African-developed automated provisioning and routing solution.

inq.’s Fabric is designed to isolate traffic from the public Internet and deliver stringent privacy and security policies required by businesses using cloud connectivity technology. The solution uses a pay-as-you-go, on-demand model aimed at offering a more affordable option.

The company describes Fabric as an optimised mega portal network software that provides businesses – from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises – with heightened data sharing efficiency, more secure connections, and lower cloud egress charges. 

inq. explains that network provisioning is the process of setting up networks and authorising access for users, devices and services. With a wide variety of networking platforms and hyperscale computing services, as well as managing multiple networks across geographical divides, automation is seen as essential for lowering security risk and reducing impacts to connectivity.  

“Across the continent, Africa is improving its digital infrastructure through new data centres, terrestrial connectivity, and undersea cabling. But between these new developments and a widening number of hyperscalers, we need a unified platform to stitch these complex infrastructure elements together,” says Fabric engineering and product leader and group head: inq. Naresh Thukkani.

“African enterprises spreading across new territories – and mega corporations expanding into Africa – require uniquely tailored digital solutions to connect their various offices, headquarters, and other business locations. Through inq.’s own point-of-presence (PoP) data centers, built in nine countries across the continent, enterprises can send traffic to nearest inq. Fabric PoP and the software will provide efficient, safe cloud connectivity. inq. is simplifying these connections through an easy-to-use software solution,” adds inq. executive chairperson Dr Andile Ngcaba. 

“We developed Fabric to provide an agile, locally-developed solution with the African context in mind – especially to the organisations that are embracing the cloud computing revolution. Our team remains dedicated to introducing new technological solutions to Africa, and Fabric won’t be the last,” Thukkani concludes.