OpSource launches virtual private cloud, says it's better than Amazon's

OpSource just announced a new product called the OpSource Cloud, which it says will provide the benefits of cloud computing — where the computing takes place remotely, on someone else’s infrastructure — without sacrificing the control and security of traditional IT. Amazon made a similar announcement yesterday, but the startup’s chief executive Treb Ryan claims the OpSource Cloud goes further in addressing the needs of large, enterprise-scale companies.

Basically, OpSource allows a company to create a “virtual private network,” accessing scalable, low-cost computing infrastructure in the cloud, while maintaining full control of how connected their network is to the public web. It’s a promising concept, but I worry that the Santa Clara, Calif. company could have a hard time challenging the just-announced Virtual Private Cloud offered by Amazon, which is remains the leader in selling cloud infrastructure to developers.

Ryan says OpSource’s architecture allows for a number of features that aren’t offered by Amazon, but which enterprise IT departments are looking for, such as the ability to support traditional multi-tier applications (where things like the application display and data management are run as separate processes), as well as lower latency time between systems. Ryan adds that athough the OpSource cloud is being pitched as “the first true enterprise cloud,” it could be useful to anyone, including the small web application developers.

OpSource could also be seen as competing with companies offering “private clouds,” which bring cloud architecture into private data centers. But Ryan says he’s skeptical that the private cloud is a meaningful concept, since it lacks the flexibility and other advantages of the public cloud.

“It’s just a way for people to shill new gear,” he says.

The OpSource Cloud will become available to the public on Oct. 2. The company last raised $4 million from ATEL Ventures.