IBM has revealed its plans to expand cloud computing network with 12 new locations to serve enterprises looking for more hybrid cloud computing.

The new centers will further expand IBM's global cloud footprint which includes facilities in Mumbai, London, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne, Toronto, Dallas and Raleigh opened this year. The addition of new data centres will expand its network to 40 locations.

Under the agreement with Equinix, it will give direct access to SoftLayer cloud services via the Equinix Cloud Exchange in nine markets.

The new partnership will allow customers to easily move production workloads in and out of the cloud, helping them to formulate their hybrid cloud strategies.

Jim Comfort, cloud services general manager, IBM, "IBM recognizes that businesses and governments need the cloud to help them innovate, grow and operate more efficiently in concert with their existing IT investments. Everything IBM does is designed to help companies transition to the cloud in a responsible way at a pace that best fits their business model and industry. Just as we helped major organizations transform in each preceding era of IT, IBM now serves as the cloud platform for the enterprise."

SoftLayer, with its broad reach into the enterprise market and proven success in networking will be a great asset to Cloud Exchange, enabling customers to seamlessly replicate data between markets.