US “data-centre-as-a-service” business IO, has launched its UK operation with a new data centre facility in Slough, Berkshire with Goldman Sachs as the first customer.

The UK data centre is the first centre in Europe and is the second centre to open outside of its native US market – Singapore in 2013 was the first. The data centre was built to serve its global customers and what IO describes as “one of the fastest growing markets in the world.”

With more than 10,000 square metres, the Slough-based data centre features highly resilient power, a dedicated substation and will house the first international deployment of BASELAYER’s advanced ECO modules, designed to deliver ultra-efficient performance by using free, outside air, backed by traditional chilled water technology.

As part of its long-term, strategic technology partnership with IO, Goldman Sachs has signed on as the UK facility’s first customer.

“We are delighted to open the data centre with such a prestigious first customer,” said Nigel Stevens, IO’s UK Managing Director.  Adding: “What’s different about IO’s modular approach to data centres is that you only have to buy what you need. Historically, this industry requires that you over provision in order to ensure sufficient capacity. At IO, that’s not the case. You simply purchase space and power as your business demands it. When you add to that the ability to scale power density up to 30kW per rack, and the visibility provided by our IO.OS software, it’s clear that we have a very compelling solution.”

IO operates six facilities across three continents, and two of the largest data centres in the world. It is a global leader in software-defined data centres, pioneering the next generation of deployments in this field.