In a recent expert panel, PTP and Megaport discussed how direct cloud connectivity addresses the growing complexity of multi-cloud environments. As life sciences organizations increasingly adopt multiple cloud providers to support research, compliance, and performance, secure and flexible connectivity is becoming a foundational IT need.
Welcome and Panelist Introductions
Gary Derheim from PTP opened the session by highlighting how critical direct connectivity is in a cloud-first world. Panelists from both companies brought expertise in network engineering, managed cloud services, and multi-cloud strategy.
Why Companies Are Using Multiple Clouds
Chris Cabel of Megaport explained that organizations are adopting multi-cloud strategies to meet different requirements:
- Diversification: Utilizing unique capabilities across AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Availability: Placing workloads close to users and research teams
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting HIPAA, GxP, and data sovereignty needs
- Internal Preferences: Accommodating departmental tools and M&A integrations
He noted that use of three or more cloud providers has more than doubled in the past year, especially among life sciences and biotech companies.
The Role of Megaport in PTP’s Portfolio
Mike McElaney of PTP explained how Megaport enables clients to consume cloud services more efficiently. Instead of relying on expensive, rigid carriers, Megaport offers a cost-effective way to connect to multiple clouds via one scalable network. This aligns with PTP’s focus on optimizing IT infrastructure for biotech startups and growing research teams.
Megaport’s Architecture and Flexibility
Mike Rockwell from Megaport described their private Layer 2, software-defined network (SDN), which eliminates static circuits and allows clients to adjust bandwidth in real time. Chris Dusio from PTP emphasized how this flexibility helps clients optimize performance and cost—especially valuable in cloud optimization for research labs.
Security Benefits of Direct Cloud Connectivity
Private cloud connectivity via Megaport avoids routing through the public internet, reducing risks like BGP hijacks. With end-to-end encryption and private links, life sciences organizations can maintain compliance and protect sensitive research and clinical data while benefiting from high-speed cloud access.
Client Architecture Example
Mike McElaney shared a real-world use case involving a biotech firm that grew from 10 to 200 employees in two years. The company needed high-performance cloud access for expanding lab and office operations. By using Megaport, they established a scalable gigabit connection to multiple cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), enabling secure research collaboration and hybrid cloud management.
Operational Considerations and Support
Chris Cabel highlighted that Megaport's user portal allows IT teams to manage bandwidth and cloud connections without complex change requests. Combined with proactive alerts and 24/7 support, this makes it easier for research IT support teams to maintain performance and uptime across global environments.
Conclusion
For biotech and clinical research organizations navigating multi-cloud complexity, Megaport offers scalable, secure, and flexible connectivity. The panel underscored the importance of early planning and working with experienced providers like PTP to build robust, compliant cloud architectures.
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