VMware and Far EasTone Telecom have jointly established Huyue, a multi-cloud data center for Foxconn (formally known as Hon Hai Technology), at Foxconn’s headquarters in New Taipei.
General Manager of VMware Taiwan Barry Chen affirmed that the joint project between VMware and Far EasTone Telecom would enable Foxconn to “accelerate its digital transformation”.
Prioritising Corporate Sustainability and Enterprise Transformation
The multi-cloud data center is Foxconn’s first data center featuring a hybrid multi-cloud architecture, and would assist Foxconn with data management standardisation, product automation, and business globalisation.
According to DIGITIMES Asia, Chen noted that VMware and Far EasTone Telecom had discussed the Huyue data center project for over a year. Both parties discussed key issues such as ESG carbon reduction, information security, and enterprise transformation.
The Huyue data centre operates on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) infrastructure, to ensure uninterrupted operations at the EMS. Chen added that VCF is based on software-defined data center (SDDC) which can be connected with major public cloud platforms, allowing enterprises to improve their efficiency and flexibility in data management.
In a press statement originally released in Mandarin, Chief Information Officer of Hon Hai Technology Group Gong Peiyuan affirmed that since 2019, Hon Hai has been gearing up to transform society and create a new innovative way of life. Gong added that the construction of the Huyue multi-cloud data center would bolster Hon Hai’s footing in Taiwan and strengthen its foundation for global expansion.
Geopolitical Tensions Affecting Tech Industries
Earlier in July 2022, the Taiwanese government considered fining Hon Hai up to T$25 million for investing in Chinese chip conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup without acquiring Taiwanese regulatory approval. Hon Hai had become a shareholder in Tsinghua Unigroup through a 5.38 billion yuan investment in Tsinghua Unigroup by a subsidiary.
The government of Taiwan has become more wary of China’s ambitions to boost its semiconductor industry, in light of the tech decoupling and geopolitical tensions between the US and China.
As such, the government has also ramped up its actions against Taiwanese businesses which it deems to have taken action which is against Taiwan’s interests. Currently, Taiwanese law states that the government can prohibit investment in China “based on the consideration of national security and industry development”.
Notably, Taipei (the headquarters of Hon Hai) prohibits tech companies from building their most advanced infrastructure in China to ensure Taiwanese companies’ best technologies are not kept offshore.
While Foxconn’s controversy has not been settled, the establishment of a VMware-supported multi-cloud data center is nonetheless a sign that the company has plans for greater expansion beyond Taiwan and China.
It remains to be seen whether Foxconn will be able to achieve its ambitions to bolster its digital transformation.
“Outstanding Data Center Projects” is an awards category for this year’s W.Media Asia Pacific Cloud & Datacenter Awards programme, where enterprise users and industry experts will come together to share their insights and opinions on data centre projects and innovations. If you are interested in nominating or sponsoring, visit our Awards Page for more information. Nominations are open until 5th August.
