IO, Phoenix-based provider of data center services famous for its modular data center product IO Anywhere has expanded its operations to Europe, its first definitive foray outside of the US market.

The company did not elaborate where in Europe it was establishing operations, nor did it say anything about a data center location in the region. It has, however, appointed a vice president of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Ricky Cooper, a former regional manager for Microsoft’s European accounts, will lead IO’s first plunge into the international data center services market on the sales front, the company said.

“IO sees a major market opportunity in EMEA in helping organizations move to Data Center 2.0 strategies, where they can buy modular data center hardware and software like other IT purchases,” Cooper said.

IO provides both traditional colocation space and colocation space within its pre-fabricated modules, which it parks inside large buildings. Its customers also have the option to deploy IO Anywhere modules at a location of their choosing and have IO staff manage them, or buy the modules.

The company has designed its own data center infrastructure management (DCIM) solution called IO OS. Its colocation customers can use the system, but it also sells it as a stand-alone DCIM product.

Cooper’s appointment is a second one for the company in August. On 15 August, the company announced it had put Aaron Peterson, a former IBM technical sales rep, in charge of product management.

IO currently has data centers in Arizona, New Jersey and Ohio. The factory that manufactures IO Anywhere modules is in Phoenix and belongs to the company.