Understanding Today’s Cloud Service Provider Market

Aug. 24, 2022
Cloud providers of all sizes face a number of challenges as the industry’s growth rate accelerates and new markets and users open up. Iron Mountain explores challenges, drivers, and opportunities for those in the cloud service provider market.

A new white paper from Iron Mountain Data Centers provides an overview of the current challenges, drivers, and opportunities facing those in the cloud service provider market, with a focus on the role of colocation.

Get the full report.

According to a new white paper from Iron Mountain Data Centers, this has been the decade of the cloud. They note that regardless of size, cloud service providers (CSPs) are “on the march, deploying new infrastructure, offering new services, and growing world-beating businesses based on the cloud’s massive economies of scale and compelling business case.”

In their new white paper, Iron Mountain Data Centers first explores 21 different factors driving infrastructure strategies amongst providers and their partners. In terms of customization, they note that “the increasing commoditization of cloud services is driving differentiation and diversification, pushing cloud providers into new service areas.”

Other drivers include localization and the edge, complexity, sustainability, security, blockchain, and the use of AI, AR, and VR.

New service opportunities are opening up on all fronts along with new delivery architectures, and this is driving a more sophisticated and collaborative phase in the growth of the cloud. The impact of this on infrastructure is that partnerships of all types will be required to enable both physical reach and service provision; for build-out; new service layers; new tailored solutions. – Iron Mountain Data Centers, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Cloud

Next, the paper outlines key infrastructure considerations for cloud service providers across three distinct areas. First, the author explores global partnerships, noting that “increasingly, hyperscale and cloud companies are turning to partners for colocation and build-to-suit options as well as constructing their own facilities.” Considering the current state of the market, this section of the paper outlines considerations around uptime, resilience, security, remote capabilities, sustainability, and efficiency and standards.

The second key infrastructure consideration has to do with edge enablement. The author explains why a cloud service provider must offer capabilities around location sourcing, capacity and power planning.

Plug-in ecosystems are discussed as the third infrastructure element a cloud service provider should consider. The paper notes that “strategic cloud-based partnerships improve competitiveness by broadening a cloud provider’s portfolio and adding to their ability to manage larger workloads.”

The paper concludes by outlining several opportunities for cloud service providers around collaboration, the edge, and owned ecosystems.

Download the full report to learn more about the cloud service provider market.

About the Author

Kathy Hitchens

Kathy Hitchens has been writing professionally for more than 30 years. She focuses on the renewable energy, electric vehicle, utility, data center, and financial services sectors. Kathy has a BFA from the University of Arizona and a MBA from the University of Denver.  

Sponsored Recommendations

Tackling Utility Project Challenges with Fiberglass Conduit Elbows

Explore how fiberglass conduit elbows tackle utility project challenges like high costs, complex installations, and cable damage. Discover the benefits of durable, cost-efficient...

How Deep Does Electrical Conduit Need to Be Buried?

In industrial and commercial settings conduit burial depth can impact system performance, maintenance requirements, and overall project costs.

Understanding Fiberglass Conduit: A Comprehensive Guide

RTRC (Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit) is an electrical conduit material commonly used by industrial engineers and contractors.

NECA Manual of Labor Rates Chart

See how Champion Fiberglass compares to PVC, GRC and PVC-coated steel in installation.

Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com
Source: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

Global Data Center Growth and the AI Revolution: Insights from NTT

Doug Adams, President and CEO of Global Data Centers for NTT DATA, explains how NTT has responded to trends in AI and liquid cooling, and outlines the organization's plans for...

White Papers

Get the full report

The Affordable Microgrid: Securing Electric Reliability through Outsourcing

Feb. 12, 2022
Microgrids, which use controllers to connect multiple power generation and storage sources, can provide electric reliability but they can also be too complex and costly for businesses...