Data Center Map Adds Search for Cloud Services

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Data Center Map has added a new feature that allows users to search for cloud computing space based on locations and features.

Data Center Map today announced the launch of a new feature that allows users to search for cloud computing services based on the geographic location of their data center and specific features offered by each provider. The new feature is intended to guide customers through the growing jungle of cloud server providers, providing results via an interactive map.

Data Center Map has previously focused on tracking colocation and carrier services across more than 1,800 data centers in 78 countries. The new cloud computing search feature allows users to filter providers based on their own definition of cloud servers, limiting search results to providers that meet their requirements and displaying the results on an interactive map. Results can be limited by purchasing model, operating system, hypervisor, storage technology, and minimum billing period.

Reducing Apples vs. Oranges Comparisons

The expanded service will likely be of interest to cloud computing customers seeking space within specific states or countries, which is often an important issue due to regulations around physical location of data. The key advantage, according to Data Center Map founder Sune Christesen, is the ability to reduce the apples vs. oranges nature of comparing cloud offerings.

"The rapid growth of cloud computing has resulted in providers operating with different definitions of what cloud servers are, which combined with the growing number of providers offering cloud servers is making the market very hard to navigate," said Christesen. "The demand for cloud computing is growing rapidly as technology evolves, forcing providers of traditional solutions to change their strategies and adapt to these changing market terms."

A recent study performed by IDG Research on behalf of Savvis, Inc. found that 75 percent of companies will use enterprise-class cloud computing within the next five years, but that 60 percent consider it "extremely or very challenging" to find the right cloud computing solution for their companies. Christesen said this underlines the need for more transparency in the cloud computing industry.

Data Center Map was launched in 2007 and provides a comprehensive online platform for connecting buyers and sellers of data center services. The site features service providers via a combination of interactive maps, text-based indexes and search functionality, as well as making it possible for clients to request quotes from the providers on the site. Data Center Knowledge has a strategic alliance with Data Center Map.