The data center market - Italy

1.1 Definition and presentation

The concept of a data center as a repository of a quantity of information has its roots in the first half of the 20th century, a time when the first computer specifically made to store data dates back.

In nearly 80 years, data centers have undergone considerable transformations aimed at enriching their functionality. Today, therefore, the term data center refers to a large network of interconnected servers and computer components usually used by organizations for remote data storage, processing and distribution. Data center components usually include mainframes, servers, storage bays, network and telecommunications equipment, etc.

Building a facility as such requires a high initial investment. In addition, security of the infrastructure, both in terms of power and against cyber attacks, is crucial to ensure its proper operation. In Italy, these are some of the difficulties that have led the market structure to look fragmented, characterized by a very large number of data centers, wasteful both for the country's economy and for the companies that use them. Nevertheless, undoubtedly, the data center market is booming and is expected to show sustained growth in the coming years due in part to:

• The growing popularity of community cloud technology;
• The exchange of data related to the use of an increasingly efficient Internet network;
• The need for some companies to outsource the storage of a significant amount of data at their disposal to reduce costs or for security reasons.