Inside the New Data Center Supply Chain

Over the past several years, several of the world's largest data center companies have altered the traditional server supply chain. Rather than purchasing directly from OEMs like HP and Dell, companies like Google and Facebook have developed customer server designs and turned to original design manufacturers (ODMs) to build them. It's a trend that could benefit from the emergence of the Open Compute Project, which seeks to make next-generation designs more accessible.

This has created some new opportunities within the supply chain, as noted today by Cade Metz at Wired Enterprise in an article titled Mystery Men Forge Servers for Giants of the Internet, which examines the role played by server customizers like Hyve and ZT Systems.  Metz tagged along with Joyent CTO Jason Hoffman on a recent visit to a Hyve facility in Fremont, Calif. Read the full article at Wired Enterprise.