John O'Brien

John O'Brien

John is Uptime Institute’s Senior Research Analyst for Cloud and Software Automation. As a technology industry analyst for over two decades, John has been analyzing the impact of cloud migration, modernization and optimization for the past decade. John covers hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure, sustainability, and emerging AIOps, DataOps and FinOps practices.

Latest Research

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Data center management software: optimizing the IT

As operators expand their use of hybrid IT and cloud, optimizing the IT could help alleviate concerns over availability and efficiency. This report is part two of a four-part series on data center management software.

Intelligence Updates 8 min read
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Hyperscale data center plans at unsustainable levels

The number of proposals for new hyperscale-size data centers have reached new heights in 2024. Those that are built will require huge investment and resources — but many proposals will fail to move forward.

Intelligence Updates 7 min read
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Data center management and control software: an overview

Software for data center management and control is well established, if not always widely used. Some operators are also benefitting from integrated facility and IT software.

Briefing Reports 10 min read
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Will legislation change how finance uses public cloud?

Uptime analysis suggests a growing interest in public cloud by financial institutions. But concerns over cloud providers’ support for regulation compliance ahead of the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act may cause some to pull back.

Intelligence Updates 6 min read
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Pulling IT power data with software

Pulling reliable power consumption data from IT is increasingly important for operators. Although third-party software products offer promise, significant roadblocks still hinder adoption.

Intelligence Updates 6 min read
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Global IT outages raise the question: who bears responsibility?

Software updates by third-party IT providers occur every day, either in the cloud or on-premises. The recent global IT outage has exposed a hard truth: that another major event is likely to occur.

Intelligence Updates 7 min read
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Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024

The 14th edition of the Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey highlights the experiences and strategies of data center owners and operators in the areas of resiliency, sustainability, efficiency, staffing, cloud and AI.

Keynote Reports 27 min read
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Using optimization software for cooling and capacity gains

Many data centers struggle to achieve maximum capacity and optimal cooling, resulting in troublesome hot spots. Advances in cooling optimization software have addressed this complexity and could be the answer.

Briefing Reports 9 min read
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DCIM past and present: what’s changed?

Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software is evolving and improving. This report discusses where DCIM has made most progress, and why it is now considered a viable and worthwhile investment.

Intelligence Updates 9 min read
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The impact of AI on data center operations (Part I)

This report outlines the characteristics of machine learning (ML) applications, describes production use cases for ML-based software in data center M&O, and profiles several vendors offering AI-based functionality in their products.

Keynote Reports 24 min read
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Capacity expands rapidly, but complexity is challenging

Data center capacities are expanding rapidly, and organizations are increasingly using hybrid IT to meet rising demand. However, the growing complexity of IT environments is exposing limitations to current approaches.

Data Reports 8 min read
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Cloud outage insurance: assessing policy options

Cloud-related outages pose a serious financial risk to operators of mission-critical digital infrastructure. And a rising number of high-cost outages suggests that insurers may have a role to play.

Keynote Reports 20 min read
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REPLAY | Webinar: Five Data Center Predictions for 2024

In this Webinar, the Uptime Intelligence team looks beyond the obvious trends of 2024 and identifies some of the latest developments and their associated limitations.

On-Demand Webinars 60 min
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AI startups innovate in cooling and IT ops

Pressure to improve data center efficiency and sustainability is driving interest in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Several startups aim to deliver new capabilities in IT power management and cooling optimization.

Intelligence Updates 7 min read
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Five data center predictions for 2024

Uptime Intelligence looks beyond the more obvious trends of 2024 and identifies some challenging issues. Strong IT demand, high-density IT systems and tough sustainability requirements will drive a new wave of investment.

Keynote Reports 25 min read
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