Newer computing technologies, such as blade servers, are pushing the limits of existing IT infrastructures at energy companies. Power and cooling requirements have skyrocketed, and energy companies are forced to spend millions to retrofit their existing systems. As companies outgrow their established infrastructures, they have begun to look for alternatives. One old solution that is getting new traction is to outsource IT functions. CyrusOne, a Houston-based firm that works this niche of the business, counts about 70% of its revenue from the energy industry. The company, which sees itself as the utility for the petrotechnical industry, manages systems in more than 400 locations throughout the world. "We basically provide the infrastructure underneath greenfield, brownfield or operations applications," says Blake McLane, vice president of strategic business development. Energy companies are heavy users of applications that require fast and accurate decisions and real-time interpretation and analysis, he says, and these applications put significant demand in a couple of areas. For more on this, see the August issue of Oil and Gas Investor. For a subscription, call 713-260-6441.

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