2025 Trends to Watch: Data Center & Cloud

Michael Azoff

Chief Analyst, Cloud Native Computing

Michael is a chief analyst on Omdia’s cloud and data center team, where he covers a range of topics related to the cloud, data center, AI, software development, Agile, and DevOps. He also provides consulting to clients and support for Informa Tech events, with a focus on cloud native computing.

Michael was previously a consulting analyst at GigaOm, covering AI and software development. Prior to this, he was chief analyst at Kisaco Research, where he introduced an analyst chart on AI chips. Michael was also a distinguished analyst at Informa companies, including Ovum, for 17 years. After completing his PhD in solid-state electronics at the University of Sheffield (England), Michael worked at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and published academic papers. He went into R&D, built neural networks, launched a startup for his Prognostica Microsoft Excel add-in for time series forecasting, and published a book, Neural Network Time Series: Forecasting of Financial Markets.

Alan Howard

Principal Analyst, Colocation and DC Building

Alan focuses on cloud and colocation service provider markets and covers service revenues, data center locations and new construction, and the distribution of data center capex. Coverage includes current service provider revenue performance, service offering trends and insights, and data center construction and expansion.

Alan has more than 30 years of experience in the information technology industry, serving in technical, marketing, research, and business management roles. He is frequently invited to speak at conferences and advise on colocation, data center, and cloud markets and strategies. Prior to joining Omdia, he was vice president and chief researcher for Wired Real Estate Group, a data center advisory firm. Alan was responsible for consulting with investors, investment banks, data center operators, real estate owners, and enterprises to assist with market assessments and strategy.   

Vladimir Galabov

Senior Research Director, Enterprise Infrastructure

Vlad is responsible for the enterprise infrastructure teams at Omdia, including the cloud and data center research practice and the cybersecurity research practice. He guides the teams’ research strategy and produces research with a focus on disruptive trends, such as infrastructure upgrades necessary to enable broad adoption of AI, as well as the impact of AI on the enterprise infrastructure stack.

Vlad joined Omdia, formerly IHS Markit Technology, in 2016. He assumed the responsibility for the cloud and data center research practice in 2021, developing many of its unique, industry-leading technical analyses, including its flagship “single source of truth” data center capex and capacity model. He held senior positions at Intel and Ciena, where his data-led insights served as a central input into the companies’ strategies. Key market models he developed include an in-depth analysis of telecommunications network operations costs, a PC inventory tracker, and an actionable IoT market forecast. Vlad’s work has even facilitated decision-making in the British Parliament. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and management from Aston University, the UK.

Roy Illsley

Chief Analyst, IT Operations

Roy’s key areas of research include cloud computing, cloud-native technologies, IT strategy, IT operational management, and data center technologies. He also advises on quantum computing, automation, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and workspaces. Roy uses his extensive experience combined with Omdia’s surveys and market data to understand how technologies will add benefit to businesses.

He works in the enterprise team and has over 40 years’ experience in the IT sector working for a variety of consultancy and end-user companies with experience in defense, utilities, automotive, retail, and fast-moving consumer goods industries. He joined Butler Group as a senior analyst in January 2006. Roy has worked on many major report projects, white papers, and primary research. He also delivers keynote speeches globally. He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in electronic engineering and telecommunications, an international MBA, and is a Member of the Institute of Engineering Technology (MIET) that holds the registered status of a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Manoj Sukumaran

Principal Analyst, Data center IT

Manoj is Omdia’s data center computing and networking expert. He covers trailblazing technologies such as processors that enable the programmability of compute and networking hardware, edge computing, composable infrastructure, and the adoption of open compute hardware. He has over 15 years of experience in engineering and financial services, consulting, and research.

Before joining Omdia, Manoj was the founder and director of QWave India, a hardware engineering services company that specializes in designing data center hardware for clients such as Facebook and LinkedIn. His team delivered Facebook’s first three open compute switches, pioneering the bare metal switching technology that has revolutionized the data center. He also worked on the architecture and design of Open19’s first switch and server. Manoj has also held senior positions in financial services, consulting, and media companies. He holds two bachelor’s degrees—one in physics and one in information technology—and an MBA from India’s Mahatma Gandhi University.

Shen Wang

Principal Analyst, Data Center Power & Cooling Systems

Wang Shen is a principal analyst in Omdia, Informa Tech. He has been responsible for the consulting and custom studies in data center tech areas, and now he leads the data center physical infrastructure, thermal management, and sustainability research practice.

Prior to joining IHS Markit (Now as Omdia) in 2017, Wang Shen worked at eldoLED B.V. in the Netherlands as technical application manager on smart power electronic products. Before that, he developed smart conceptual electronic products at Philips Research in Eindhoven, he published technical papers on international journals, and hold several patents.

In the meantime, Shen was also a technical translator and reviewer for industrial publishing houses, and also a columnist for industry medias, he has successfully conducted many research cases, and often gives speeches at data center power & sustainability related conferences or seminars and quoted by industry medias.

Shen earned an MSc (Ir.) degree in Sustainable Energy Technology from Technische Universiteit Eindhoven and a BSc degree in Electric Engineering & Automation from Fudan University.