For a read on the current state of multicloud computing, ask someone who owns and runs data centers. QTS Realty Trust Inc. provides data center solutions through six million square feet located in multiple North America facilities and delivers a software-defined platform to a range of enterprise and government clients.

Since the 2003 purchase of a single small data center based in Kansas, QTS has expanded its footprint through mergers and acquisitions around the United States. The data center market is currently defined by a mix of customers using public and private platforms, according to one QTS executive.

“Hybrid is the word,” said Steven Rosenthal (pictured), senior product specialist at QTS. “Even if customers are at 90 percent [public], 10 percent are legacy applications that they would have to re-write to really work in the public cloud.”

Rosenthal spoke with Stu Miniman (@stu) and Rebecca Knight (@knightrm), co-hosts of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during the Microsoft Ignite event in Orlando, Florida. They discussed the company’s partnership with Nutanix Inc., how QTS provides an exclusive stack for its customers, and the potential of edge computing. (* Disclosure below.)

Partners with Nutanix

One year ago, QTS introduced its Hosted Private Cloud, built on its Hybrid Cloud Management Platform and the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Platform. The partnership with Nutanix and the 2017 offering were designed to strengthen the QTS portfolio of hybrid information technology solutions.

“They have a right to be in that Gartner Magic Quadrant,” said Rosenthal during his discussion of the partnership. “Nutanix has been one of the best technology partners that we’ve brought on board.”

Using Nutanix hardware, the QTS solution has been built on providing an exclusive, secure space for its data center services. “At QTS, the entire stack is dedicated to a customer,” Rosenthal said. “There’s no nosy neighbors; there’s no one next to you where you might not know what they’re doing.”

Although QTS has focused on the hybrid cloud market, the company is looking closely at what role it could play in edge computing as well. “We are constantly looking at the new technologies out there, especially autonomous cars,” Rosenthal said. “They require something like six terabytes of data that get passed back and forth between the car and whatever service is running that car. We’re looking at how we are going to play in that market.”

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the Microsoft Ignite event. (* Disclosure: Nutanix Inc. sponsored this segment, with additional broadcast sponsorship from Cohesity Inc. Nutanix, Cohesity, and other sponsors do not have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE