Modern enterprises all depend on data. The harder question is where that data should live. On-prem offers control. Public cloud offers speed and scale. Most organizations need both, and that choice affects performance, cost, security, and day-to-day operations.
Dell Technologies and Equinix have partnered to address this problem. Instead of pushing companies to pick sides, the model focuses on placing enterprise infrastructure physically next to major public clouds so data and workloads can move without friction.
Why data placement now matters more than ever
Hybrid IT is no longer just about connectivity. Latency, cloud egress costs, data residency rules, and operational complexity all stack up as environments grow. When data sits too far from compute, performance suffers. When everything moves into the cloud, cost control and governance become harder.
Cloud-adjacent infrastructure offers a middle path. By running enterprise storage and software-defined platforms inside Equinix data centers, organizations keep data under their control while accessing cloud compute through private, low-latency connections. The result is fewer trade-offs between speed, cost, and compliance.
The role of Dell PowerStore and PowerFlex
Inside Equinix facilities, Dell positions its platforms as a foundation for hybrid operations rather than standalone systems. Dell PowerStore serves as a centralized data layer, keeping critical data close to cloud services without forcing it into hyperscaler storage. This helps teams avoid unnecessary latency and recurring egress charges. Dell PowerFlex provides scalable, software-defined compute and storage that behaves like a private cloud. It supports automation-heavy environments, large databases, and container platforms that need predictable performance.
Together, they let organizations treat colocation as an extension of their own data center, not a one-off project.
What does this change for MSPs
For MSPs, cloud adjacency opens the door to longer-term, higher-value services. Instead of reselling infrastructure and exiting after deployment, partners can build managed offerings around a repeatable architecture.
An Equinix Spokesperson told ChannelE2E that MSPs can work with Dell and Equinix to create their own versions of cloud-adjacent storage or infrastructure services. “Partners can package this in a number of ways, including OPEX, CAPEX, or as-a-service models, and can purchase Equinix services directly from Equinix or through a distributor,” the spokesperson said.
The key shift is ownership. MSPs can control packaging, pricing, and lifecycle management, turning infrastructure into a long-term managed service rather than a one-time sale.
Why this is not traditional colocation
Traditional colocation often becomes a custom build that is hard to repeat or scale. Cloud adjacency is what makes this model different.
The spokesperson also highlighted that Equinix data centers host on-ramps for all major public cloud providers, allowing enterprises to deploy Dell infrastructure directly next to the cloud. “This proximity enables scalable, software-defined interconnection for optimal performance without compromising security, control, or agility,” the spokesperson said.
That proximity removes common hybrid challenges. Data sovereignty and compliance stay intact. Cloud storage and egress costs drop. Latency becomes more predictable. Cloud choice and workload mobility increase without redesigning infrastructure.
The practical impact for IT teams
This architecture changes how hybrid decisions get made. Instead of debating on-prem versus cloud, teams can focus on where workloads run best while keeping data placement deliberate.
That supports common needs like disaster recovery between Equinix sites, managed infrastructure services, regional data placement, dev and test environments, analytics workloads, and low-latency applications closer to users. These are familiar requirements, but the difference is that they can now be addressed through one consistent model.
Organizations can adopt this approach gradually. Some will centralize storage in Equinix to reduce on-prem data center costs. Others will keep smaller on-prem systems while using Equinix as the hub for cloud-connected workloads. Either way, operations and management stay consistent.
Hybrid infrastructure is no longer about stitching environments together after the fact. It is about intentional placement. Cloud adjacency gives enterprises and MSPs a way to keep data close, maintain control, and still move fast with the cloud.
The Dell and Equinix partnership reflects that shift. Proximity, not just connectivity, is becoming the deciding factor in how modern hybrid environments are built and managed.
