By samdizzy

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is likely the world’s fifth largest server maker, according to the latest estimates from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC). That revelation shows just how powerful and large Google Apps, Google Search and the company’s overall cloud strategy have become.

Back in 2008, Dell, HP and IBM represented 75 percent of the server market. Today, eight vendors represent 75 percent of the server market, with Google in the No. 5 spot, according to Wired. Although Google really isn’t a server “vendor” the company does purchase server chips from Intel for its own cloud services build-outs.

Still, it will be interesting to watch how server processor sales shift as Dell, HP and IBM each build out their own public clouds. Also, Talkin’ Cloud is curious to know if Amazon Web Services ranks on Intel’s list of top eight server builders.

For small channel partners, cloud services continue to pressure the on-premises server market. Microsoft recently killed Windows Small Business Server (SBS) development, amid an aggressive Office 365 cloud push. Microsoft has since tried to position Windows Server 2012 Essentials as an SBS replacement, but in many cases customers are evaluating the cloud.

Intel itself has attempted to help channel partners link on-premise servers to cloud services. That effort, called Intel Hybrid Cloud, is backed by a range of hardware and software companies. But it’s unclear how many MSPs and VARs Intel Hybrid Cloud has attracted.