Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing computing infrastructure, data processing services, Web hosting services (except software publishing), and related services, including streaming support services (except streaming distribution services). Data processing establishments provide complete processing and specialized reports from data supplied by clients or provide automated data processing and data entry services. Illustrative Examples: Application hosting Cloud storage services Computer data storage services Computing platform infrastructure provision Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Optical scanning services Platform as a service (PaaS) Video and audio technical streaming support services Web hosting
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Information 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data. The main components of this sector are motion picture and sound recording industries; publishing industries, including software publishing; broadcasting and content providers; telecommunications industries; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, Web hosting, and related services; and Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services. The unique characteristics of information and cultural products, and of the processes involved in their production and distribution, distinguish the Information sector from the goods-producing and service-producing sectors. Some of these characteristics are: 1. Unlike traditional goods, an ''information or cultural product,'' such as an online newspaper or a television program, does not necessarily have tangible qualities, nor is it necessarily associated with a particular form. A movie can be viewed at a movie theater or through television broadcast, video-on-demand, or streaming services. A sound recording can be aired on radio, embedded in multimedia products, streamed, or sold at a record store. 2. Unlike traditional services, the delivery of these products does not require direct contact between the supplier and the consumer. 3. The value of these products to the consumer lies in their informational, educational, cultural, or entertainment content, not in the format in which they are distributed. Most of these products are protected from unlawful reproduction by copyright laws. 4. The intangible property aspect of information and cultural products makes the processes involved in their production and distribution very different from goods and services. Only those possessing the rights to these works are authorized to reproduce, alter, improve, and distribute them. Acquiring and using these rights often involves significant costs. In addition, technology has revolutionized the distribution of these products. It is possible to distribute them in a physical form, via broadcast, or online. 5. Distributors of information and cultural products can easily add value to the products they distribute. For instance, broadcasters add advertising not contained in the original product. This capacity means that unlike traditional goods distributors, they derive revenue not from sale of the distributed product to the final consumer, but from those who pay for the privilege of adding information to the original product. Similarly, a directory and mailing list publisher can acquire the rights to thousands of previously published newspaper and periodical articles and add new value by providing search and software and organizing the information in a way that facilitates research and retrieval. These products often command a much higher price than the original information. Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in custom design of software; mass reproducing software or other prerecorded audio and video material on magnetic or optical media; producing live artistic and cultural works or productions; and performing in or creating artistic and cultural works or productions as independent (i.e., freelance) individuals. |
| 518 | Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services 3-digit subsector | The Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services subsector groups establishments that provide computing infrastructure, data processing services, Web hosting services (except software publishing), and related services, including streaming support services (except streaming distribution services). |
| 5182 | Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services 4-digit industry group | The Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services subsector groups establishments that provide computing infrastructure, data processing services, Web hosting services (except software publishing), and related services, including streaming support services (except streaming distribution services). |
| 51821 | Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 518210. |
| 518210 | Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing computing infrastructure, data processing services, Web hosting services (except software publishing), and related services, including streaming support services (except streaming distribution services). Data processing establishments provide complete processing and specialized reports from data supplied by clients or provide automated data processing and data entry services. Illustrative Examples: Application hosting Cloud storage services Computer data storage services Computing platform infrastructure provision Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Optical scanning services Platform as a service (PaaS) Video and audio technical streaming support services Web hosting |
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Classification References
- 01Providing video and audio streaming distribution services--are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers;
- 02Providing audiovisual postproduction services, including film/tape transfers and digitization (except digitization as a technical streaming support service)--are classified in U.S. Industry 512191, Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services;
- 03Providing text processing and related document preparation activities--are classified in Industry 561410, Document Preparation Services;
- 04Software design, development, and publishing, or software publishing only--are classified in Industry 513210, Software Publishers;
- 05Developing custom software to meet the needs of a particular customer, without providing infrastructure or hosting services--are classified in U.S. Industry 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services;
- 06Providing computer hardware, software, and communication technologies integration services, with or without product sales--are classified in U.S. Industry 541512, Computer Systems Design Services;
- 07Selling computer hardware, packaged software, and communications equipment without providing systems integration services--are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade;
- 08Providing on-site management and operation of a client's data processing facilities--are classified in U.S. Industry 541513, Computer Facilities Management Services;
- 09Providing wired broadband Internet access services using own operated telecommunications infrastructure, in combination with Web hosting--are classified in U.S. Industry 517111, Wired Telecommunications Carriers;
- 10Providing Internet access via client-supplied telecommunications connections in combination with Web hosting--are classified in Industry 517810, All Other Telecommunications;
- 11Operating Web search portals--are classified in Industry 519290, Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services;
- 12Providing access to computers and office equipment, as well as other office support services--are classified in Industry 56143, Business Service Centers;
- 13Processing financial transactions--are classified in Industry 522320, Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities; and
- 14Providing payroll processing services--are classified in U.S. Industry 541214, Payroll Services.
Index Items
Application hosting (excluding software publishing)
Automated data processing services
Cloud computing services (except software publishing and computer systems design)
Cloud storage services
Colocation services (i.e., rental of server and networking space in data centers)
Computer data storage services
Computer input preparation services
Computer time leasing
Computer time rental
Computer time sharing services
Computing infrastructure provision
Computing platform infrastructure provision
Data capture imaging services
Data entry services
Data processing computer services
Data processing services (except payroll services, financial transaction processing services)
Disk and diskette conversion services
Disk and diskette recertification services
Electronic data processing services
Game server hosting providers
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
Media streaming data storage services
Media streaming technical support services
Microfiche recording and imaging services
Microfilm recording and imaging services
Optical scanning services
Platform as a service (PaaS)
Scanning services, optical
Video and audio technical streaming support services
Video tape and film stock technical streaming support services
Virtual currency (cryptocurrency) mining
Web hosting (excluding software publishing)
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 518210.
American Bar Association
A major trade association representing commercial law professionals with a dedicated section on telecommunications and information technology.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
The official government website for the SEC, which regulates public companies and financial markets including those operating in the data processing industry.
Directory of Federal Contract Awards
The U.S. government's portal for tracking federal contracts awarded to entities providing computing infrastructure and related services.
