New cloud vendors face another headwind: Microsoft (MSFT.US) reportedly plans to reduce its partner list and build its own data centers.

Zhito Finance APP has learned that people familiar with the matter said Microsoft (MSFT.US) plans to reduce its list of neocloud partners, shifting focus to working with a small number of key suppliers and building its own data centers. The software giant's plan will pose another potential challenge to the neocloud sector. The sector is already showing signs of strain due to rising borrowing costs, heavy debt burdens, and market concerns that construction may slow.