A steep rise in demand for data centres in the US is indicated by new research. Figures from Digital Realty Trust, an owner and manager of corporate and Internet gateway data centres, show a significant increase in the number of such projects planned by US corporations in the next 12 months.
The findings are from a recently completed survey of senior decision makers who are either directly responsible for data centres or who influence significant decisions related to data centre operations.
The study’s results were compared against similar research by the firm in 2007 to produce comparative metrics about the growth, and other trends, in the data centre industry.
Key findings include
1. 86% of respondents in the 2008 study will definitely or probably expand data centre numbers in the next 12 months
2. 45% plan to expand in three or more locations. This is an increase of nearly 20% on 2007, indicating the scope of data centre projects has increased.
3. Planned square footage required for an average expansion site went up 50%, from 10,000 sq ft in 2007 to 15,000 sq ft in 2008 – another pointer to increased scope.
Digital Realty Trust CEO Michael F. Foust commented: “This survey of Fortune 2000 companies confirms what our team has suspected based on conversations with customers. The demand for data centre space is accelerating and being driven by the rapidly growing IT infrastructure needs of companies across a wide cross-section of industries.”
Foust added: “Our 2007 survey indicated there would be a significant volume of data centre projects on the horizon, and the increases forecast in this year’s survey are consistent with our new customer activity.”
He noted: “It is particularly significant that 86% of companies are planning data centre expansions in the next 12 months, especially in the context of the current economic environment. Despite the challenging market conditions, companies are making major investments in IT infrastructure, reflecting the critical nature of these assets to today’s corporations.”
Other findings from the study include:
1. Power usage of data centre centres continued to grow, with a 12% increase in average kW use per rack in 2008 over the 2007 metrics.
2. More firms (from 52% to 57%) expect to need the support of a partner for their data centre projects. Only 26% are planning to go it alone.
3. Disaster recovery and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements were cited most frequently as key drivers for data centre expansions. Power requirements, new applications, more physical space, connectivity needs and cooling requirements were also as among drivers.
4. Among companies that are planning data centre expansions
> 83% plan to expand physical space
> 77% plan to expand power capabilities
> 76% plan to expand cooling capabilities
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