Recent research conducted by Sentrum, a specialist in data centre solutions, has suggested that the data centre sector may still have a long way to go before the consultancy levels offered around Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) are improved. Collectively, 96% of the senior IT decision makers questioned thought that their current data centre operator could do more to advise their company about PUE. In stark contrast just 3% said their data centre partner could not do any more to advise in this respect.
It also appears from the study – entitled ‘The Data Centre Gamble’ that companies are becoming increasingly pro-active where potential efficiencies are concerned as 66% of respondents confirmed that they had approached their data centre provider for more information, guidance and consultancy on how to improve PUE. However, there is also still room for further improvement here as although 29% admitted that they had not asked, 53% that did seek advice had only partially followed the recommendations made.
“It is great to learn that the UK decision makers are taking such a pro-active approach towards identifying areas in which PUE improvements can be made,” said Franek Sodzawiczny, CDO and Co-Founder at Sentrum. “To see that 47% of the respondents have not only asked for advice, but have also followed it completely, shows that the sector has started to shift in its thinking which also suggests that we should expect more companies start to follow these leaders.”
In line with this expectation the research also clearly showed that PUE is moving up the list of priorities when it comes to identifying a data centre partner. 74% of those surveyed confirmed that they do indeed ask for specific targets on PUE to now be included in RFP’s. There was also however an interesting conflict of opinion shown when respondents were asked who takes responsibility for achieving such desired PUE targets in outsourced data centre facilities – 35% cited ‘their company’ and 35% cited ‘the data centre operator’. Just under a third (29%) suggested that it was in fact a shared responsibility.
“Whilst there is clearly some way to go before we reach utopia it is important to recognise that some positive steps are being taken to offer advice and guidance in the data centre already,” continued Sodzawiczny. “At the close of last year Sentrum announced the appointment of Scott Goodwin as Group Energy Officer. The role was created as an industry first after Sentrum identified a compelling need for increased communications with customers on carbon tax policies, site searches and the implementation of new energy supplies. Our clients are already benefitting from Scott’s extensive knowledge in this area and will continue to do so as the focus on PUE moves even further up the business agenda.”
About the Research:
The report was commissioned by Sentrum and undertaken by Dynamic Markets Limited. It is the fourth report in a series dating back to 2008. A total of 103 interviews were collected with senior IT professionals across a wide variety of industry sectors and in large organisations with 250 or more employees. All respondents confirmed prior to interview that they were an IT professional responsible for the company’s data centres from an operational and/or strategic perspective. They also confirmed their level of seniority: 29% are at CIO / Director level and 71% are at senior level manager. Responses, where relevant, have been compared with research results collated in 2008, 2009 and 2010.