White Papers / Case Studies
January 2011
The Data Centre Gamble
Unexpectedly, this fourth report in the Sentrum series showed that outsourcing levels in the data centre sector were once again increasing. In parallel however, the research was also used to warn those making the procurement decisions that their willingness to try new technologies, in favour of continued cost savings, could actually end up being more costly to the business. The Data Centre Gamble ultimately showed that the market was maturing, with concepts such as plant and infrastructure technologies, and attitudes towards PUE, being investigated at a comprehensive level for the first time.
June 2010
The Power Struggle
This report was timed to catch business reactions to the economic challenges that were now upon them and, whilst trusting consultants was still a focus, the big issue had moved dramatically towards that of cost – and in particular the demand for improved energy efficiencies. The killer statistic that caused the most market reaction was that just 21% of respondents cited that their decision to switch providers would be based on securing greater expertise and improved guidance from a new vendor. This suggested that a level of short-sightedness, or panic, existed in the industry so Sentrum used this third report to warn of securing financial savings at the cost of longer term, and ultimately more valuable, access to technical expertise.
June 2009
Energy: The Currency of the Data Centre
Undoubtedly Sentrum’s most controversial report to date; the findings grabbed the UK headlines as a result of the debate it created around the value delivered by data centre consultants. Andy Ruhan, CEO, used the findings to table the suggestion that not only was advice not always forthcoming from consultants, but that worse still it was suggested that when advice was offered it could often be inaccurate. The debate sparked a great deal of industry feedback, people arguing passionately for both sides, and the Sentrum profile leapt as a result.
January 2008
Accommodating the Data Centre
Commissioned in 2008, before the global economic crisis shook the business world and the buying attitudes within it, ‘Accommodating the Data Centre’ was Sentrum’s first research report. Keen to explore opinions and critical business issues in the data centre space, the report tracked the growing trend towards outsourcing data centre requirements, tackled the complicated issue of the data centre partner selection process and predicted the imminent demise of the Mega Data Centre. It still makes for very interesting reading now, particularly for those actively monitoring market changes.