Emerson Survey Shows Global Economic Downturn Not Slowing Pursuit Of Data Center Energy Efficiency
A survey from Emerson shows that, despite the global economic downturn, data center managers are investing in energy-efficiency initiatives to help manage operating expenses and reduce environmental impact. The survey, from the Aperture Research Institute™ of Emerson Network Power, revealed that 87% of data center managers have implemented such efficiency initiatives in their facilities, but only 22% believe that the economic downturn will slow the pace of these efforts.
The same survey of more than 100 data center professionals showed that, with efficiency in mind, they are looking at ways to squeeze more from existing resources, with 80% of data center managers confident they can create at least 10% additional capacity through better management of existing IT assets. Thirty percent said they could find an additional 20%.
"The companies with the best chance of emerging from the current economic downturn strongly positioned to compete are those that invest in tools that enable them to gain actionable insight into their resource allocations," said Andrew Fanara, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Products Program Manager. "This information will enable them to make smart decisions that will result in cost savings and operational efficiency."
A separate survey from Emerson Network Power of more than 120 members of its Data Center Users Group (DCUG) confirmed that IT budgets are tight but that energy efficiency remains a top-of-mind objective. For instance, 47% of respondents listed energy efficiency as one of their top facilities and network concerns. Additionally, the current economic environment has forced 61% of respondents to cut budgets, while 35% of respondents have been forced to delay data center build or expansion projects.
"With the global economy in a downturn, data center managers are being faced with the combined challenge of rising demand for IT services and tightening budgets. This is forcing them to find new ways of doing more with less," said Steve Yellen, principal of the Aperture Research Institute. "From the results of our survey, it appears that data center managers are placing a greater focus on utilization and efficiency of existing resources. This is likely to cause a revitalized focus on tools that provide insight into resource allocation and use."
