Data centre markets optimistic for 2011

The latest results of the Market Pulse survey of data centre and infrastructure management professionals in Asia show clear signs of business optimism for 2011. The key findings of the survey, conducted biannually by Emerson Network Power, include the increase of the overall ICT infrastructure project pipeline for the first time since 2008.

The Design and Construction segment (consulting engineers) is a bellwether of the economic upturn, with a rise in projects forecast by over 30%, and an 8% growth of projects scheduled for deployment within six months. This is particularly heartening since actual deployments in the past have exceeded forecasts for the same period. Across all segments, deployment schedules are also set to improve on average, with more projects planned for deployment in the next six months.

“This is a change from the more cautious approach that we have seen in previous reports,” said Russell Perry, Director for marketing and customer insight, Emerson Network Power, Asia. “While companies are not throwing caution to the wind, it is clear that they are planning for growth across all sectors.”

The survey polls senior information technology and communications executives across Asia on a broad range of topics, including data centre design priorities, spending trends, project pipeline and investment confidence.

“With five surveys completed, we are now able to develop an index system across several major categories - including CAPEX, forecasting, project scheduling, economic and business sentiment - that not only allows us to measure the progress of each category, but also identifies important industry trends,” said Perry. “Based on the latest survey, for example, we can see that all indices are positive over the March 2010 survey bar one: project forecasting. The index shows actual deployments exceed forecasts for the same period. In our analysis, as the market regains confidence, this position will be reversed to the point where forecasts exceed actual deployments.”

Findings in other areas support the general atmosphere of optimism - on average, respondents indicated that economic conditions have improved per business favourability, expectations of business performance have improved, and trends of capital expenditure (CAPEX) spending continue to rise.

Energy efficiency (with respect to the reduction of consumption and related spending) continues to be the number one concern for ICT professionals across the board, for the third survey in succession.

“Though companies seem optimistic about the future, they still want to run lean. Energy efficiency is the key to keeping data centre costs low,” said Perry.

Indicative of Emerson Network Power’s changing business landscape in Asia, the majority of respondents for this survey hailed from Australia and South-East Asia, whereas earlier versions of the study had stronger participation from Hong Kong and India.

For more information on the results and demographics of the latest Market Pulse survey, visit http://www.nextgenitcinfra.com.