A look at Data Center trends and innovation in 2016 and beyond

With a new year around the corner, it’s hard to resist making predictions about what’s next on the horizon in data center trends and innovations. Emerson Network Power was among the first companies to make predictions about what to keep an eye out for in 2016.

Among other things, Emerson Network Power, a leading provider of critical infrastructure for information and communications technology systems, predicted that the cloud will get increasingly complicated and architecture will outpace technology as a priority.

“The data center space is changing rapidly,” said ENP’s Lal Karsanbhai, president of the company’s divisions in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our industry is continuously innovating, introducing new technologies to the market on a regular basis — a trend that we will continue to see over the next year.”

Here is a look at few of the trends Emerson Network Power predicts for the future of the data center.

1. The cloud gets more complicated. With the growing popularity of hybrid environments, in which cloud services are combined with legacy facilities, the cloud could get more complex. According to a Standford-Anthesis Group study on server utilization, enterprise data center servers only deliver about 5 percent to 15 percent of their maximum computing output annually. Also, 30 percent of physical servers are considered “comatose” — not being used to deliver computing services for a period of at least six months. As a result, there will be an increased demand to remove comatose servers as one step in managing energy consumption while there may be an opportunity for enterprises to sell excess capacity.

2. Companies will focus more on architecture. The report also indicated that the IT industry will focus less on technology and more on the architecture in which the technologies are deployed. They’re seeking options that are more suited to their needs and environment.

3. Data centers will seek a common language. As the Internet of Things (IoT) takes off worldwide, future data center architectures will need to accommodate the increasing volume of data that is being processed. With data centers currently using thousands of devices that speak numerous languages, there will be an increased demand for interconnectivity across data center systems.

These are just a few of the predictions being made in 2016. Lifeline Data Centers, a wholesale colocation center located in the Midwest, is committed to helping its clients meet new challenges in the industry. Contact us to learn how we can help you address your data center challenges.

Other resources:

• Infographic: The 22 Data Center Compliance Acronyms You Need to Know
• White Paper: Why Data Center Compartmentalization is Important
• Lifeline One Sheet: What You Need to Know About Lifeline Data Centers

Alex Carroll

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Alex, co-owner, is responsible for all real estate, construction and mission critical facilities: hardened buildings, power systems, cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmentals. Alex also manages relationships with the telecommunications providers and has an extensive background in IT infrastructure support, database administration and software design and development. Alex architected Lifeline’s proprietary GRCA system and is hands-on every day in the data center.