17 Mar 2009

Data centre budgets to rise

IT managers intend to spend more on data centre expansion this year, despite the global financial crisis, a report reveals.

Research conducted by industry analyst Digital Realty Trust shows that the average data centre budget is expected to rise by seven per cent this year.

The results may come as surprise given the current condition of economy, claims Chris Crosby, senior vice president at the organisation.

He states: "This is a reflection of how companies view their data centres as critical assets for increasing productivity while reducing costs."

In further findings from the study, over 80 per cent of North American businesses plan to expand the size of their data centres over the next two years.

The size of the average data centre is also expected to increase to 12,000 sq ft, a 16 per cent growth compared with 2008.

Last month, Digital Realty Trust conducted a survey of European countries which revealed 69 per cent intend to expand data centre operations by 2011.