Study of the European data center market
Digital Realty Trust has released key findings from its annual study of the European data center market.
The survey of senior leadership at large corporations in Europe revealed the following data center growth trends:
- A strong majority of respondents, 88 percent, indicate that they will definitely or probably expand their data centers in either 2013 or 2014
- 25 percent of respondents indicate that they will definitely expand in 2013, compared to 22 percent a year ago
- The main reasons given for data center expansion are, in order of importance, the need for security, disaster recovery, and power issues (the supply/reliability of power, and maintaining efficiency)
- The trend is towards slightly more compact data centers, with an average size requirement of 14,100 square feet (1,300 square meters), compared to 15,600 square feet (1,500 square meters) a year ago
- Data center planning revolves around two power concerns: the supply and reliability of power, and maintaining efficiency to minimize the power requirements of the data center
- Demand for new data centers is highest among businesses in the UK
- Established business centers remain the most popular locations for situating a new data center, with London (29 percent), Paris (24 percent) and Frankfurt (21 percent) the top choices.
Commenting on the Campos survey findings, Bernard Geoghegan, Digital Realty managing director, Europe, said: “Despite the influence of continuing economic uncertainty in Europe, demand for data center space remains strong. It seems to suggest that adapting to these conditions and readying the organizations for a return of improved economic conditions can be well served through IT and the data center. Security and disaster recovery requirements remain at the forefront, particularly in light of recent global events, so it is critical for suppliers to demonstrate a strong pedigree in being able to deliver appropriate solutions.”
The survey respondents indicate a preference for locating new data centers in their own countries, however, they do not rule out North America and APAC as possible locations.
- For over two-thirds (68 percent) of respondents, the priority is to add facilities within their own country
- Just under half of organizations surveyed (46 percent) intend to spread this expansion across at least two sites
- The most important factors cited in choosing a data center site were security and connectivity
- London, Paris, Frankfurt and New York were mentioned often as potential sites; Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area were mentioned occasionally; in APAC, Tokyo, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong were mentioned.
If you’re interested in learning more about data center design innovations, read our interview with Douglas Alger, Cisco’s IT Architect for Physical Infrastructure.