When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many businesses were well-prepared to weather this tumultuous environment for one simple reason: They had embraced digital transformation. From large enterprises to retailers and restaurants, investments in digital technologies made prior to the crisis have enabled these businesses to adapt operationally in order to survive and, in some cases, thrive amidst the uncertainty. In many cases, the pandemic accelerated digital transformation to a point where there’s no turning back.
The new reality ushered in by the coronavirus has put more pressure on data centers to store, manage, protect, and deliver business-critical data in an environment that continues to undergo its own digital transformation. The proliferation of distributed IT infrastructure and edge applications created an environment where a considerable amount of infrastructure can operate without dedicated, on-site support staff. The ability to automate key processes and remotely manage IT systems has helped data centers keep things running while facing stay-at-home orders and evolving government guidelines.