What unique insights did the research convey about the current state of DCIM deployments?

While DCIM has been on the market for quite some time, as the data from our DCIM Solution Deployment Survey showcases, not every executive or enterprise has a full understanding around the benefits of a DCIM deployment. For example, one-third of data center managers who report that they do not have a DCIM solution in place state that one of the main DCIM barriers is that they lack the education on why a solution is needed. This demonstrates the need for continued education of benefits across the industry and the potential for increased adoption in future. What’s more, this disconnect becomes a bit more nuanced when you consider the high level of satisfaction experienced by enterprises who currently have a solution in place. Of those with a DCIM solution, 89% cited they would grade their solution with a “B” grade or higher.

The survey tapped the opinions of both the C-suite and Data Center Managers/IT — any nuances in deployment strategies or goals based on role?

Based on research, a divide does exist between the C-suite and data center managers/IT as to what they believe is the most valuable benefit of a DCIM solution. For starters, nearly 40% of data center managers who graded their current DCIM deployment an A or B, stated the top benefit of their deployment was the increased operational efficiency it provided (compared to 20% of CIO/CTOs). On the other hand, nearly 40% of CIO/CTOs viewed cost benefits as the highest value that their DCIM solution provided. While it may not be groundbreaking that data center managers value increased efficiency and CIO/CTOs value cost savings from a DCIM standpoint, it points the differing priorities of each group. Interestingly the varied priorities between the C-suite and data center managers also acts as a barrier to implementation as a third of data center managers surveyed state that obtaining adequate budget as the biggest roadblock to implementation.

In short, communication is key. Data center managers looking to capitalize on benefits from DCIM need to communicate with C-level managers, especially in their preferred terms. As the data shows — the tipping point for the C-suite is financially based.

Talk about the tipping points for DCIM implementation. What is driving enterprises to turn to DCIM solutions?

Currently, we’re sitting at 80% DCIM market penetration — a major gain in deployments in both the U.S. and UK. When asked about the key drivers for implementation, the majority (57%) of senior executives pointed to the desire to trade in time intensive, manual tasks with automation. Additionally, the need to overhaul legacy technology and hardware as a way to mitigate risk and potential outages was high on the priorities list, cited by 43% of execs. Just as important was finally getting approval on budget (42%) and obtaining buy-in from the C-suite allowing data center managers and IT to move forward with integrations (42%). As complex IT environments continue to shift with many moving to a hybrid approach, for 41% of execs, the natural progression to managing the hybrid environment was leveraging a DCIM solution.

According to the data, we’re sitting at 80% deployment rate in the US and UK. What’s the future of DCIM?

As long as the C-suite and data center managers continue to have conversations around the rapidly evolving data center — from increasing efficiency to overhauling legacy technology — the future of DCIM is looking really bright. We’re currently in a place where 80% of US and UK enterprises are harnessing DCIM and there’s an opportunity to tip that scale even more. In fact, those surveyed that don’t currently have a DCIM solution in place have their fingers on the pulse with half (51%) currently in the process of deploying a solution in the next 12 months. Even more impressive, in the next 18 months, the majority (69%) have DCIM deployments on the horizon.