2023 Data Center Trends

2023 Data Center Trends

The pandemic-driven lessons learned in 2020 and 2021 remain forefront for IT asset managers as we head into 2023 Organizations must continue to think beyond ensuring the day-to-day functionality of their data center asset management. As organizations face increased demand and accelerated flexibility, data centers are vital for driving revenue and maintaining continuity throughout the organization.As the need for data centers grow, the shift from on-site legacy centers to more agile off-site locations provide IT asset management (ITAM) professionals the opportunity to conduct IT services more efficiently and effectively. In addition, new technology in the ITAM industry offers faster speeds and less energy consumption while also safeguarding the data being processed and transmitted. As ITAM roles and the technology that supports it evolve, four key trends will play a significant part in 2023 and beyond.

1. Data Center as a Service

Data Centers as a Service (DCaaS) provides a dedicated hosting space for businesses with physical limitations to their on-site infrastructure. New data centers are being built worldwide to resolve the logistical and budgetary issues that on-site data centers are known for. In 2023, we will see an uptick in organizations outsourcing the hosting and management of non-critical IT operations.

Partnering with a colocation data center means maintaining the same control ITAM managers expect from an on-site data center, but with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of the cloud. In the past, colocation centers were built more for disaster recovery or redundancy. Today’s colocation facilities and staff are well-oiled machines, freeing their customers to focus energy on other projects to keep their organization moving forward. We’ll see in 2023 that as the demand for DCaaS grows, so does the expertise of the operations personnel who present customized solutions based on the specific needs of their customers.

2. Downtime Reduction Solutions

Downtime continues to be an issue for many companies. In 2021, we’ve seen several industries suffer service disruptions due to cyberattacks, network issues, failures in hardware and software changes, infrastructure problems, and inefficient processes. These issues are driving change to how ITAM professionals operate in today’s world. Therefore, proactively addressing the security and availability of their organization’s products and services is paramount to providing a high level of service.

According to the Uptime Institute’s 2021 Data Center Industry Survey, the number of outages has declined in 2021, but the consequences continue to worsen. As data centers of the future grow and become more versatile, ITAM managers should look for providers focused on downtime reduction. Through the implementation of best practices, investing in energy-saving features, improving cyber security, and implementing mitigation controls, organizations can reduce downtime and create resilience.

3. Diversification

Even into 2022, companies are continuing to define their “future of work” protocols to support hybrid work environments. Strategies to ensure business continuity have evolved to include future pandemic planning, risk mitigation processes, diversification of applications and support, and automation tactics. In the past, many ITAM professionals went through the motions and checked the boxes for Disaster Recovery tests. Now it’s become an essential part of how organizations plan and operate. In order to reduce risk, ITAM teams must diversify their assets across a variety of platforms and tools in order to maintain sustainability and business continuity.

4. Automation and AI

Automation continues to be the focus of many organizations looking for efficiencies and ways to limit exposure due to unforeseen conditions such as COVID. For example, when staffing is limited, or access to the equipment is affected, automation capabilities for lifecycle asset management can ensure businesses run smoothly.

In 2023, more ITAM managers will be shifting away from manual lifecycle management processes and leveraging automation technology. Automation can improve security and provide visibility in predictive analysis and proactive identification, leading to improved operational effectiveness and more accurate business data.

As we head into 2023, ITAM professionals continue to adapt and transform their roles to meet the demands imposed by the pandemic. ITAM teams have shifted their pre-pandemic focus from audit checklists and day-to-day tasks to a more holistic view of complex hybrid IT environments and increasing data center needs. With Asset Vue’s IT asset management solutions, your ITAM managers will have complete visibility and insights into your organization’s IT asset lifecycles to drive better-informed business decisions in 2023 and beyond.