The virtualization of critical applications is expected to be the top driver of growth in date center capacity in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 12 months.
According to a survey by Forrester Consulting, 47% of data center decision makers believe that virtualization will push growth within a year.
The survey, commissioned by Digital Realty Trust, covered 245 senior experts in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.
Results show that 46% of those polled see big data as the top driver while 41% point to data center consolidation.
Other top growth drivers cited were business growth (39%), business continuity (34%) and storage growth (32%).
The survey shows that the most important considerations for respondents were location and resiliency, when making decisions about new data center facility investments.
Factors deemed as “important” or “very important” were the location’s risk profile (78%), the facility’s resiliency level and availability (77%), and the level of control over the facility (75%).
Further, three out of four respondents said their companies prioritized the data center’s network connectivity options and carrier availability and density.
Half of those polled said their data center budgets will grow by 5-10% in the next 12 months, especially with about three out of five respondents from Australia and Singapore.
An additional 11% are planning to increase their investment in data center facilities by more than 10%.
Asked about their future plans for capacity planning, 60% of respondents said they are planning some form of expansion within the next four years.
Two out of five are considering outsourcing and 31% are looking at colocation or other leasing as the preferred sourcing models to address their expansion plans.
Commenting on the survey results, Kris Kumar, SVP and regional head for the Asia-Pacific region at Digital Realty, said the numbers demonstrate the maturing aspect of organizations in relation to their data center plans and budgets.