New research from Keysource, a data center solution provider, indicated a series of operational transitions, challenges and opportunities for the IT and data sector. According to the data, approximately 88 percent of U.K.-based data centers faced “increasing challenges” due to market pressure, a stat that is up 37 percent YOY.
Amidst “relentless” demand for improved delivery, data centers commonly encountered:
- Elevated risk (50 percent).
- Increased day-to-day operations cost (33 percent).
- Poorer quality (29 percent).
Of note, approximately 78 percent of managers had to over-estimate capacity, leading to waste, with 66 percent of data centers expecting their infrastructure to change over the next four years. At the same time, 40 percent of respondents noted they lacked the necessary skills needed to meet modern demand, citing a lack of available talent as the biggest obstacle to solving this skills gap.
In terms of financial considerations, about 55 percent of data center and IT teams have access to separate ‘green’ funds – up from 50 percent (2023) – 40 percent still do not separate their budgets.
“The increased power requirements of widespread AI use are catalyzing a focus on heightened power capability, speed, and resilience for data centers,” said Keysource COO, Jon Healy. “The dynamic of data centers overestimating capacity, while unsurprising given the high demand, is resulting in costly waste and needs addressing. Data center decision makers must take advantage of innovative optimization techniques, from location, initial build or stack configuration through to more effective cooling methods. The opportunity is there for those seeking more accurate capacity estimations and the efficiency this brings”
“The IT and Data sector depends heavily on a skilled, mature workforce, and so it faces age-related biases that affect recruitment from both younger and older generations simultaneously,” added Rich Clifford, director of solutions, Keysource. “As the skills gap shows no sign of slowing, and future demands threaten to widen it further, the sector must recognize the value of tapping into talent across all age groups. Failing to invest in younger talent or to upskill older generations, impacts the accessibility to talent, drives hiring competition, and perpetuates the reliance on outsourcing.”
“The disparity in progress – whether perceived or actual – alongside the wide range of practices being adopted by different organizations, paints a picture of fragmentation,” said Healy. “While an optimistic outlook is a strong indicator of net-zero’s rising prioritization, also evidenced by increasing rates of dedicated green funds, there is a need for greater standardization across the sector. Data centers must move quickly to provide concrete evidence of sustainability progress, unifying efforts to invest in the innovations that can provide the most immediate impact.”
The report is based on an independent, Censuswide study commissioned by Keysource for the seventh annual iteration of its State of the Industry report. More than 200 U.K. senior decision-makers within the IT and data center sectors were polled, with the results compared to previous years’ findings.
