The latest Hitachi Data Systems Storage Index highlights the overriding tendency of IT directors to adopt a flexible approach to storage planning. In the face of continually changing business drivers and evolving technologies, this research shows just how difficult it is for IT directors to accurately plan ahead and address future storage requirements. This is underlined by evidence of rising uncertainty when it comes to medium- and long-term investment priorities, persistent economic insecurity and ongoing reassessment of key investment drivers.
Of the storage issues currently giving IT directors most cause for concern, rising data volumes and regulatory compliance pressures stand out in particular. Meanwhile the importance attached to storage cost cutting has begun to erode in recent months, despite ongoing efficiency drives and financial uncertainty. Unsurprisingly of course, business continuity and data availability priorities remain as pressing as ever for virtually all large and medium-size organisations, as dependency on electronic data continues to grow unabated.
Overall, storage spending looks set to continue apace, with over a quarter of companies expecting it to absorb a greater share of total IT budgets in the coming year, and very few expecting this share to fall. The biggest investment focus remains on harnessing the power of disparate storage systems, with widespread investment in storage management technologies. This challenge is set to become easier in coming years, with the emergence of established and workable industry standards. Indeed, only a small minority of IT directors remains doubtful over the emergence of such open standards. Given the changing investment picture painted by this study, it will be interesting to see whether IT directors' goals and expectations are met in coming months and years, and whether the theme of strategic uncertainty remains a feature of the next Hitachi Data Systems Storage Index in six months' time.
To read the whole study, download the PDF.
