Quick Poll:Blade Server Adoption

Presented by IDG Research ServicesConducted on behalf of HP

August 2013

2

Research Methodology and Goals

Recruitment Method: This survey was conducted online. Targeted respondents received an email message inviting them to participate in the survey. Each sample member received a unique URL link to access the survey, which they could click on or paste into their browser.

Respondent target: This research targeted respondents who are involved in server-related purchases or decisions at their organizations.

Timing: All responses were collected between July 17, 2013 and July 29, 2013.

Respondent Totals: A total of 87 qualified respondents participated in this research.

Statistical Notes: The margin of error for a sample size of 87 is +/- 10.5 percentage points. Responses to single select questions may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

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Survey Findings

4

Respondents cite virtualization, improving disaster management, and lower management costs as their top server-related priorities over the next year. Data center consolidation was also a cited as a top server-related priority.

Q1: What are your organization’s top three server-related priorities over the next 12 months? (Please check only your top three priorities.) Base: 87

Top Three Server-Related Priorities over the Next 12 Months

Virtualization

Improve disaster management

Lower management costs

Data center consolidation

Increase flexibility/ease of upgrading

Improve load balancing/failover capabilities

Simplify deployment and scalability

Improve power management/reduce power consumption

Increase processing power with less space

Other

Don't know

Not applicable

44%

34%

31%

29%

24%

23%

23%

21%

15%

7%

3%

6%

5Q2a: Is your organization currently using blade server technology from any of the following providers? Base: 87Q2b: From which of the following providers will your organization consider obtaining blade server technology in the next 12 months? (Please check all that apply.) Base: 87

Providers of Blade Server Technology in Use/Under Consideration

In this survey we define blade servers as modular compute platforms that combine blades into a custom-designed chassis to create fully functioning systems. Multiple chassis may then combine within a rack to create a larger system, and multiple racks may be combined to create a large system that could consume a whole aisle or container.

HP and Dell are the top two providers of blade server technologies that are currently in use in respondents’ organizations, and HP is expected to remain the leading provider of blade server technology over the next year, with the most people saying they will consider HP over any other provider.

HP

Dell

IBM

Cisco

Oracle

Huawei

Fujitsu

Hitachi

Other

Don't know

Not applicable

31%

31%

20%

16%

5%

2%

1%

1%

3%

2%

36%

39%

34%

22%

18%

6%

2%

5%

7%

2%

7%

23%

Will consider next 12 months Currently using

6 Q3: Which of the following are driving investments (or would drive investments) in blade server technology at your organization? (Please check all that apply.) Base: 87

Driving/Would Drive Investments in Blade Server Technology

The need for greater performance and scalability is the top driver of blade server technology purchases. Organizations are also looking to simplify management and increase flexibility, simplify cabling, storage, and maintenance, and consolidate server footprints.

Need for greater performance/scalability

Need to simplify management and increase flexibility

Need to simplify cabling, storage, and maintenance

Need to consolidate server footprints

Need to increase IT hardware utilization

Need to improve server energy efficiency

Need to improve security

Need for faster connectivity

Mission-critical x86 workloads

UNIX migration

Increased use of graphics/video

Hadoop/analytics

Other

Not applicable

Don't know

40%

38%

37%

36%

33%

26%

23%

18%

15%

11%

10%

5%

5%

16%

5%

7 Q4: Which of the following do you consider to be obstacles to the adoption of blade server technologies at your organization? (Please check all that apply.) Base: 87

Obstacles to Adoption of Blade Server Technologies

The cost of configuration, the inability to effectively demonstrate the business case, and the fear of vendor lock-in are the top obstacles inhibiting the adoption of blade server technologies.

Nearly one-quarter perceive no obstacles to adoption

Expensive configuration

Difficulty demonstrating the business case for new blade server technologies

Vendor lock-in

Limited or no available budget for new investments in blade server technologies

Limited or no knowledgeable personnel for new technology training

Need to upscale internal staff

Do not have the heating/cooling capabilities to take on new blade servers

Difficulty of integrating with existing infrastructure

Other

Don't know

Not applicable - no real obstacles for my organization in adopting new blade server technologies

32%

29%

28%

28%

22%

14%

13%

10%

7%

6%

24%

8 Q5: Which of the following aspects of server management would you most like to simplify? (Please select your top three choices.) Base: 87

Aspects of Server Management Would Most Like to Simplify

As noted earlier, the need for greater performance/scalability and simplified server management are the top objectives with regard to blade server technology. Respondents cite performance monitoring and infrastructure/hardware maintenance as the areas they would most like to simplify.

Monitoring availability & performance

Infrastructure/hardware maintenance

Firmware updates/upgrades

Deployment efforts of new technologies

Adaptability in order to create a changeable environment

Troubleshooting

Ensuring interoperability among organizational and external entities

Enhancing the flow of information throughout information system

Duplication efforts

Ensuring adherence to standards

Other

Not applicable

Don't know

48%

43%

26%

25%

18%

16%

13%

11%

9%

8%

3%

8%

5%

9 Q6: In which of the following areas could your organization gain benefits by adopting a single tool to manage the entire server environment (virtual and physical)? (Please check all that apply.) Base: 87

Areas Where Benefits Could be Gained by Adopting a Single Tool to Manage Entire Server Environment

Respondents perceive IT efficiency/productivity as the number one benefit that could be achieved by adopting a single server management tool.

IT efficiency/productivity

Ability to meet IT budget/reduce IT costs

Collecting/analyzing information in real-time

Increased uptime/availability

Tech support

Maintaining increasing workloads

Adaptability of resources to meet changing/unpredictable business demands

Improving the ROI of technology investments

Improving standards and guidance

Faster deployment of new technologies

Capitalizing on benefits of cloud computing

Customer/end-user satisfaction through a consistent approach to service delivery

Alignment of technology/business applications

Ability to support mobile workforce

Other

Don't know

None - no benefit

55%

36%

32%

32%

31%

28%

26%

24%

23%

23%

20%

16%

16%

10%

2%

8%

11%

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Respondent Profile

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Server-related Purchase Involvement

QS1: How are you personally involved in server-related purchases or decisions at your organization? (Please check all that apply.) Base: 87

Evaluating needs

Evaluating technology products or services for purchase

Recommending brands or types of technology products/services/solutions for purchase

Making the final purchase decision

Authorizing purchase expenditures

59%

67%

71%

40%

26%

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Job Title

QD1: Which of the following best describes your title within your organization? Base: 87

IT-Related Title (NET)

CIO/CTO

CSO/CISO

Executive VP, Senior VP

VP

Director

Manager

Administrator/Analyst

Developer

System Integrator

Other IT/network staff

Business-Related Title (NET)

CEO, COO, Chairman, President

CFO, Controller, Treasurer

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Executive VP, Senior VP, VP, GM

Director, Manager

Staff

62%

7%

1%

0%

1%

8%

18%

3%

1%

7%

15%

38%

13%

0%

0%

3%

9%

13%

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Company Size (Number of Employees)

QD2: What is the total number of employees at all locations in your entire organization including all divisions, branches and subsidiaries? Base: 87

10,000 or more

5,000 - 9,999

1,000 - 4,999

500 - 999

100 - 499

Less than 100

18%

8%

10%

10%

16%

37%

Average organizational size = 8,756 employees

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Industry

QD3: Which of the following best describes your organization’s industry? Base: 87

High Tech, Telecom & Utilities

Manufacturing

Education

Financial Services

Healthcare

Services

Government - State or Local

Media/Entertainment

Retail, Wholesale and Distribution

Transportation

Other

20%

16%

11%

8%

8%

7%

5%

5%

3%

3%

14%

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