CIO OPINION
Modern data centres are softwaredefined , virtualised , highly automated and able to scale up , or down , as needed .
Stephane Duproz , CEO of Africa Data Centres
Expert discusses data centre modernisation for transformation success
Modernising the data centre is about harnessing innovative capabilities to operate with a competitive edge . Stephane Duproz , CEO of Africa Data Centres , discusses the importance of modernising the data centre for successful Digital Transformation , using automation tools such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to swap the rigid architectures of yesterday .
As organisations across the board look for ways to grow their businesses , they need to deliver differentiated products and experiences without compromising security or customer data . CIOs who make decisions about infrastructure understand that they need agile technology to support their vision , which cannot happen without upgrading legacy systems and enabling innovation . In particular , forwardthinking businesses realise that improving their data and analytics capabilities and increasing their use of cloud technologies is a top priority .
There ’ s no question that business models are rapidly shifting in today ’ s digital economy , placing new pressure on IT , and this shift has major implications for data centres . As the heart of the organisation that ’ s responsible for delivering IT services and enabling Digital Transformation , the data centre has to become more agile and responsive than ever before .
Unfortunately , traditional in-house data centres can ’ t deliver . They have too many issues that hamper agility and prevent Digital Transformation . Typically , their architecture is based on siloed layers and purposebuilt hardware , none of which is easy to change . Compounding the issue , this inflexible infrastructure is too often managed through fragmented and onerous manual processes .
The bottom line – companies need to shift their perception of IT from a support function to a strategic partner and business enabler .
38 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com