Without a doubt, hyperconverged infrastructure has reached a new level of market acceptance and customer adoption. For proof, look no further than the growth in the hyperconverged field as a whole. New entrants and traditional vendors alike are zeroing in on hyperconverged infrastructure as a data center technology of the future. It’s a more competitive market than ever before and customers are adopting solutions at a rapid pace to match.

Around the globe, the amount of companies that are utilizing hyperconverged infrastructure increased by 54 percent when compared to one year ago, according to a recent report by ActualTech Media. In addition, the report notes that 88 percent of those planning to adopt hyperconverged infrastructure intend on doing so within the next two years. These numbers indicate that the use of hyperconverged infrastructure is not only increasing, but accelerating too.

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Faster take-up

In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), adoption and interest is growing at an even faster pace than the global representation. The results reveal that 46 percent of EMEA respondents have already deployed hyperconverged infrastructure. When compared to the 2015 survey results, this represents a 70 percent uptick in the number of organizations that have deployed hyperconvergence, demonstrating that the technology has become increasingly accepted as a mainstream data center infrastructure solution.

Some of the companies in the theatre that have already adopted hyperconverged infrastructure include Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s largest visitor attractions company; bet365, the world’s largest online gambling company; and T-Systems, Central Europe’s third largest tele-company.

While a large percentage of EMEA organizations have already adopted hyperconverged infrastructure, among those that have not, over half (56 percent) are planning to do so within in the next two years. What’s driving this interest? Over half of planned adopters (52 percent) cite either reducing costs or improving operational efficiency as the top reason for interest in hyperconverged infrastructure.

Hyperconverged infrastructure adoption has turned the corner from early to mainstream adopters. Evidence of cost reduction and operational efficiency gains will fuel its momentum

Operational efficiency, in particular, was a recurring theme for EMEA organizations. In addition to being listed as a top driver for hyperconverged infrastructure interest, improving operational efficiency was also the top IT priority in the next 12 to 18 months for 38 percent of EMEA respondents.

Studies have been conducted on the positive effects hyperconverged infrastructure can have on an organization’s operational efficiency, including the April 2016 IDC white paper, which highlights how hyperconverged infrastructure customers increased time spent on innovation and new projects by the equivalent of 81 percent. In addition, the white paper, sponsored by SimpliVity, also notes that hyperconverged infrastructure frees up budget for new projects and innovation. Users increased IT budget spent on new technology projects as opposed to IT budget spent on maintaining existing infrastructure, from 43 percent to 56 percent — the equivalent of a 33 percent increase.

With no signs of slowing down, hyperconverged infrastructure adoption has turned the corner from early to mainstream adopters. Testimonials from adopting companies regarding cost reduction and operational efficiency gains will only fuel its momentum.

Jesse St. Laurent is vice president of product strategy at SimpliVity.
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