IDC FutureScape Figure

Figure: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Datacenter 2020 Top 10 Predictions

Executive Summary

IDC FutureScape Predictions

Summary of External Drivers

Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers

Prediction 1: By 2023, More than 50% of New Infrastructure Deployed Will Be in Increasingly Critical Edge Locations Rather Than Corporate Datacenters, up from Less than 10% Today

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 2: In 2020, 40% of Enterprises' Datacenter Investments Will Be Associated with Running Composite Apps That Need Reliable/Secure Interconnect to Third-Party Resources in Cloud or Colocation Facilities

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 3: By 2023, 80% of Workloads Will Shift to or Be Created with Containers/Microservices, Reducing Per-App Infrastructure Needs by 60%, While Driving a 70% Improvement in Digital Service Resiliency

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 4: By 2022, 40% of Enterprises Will Take Advantage of Hyper-Customized Infrastructure Services for In-Memory Data and Heterogenous Computing to Reduce Time to Embed AI into Standard Business Processes

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 5: By 2023, 50% of Core Enterprise Datacenters and 75% of Major Edge IT Sites Will Leverage ML- and AI-Enabled Controls to Transform Maintenance and Improve the Efficient Use of Energy Resources

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 6: In 2022, 30% of Consumer-Facing Businesses Will Deploy and Securely Operate Infrastructure to Deliver an Optimal Digital Experience for Customers, Employees, and Smart Things in Many Locations

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 7: By 2024, Over 75% of Infrastructure in Edge Locations Will Be Consumed/Operated via an as-a-Service Model, as Will More than Half of Datacenter Infrastructure

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 8: By 2021, Close Scrutiny from Regulators/Governments on Infrastructure Standards and AI Use Will Shape Enterprises' Technology and Facility Choices, Similar to Developments in Data Protection/Privacy

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 9: By 2022, 40% of Companies Will Incorporate Metrics on Digital Resiliency for Autonomous Facilities and Provider-Operated Infrastructure into C-Level and Board-Level Business Dashboards

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 10: By 2022, 60% of Companies Will Rely on Colocation Partners to Provide Most of the Connectivity Services and Power-Optimized Facilities Designed to Improve Performance for Edge-Based AI Investments

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Advice for Technology Buyers

External Drivers: Detail

The Age of Innovation: Driving the Future Enterprise

Accelerated Disruption: Navigating Business Challenges as Volatility Intensifies

The Platform Economy: Competing at Hyperscale

Sense, Compute, Act: Maximizing Data Value

Crisis of Digital Trust: Escalating Threats Mandate Strategic Responses

Intelligence Everywhere: AI's Opportunity and Implications

Rising Customer Expectations: More Convenience, Customization, and Control

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