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A successful, cloud data center depends on many things, yet the most critical component of implementing any cloud data center relies heavily on the solid physical infrastructure of the business. Without that, companies will find deploying the cloud data center difficult, time consuming and hard on the pocketbook.

The reality is that most companies are making the switch to the cloud to save money in the first place. They are driven to the cloud because of the increase in demands on their existing data centers.

As resources grow scarce and businesses require added flexibility, the cloud becomes more intensive.

With a still weakened economy, companies look to do more with less, and both public and private cloud deployments offer a reduction in operating expenses, easy maintenance and implementation and higher productivity, according to a recent Panduit white paper.

The environment is ripe for the increased adoption of the cloud data center.

As many begin the cloud pilot program or even deployment, cloud data center managers are realizing the entire process isn't as easy as they thought. While the cloud can minimize the need for computing hardware, it still needs a robust physical infrastructure. In order to truly maximize the cloud data center's benefits, investing in the infrastructure first, before implementation, can save a lot of time and money.

During the next two years, it is expected that more and more companies will join the cloud data center trend with growth in both private and hybrid cloud deployment models. More than 39 percent of IT executives are already using the cloud for data center services with another 48 percent still evaluating it, according to a recent IDG Research Services study.

The report also showed that 24 percent of this same group of IT executives aren't strangers to cloud services and are using them on an enterprise basis.

For those 48 percent looking at all the options of a cloud data center, the game plan is simple. It is imperative that businesses take the time to ensure there is a physical infrastructure in place to handle the migration. This includes a centrally managed operation and an integrated logical solution. There is a lot to a cloud data center that depends on the infrastructure. 


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Without it, equipment like the virtualization that enables IT staff to reduce the number of hardware servers and storage devices couldn't do their jobs.

When building a home, you wouldn't skip the step of pouring the concrete for the basement would you? Laying the ground work for a solid physical infrastructure is no different. Why implement the cloud for your company's services if it won't run as efficiently as you need it to?

Many data center managers have already discovered that using the cloud doesn't negate the need for in-house physical components. In fact, the physical design is key to the cloud's success.

Ironic, isn't it?

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