SearchDataCenter.com has published their 2007 data center purchasing survey. There are many interesting nuggets of data regarding data center spending, here’s what caught my eye:

Platform Growth

Windows and Linux are the primary data center growth areas. Here is the breakdown:

• Windows – 6.3%
• Linux – 4.8%
• Mainframe – 2.6%
• IBM AIX- 1.6%
• Solaris – 1.6%
• HP Unix – 1.3%
• IBM iSeries – 1.3%

CMDB Adoption Rate

The top criterion for choosing systems management software was functionality, price was a distant second.  Ironically the number one reason for not investing in systems management software was “No Budget”.

• 24% have a CMDB installed
• 25% are looking at CMDB
• 47% have no CMDB
• 4% have planned for installing a CMDB

Of the respondents implementing ITIL, 65% said that ITIL support was a criterion in their systems management software purchases.

This survey was very interesting as it cited ITIL and CMDB as gaining acceptance while spending was somewhat flat. Systems management investment was driven by a need for increase staff productivity.  Obviously with Zenoss Core 2.0 sporting CMDB it’s a great opportunity for Zenoss users to achieve these goals on even the most restrictive budgets.