CIOs: Software-defined technologies the way of the future

The drive for innovation is boosting demand for software-defined technologies in the APAC region, says IDC.

The digitisation of 'everything' is driving a fast moving trend whereby data center hardware resources are being homogenised, and customised hardware platforms are shifting towards software control, orchestration, and service delivery solutions, IDC says.

This demand has also resulted in the emergence of software defined infrastructure (SDI) solutions, which operate independent of any hardware-specific dependencies and are programmatically extensible.

IDC sees the same digital transformation trend in Asia Pacific and believes that a company's ability to adapt will determine its competitive ability.

This transformation will include a fresh look at how IT infrastructure is managed and how applications are developed, deployed and supported in a fast paced manner given Asian companies' strong drive for innovation.

In IDC's recent Asia Pacific C-Suite Barometer 2015 Report, delivering innovation, simplifying IT infrastructure and building better management tools emerged as the top priorities for organisations across the region.

"The ongoing digital transformation requires a closer look at the underlying IT architecture. This transformation will utilise integrated systems, flash storage, and software defined solutions to help enable automation functions in greater depth.

"Specifically and ultimately, software defined technologies have the potential to help make today's businesses more nimble by injecting utmost flexibility, agility, and operational efficiency onto their IT infrastructure," says Simon Piff, IDC associate vice president Enterprise Infrastructure Asia/Pacific.

Piff added that before IT departments decide on taking the first step towards digital transformation, CIOs need to plan ahead and ensure that their data center architecture incorporates the core elements of cloud, 'software defined', integrated infrastructure, and security.

"A combination of these elements will determine an organisation's ability to drive transformation for a mobile intensive, data driven, and competitive business environment. As technology evolves, successful CIOs will be those that have factored in technology evolution into their transformation journey," he says