In today’s digital world, data centers are the heart of many companies. Improvements here mean improvements throughout the organization, and the same applies to disruptions. One of the best tools companies have to improve data center performance is predictive analytics.

What Is Predictive Analytics?

Predictive analytics is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses statistics and modeling techniques to predict what will happen in the future. It analyzes data sets to recognize patterns and then applies that knowledge to other data to catch those patterns as they emerge.

Since AI can connect data points far faster and more accurately than people, it can catch emerging situations far earlier. Because of this, it’s become commonplace in processes like weather forecasts, marketing strategies, and anti-fraud monitoring.

How Does Predictive Analytics Affect Data Center Performance?

Predictive analytics is an ideal tool for any high-value or high-risk process, especially those involving lots of data. Data center operations check all of those boxes.

Here’s a closer look at the various ways that predictive models can improve data center performance.

Optimizing Storage

One of the most useful applications of predictive analytics in data centers is storage optimization. Predictive models can recognize when bottlenecks may arise and automatically adjust workflows to avoid them. These algorithms analyze current storage and usage needs to balance latency, bandwidth, fault tolerance, and other performance factors.

Storage optimization techniques like deduplication and compression can improve performance, but not evenly across all situations. Predictive analytics accounts for that by employing the best strategies for the situation at hand to meet a data center’s specific needs. Companies can then make the most of their data.

Preventing Mechanical Failures

Another crucial role predictive analytics can play here is preventing failure. Wireless sensors can provide real-time thermal data to give a better picture of a data center’s immediate cooling needs. Predictive models then analyze and provide recommendations based on this information to keep every part of a data center at optimal temperatures.

This temperature control is crucial for data center performance. Overheating shut down a Microsoft data center for 16 hours in 2013 and caused flight delays and cancellations for British Airways in 2017. Real-time thermal monitoring and optimization through predictive analytics can prevent these disastrous scenarios.

Detecting Cybercrime

Similarly, predictive analytics engines can also monitor for possible cyberattacks in a data center. Experts predict cybercrime will cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, making it a pressing concern for any data center operation. Since cybercrime is continually evolving, companies must look for threats that may have slipped through the cracks.

Predictive models can monitor data center operations for suspicious activity. When they notice something unusual, they can alert workers and segment the network to contain the threat. That way, organizations can stop cyberattacks before they jeopardize the entire data center.

Reducing IT Staff Workloads

All of these benefits have another advantage in common: they reduce IT staff members’ workloads. Without predictive analytics, IT workers would have to handle storage issues, failures, and network monitoring manually. When they don’t have to spend as much time in those areas, they can focus on others.

As predictive analytics prevents situations that would add to IT workloads, workers can accomplish more than they would otherwise be able to. Considering that 73% of IT leaders expect to have difficulty filling open tech positions, this productivity boost could be a substantial advantage. Teams could mitigate talent shortages that plague the industry right now.

Predictive Analytics Maximize Data Center Performance

Predictive analytics can boost performance in virtually every part of data center operations. With a more efficient, flexible, and secure data center, organizations can use tech to its full potential.

Companies today can’t operate without a well-functioning data center. Predictive analytics ensures they have that – and helps businesses stay competitive in an increasingly tech-centric market.