This year's study shows that 83% of respondents are planningdata center expansions in the next 12 to 24 months, while 36% havedefinite plans to make those expansions during 2010. Among otherhighlights: The top reason for data center expansions the need foradditional power, and data center/ IT budgets are both projected toincrease by 8% percent in 2010.

Chris Crosby, senior vice president of corporate development forDigital Realty, says that the survey findings "point to strongdemand for data center space this year and next year as a largemajority of enterprises expand their IT infrastructure." One of themost interesting results of the study is that power is now playingsuch a large role in expansions, Crosby says.

"Another key finding of this study is the increasing importanceof data center partners in these corporate expansions," Crosbynotes. "More than ever before, enterprises are turning to wholesaleproviders and other specialists for these data centers in order toleverage their expertise and to reduce or eliminate capitalexpenses."