The survey, conducted by Telehouse, also showed that most organisations questioned were looking to expand their data centre requirements adding to the current capacity crunch and putting more pressure on UK data centre providers.

Security (28%) and price (26%) were the two factors most organisations most look for when choosing a data centre, followed by power (16%).

Although the demand for data centre space is at a premium the survey showed that if a data centre provider can not offer a service with a suitable level of security and power, and at a competitive price point, organisations will look elsewhere.

83 per cent of respondents stated that access to additional data centre capacity before 2012 is either critical or important to their business.

For years sectors like finance have required huge amounts of data centre space to meet legislative guidelines but, according to the BroadGroup this demand is increasing as new sectors introduce new services.

62 per cent of media companies surveyed by the analyst agency stated that new online media services such as on-demand TV meant that their data centre is ‘a lot more’ important to their business than it had been two years previously.

This new demand is also driving power requirements in the sector as these new services require significantly more power – up to 20kW per rack than traditional services.

“The findings mirror the feedback we have received from our customers. London has for a long time come under scrutiny regarding power and data centre space.

Many rival European cities cite more flexible government legislation over power consumption to be a key reason for attracting data centre vendors and organisations alike.

With the average UK power prices increasing and data centre space at a premium, it is critical that organisations chose to partner with a vendor that can meet their needs now and into the future,” said By Bob Harris, Technical Director, Telehouse.

“Although power was regarded as critical, surprisingly only a small per cent of respondents stated that green credentials were a defining factor when choosing a data centre.

“We expect this to dramatically increase in importance as the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme comes to fruition next year and organisations have to balance their carbon footprint,” concluded Harris.

Data resilience (16%) and accessibility (11%) were also regarded as important to the respondents.

Telehouse recently announced its Telehouse West facility, an £80 million state-of-the-art datacentre in London’s Docklands that will provide 19,000 square metres of secure data centre space for UK businesses.

The facility will meet the power, security and price demands of the market.

Telehouse West is the first major data centre to gain planning permission in London since stringent sustainability requirements were written into the city’s legislation.

One of the reasons for the project’s approval was the range of innovative green power schemes.

Commended for its continued focus on employee engagement, Rackspace has ranked as one of the top ten companies for people, who love what they do, believe in the company and its future and deliver a great service.

Rackspace has, for the third year running, been featured in the top tier of the Sunday Times Best Employer Awards. The Awards, which are based on employee interviews, indicate that Rackspace has created a fun and caring environment that helps nurture and grow individual talent.

The Sunday Times notes that 89 percent of Rackspace employees that responded to the survey are excited about where the company is going, with 79 percent saying their work is great for their personal growth and 95 per cent stating that they are proud to work for the organisation.

Brian Thomson, EMEA Managing Director at Rackspace, comments: “We are very proud of all the progress we have made in our business over the last year and what is truly pleasing is that as the company has grown our ‘Rackers’ continue to feel valued in their roles.

“We are thrilled to see that our employees love what they do and are excited at where the business is going. Our continued success is without doubt because of our Racker’s tireless dedication to Fanatical Support and the passion they show every single day.”

Rackspace is one of the UK’s most successful and fastest growing providers of IT hosting services.

It has consistently been recognised for its excellence as an IT employer, with a number of accolades, most recently being one of only14 companies to receive a Laureate award from the Financial Times for being one of the best places to work in the UK and Europe 2009.

The high level content and debate will set the agenda on exploiting Green technologies over the coming year (www.datacentres.com/dce).

A high calibre line up of top speakers and experts includes data centre gurus, Christian Belady, Director of Hardware Architecture – Partner Extreme Computing Group, Microsoft Research, Michael Manos, Vice President, Service Operations, Nokia, Roy Zeighami, UCS Power and Cooling TME, Cisco and Laurent Vernerey, President & CEO IT Business, Schneider Electric; Europe’s data centre leaders, Anthony Foy, Managing Director, Interxion, Michael Tobin, CEO, TelecityGroup, Eric Schwartz, President, Equinix Europe, and Bernard Geoghegan, Senior Vice President of International Operations, Digital Realty Trust and Guy Willner, Chairman, Data Gardens Russia.

Special presentations will be made by Paul-François Cattier, Vice President France, Benelux & French speaking Africa, APC by Schneider Electric, on the results of a new study by the Data Centre Group in France, and Marion Howard Healy, Associate Consultant, BroadGroup on a new study of Private Cloud.

In addition the expert speaker academy includes Dr. Paolo Bertoldi, Principal Administrator, European Commission Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Ellen Brigham, Director of Product Marketing – Juniper Networks, Candi Carrera, Director Client Service Operations, eBRC, Pieter Duijves, Managing Director, Parthenon Data Centres BV, Charlie Forte, Vice President, Global Operations and Infrastructure, BP, J. Clifford Gauntlett, Managing Partner, Solent Media Group, Peter Hannaford, Vice President, Datacenters & Alliances EMEA/LAM, APC by Schneider Electric, Andrew Harrington, Partner, AHV Associates LLP, Andrew Jay, Senior Director, CB Richard Ellis, Apostolos Kakkos, CEO, Lamda Hellix Data Centers, Andreas König, Senior Vice President and General Manager EMEA, NetApp Deutschland GmbH, Chad Lamb PhD, Director of Engineering, XKL, Bernard Lecanu, President, BLIC Consultants, Catalina McGregor, United Nations Agency ITU-T Liaison Officer to OECD and EC/EU, Rocco Panetta, Partner Panetta & Associati, Rome and Member of the Italian Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Commission, Alex Rabbetts, Managing Director, Migration Solutions, and Steve Wallage, Managing Director, BroadGroup Consulting.

The 2-day international meeting includes the content-led conference, annual prestigious Awards dinner which this year includes the European Green Initiative Awards which has been endorsed and will be presented by the Green Grid, an industry exhibition, and special workshops.

Sponsors and Partners include APC by Schneider Electric, Interxion, TelecityGroup, XKL, H2O Networks, Euclyde, Digital Realty Trust, eBRC, Migration Solutions, BL International Consultants, Equinix, Cadwin FM, Lamda Hellix Data Centers, ARUP, Scottish Development International, APL, Surf Telecoms, Stulz, Conteg, Microsoft, CBRE, Noodlesoft Technologies, The Colocation Exchange, Gimélec, Data Centres News Search, IX Consulting, IT One, Econference and Global Security Magazine.

The addition of FibreSpan’s dedicated dark fibre network to Interxion’s London City data centre brings its total portfolio of carriers to 32, offering Interxion’s customers an even wider range of connectivity options.

In addition, FibreSpan’s customers are now able to locate their mission-critical systems in one of the most desirable colocation facilities in the UK.

FibreSpan specialises in the design, construction, and maintenance of bespoke dark fibre and ultra-high-bandwidth managed networks.

It was one of the first to pioneer the delivery of dedicated dark fibre to multiple customers – consisting of digital media post production houses, financial organisations, local authorities, hospitals and universities – connected to its bespoke point-to-point networks.

Interxion’s data centre, located in the heart of the City, offers some of the lowest latency on the market and provides a highly secure physical location with advanced infrastructure for mission-critical applications.

High-density power configurations from 5 kW up to 30 kW are available as standard, with industry-leading service levels and availability and 24×7 secure access to equipment.

“Interxion’s central City location was a critical factor in our decision-making process because everything we do is focused on low latency”, said Robert Bicket, Chief Executive Officer at FibreSpan.

“All of our financial and digital media customers look to us to provide them with the lowest latency possible, so we always ensure our networks are designed to deliver just that.”

“FibreSpan is another excellent example of the successful execution of our segment strategy which focuses on bringing together communities of interest that can benefit from close proximity to one another,” said Kevin Dean, Chief Marketing Officer Interxion.

“With the addition of FibreSpan to our roster of connectivity partners, we are particularly excited about being able to enhance the low-latency connectivity options available to financial services and digital media customers,” concludes Dean.

The five-year colocation agreement will provide ample space, power and connectivity to grow and develop Sage Germany’s comprehensive portfolio of software solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as allowing them to launch flexible and reliable next-generation business management solutions in the future.

Sage Germany offers an extensive range of highly integrated solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises that are well-suited for almost all business applications.

The Sage portfolio includes software to manage enterprise resource planning, production, financial accounting, business intelligence, human resource management, customer relationship management, and solutions for specific industries.

To guarantee maximum availability, security and resilience, Interxion’s Frankfurt facility provides 2N UPS power and N+1 cooling, in addition to advanced local and pan-European monitoring systems.

It offers significant economies of scale compared to in-house infrastructure as well as ample capacity, enabling customers to scale to match fluctuating demand.

With direct access to over 150 networks, Interxion’s Frankfurt data centre campus is also Germany’s largest data hub.

“Making Interxion’s Frankfurt facility our primary data centre gives us the security, uptime and connectivity we need to operate our IT and business processes professionally and efficiently,” said Juergen Thon, Director of Customer Service and IT, Sage Software GmbH.

“In addition, hosting our IT equipment at Germany’s largest data hub enables optimum performance and availability online, a crucial service element for our clients.”

“Our connectivity-rich infrastructure is a good match to the needs of advanced solutions providers like Sage,” said Peter Knapp, Interxion Germany Managing Director.

“Interxion provides high-power configurations, state-of-the-art infrastructure and security and uniform, internationally accredited professional processes, creating the ideal environment for hosting, operating and developing Sage’s advanced IT solutions in Germany.”

The Secure Network Fabric integrates 3Com’s industry-leading H3C® enterprise network and security solutions and TippingPoint® intrusion prevention system (IPS) technology to reduce network security risks, management complexity and infrastructure costs in modern data centers.

With centralized policy management across security and networking operations, 3Com’s Secure Network Fabric now reaches into virtualized data centers to ensure comprehensive security and help drive down the cost of application deployment for both physical and virtual environments while delivering a low total cost of ownership.

Virtual environments must meet the same stringent network and security requirements as their physical counterparts, and 3Com’s range of networking and security solutions support and secure the migration to a virtualized data center.

As key components of the 3Com Secure Network Fabric, the H3C and TippingPoint solutions help organizations mitigate risks to business continuity by protecting network-connected devices and by defending critical points against ever-evolving global security threats.

To support and broaden the Secure Network Fabric in the virtualized data center, 3Com introduces four new solutions for large enterprises, including:

H3C S9500E – A new data center and enterprise core switching platform, the H3C S9500E rounds out the industry’s broadest and most scalable network infrastructure portfolio.

The S9500E has the high performance, flexibility and capacity to meet the most rigorous core and data center applications in an energy-efficient platform, and enables virtualized services on the network while helping to reduce operational expense. [H3C S9500E Product Announcement]

TippingPoint Secure Virtualization Framework Solution – This new virtualization solution will enable organizations to pass virtual machine (VM) traffic – including host-to-host traffic – through a TippingPoint Intrusion Prevention System Platform.

The TippingPoint Secure Virtualization Framework extends TippingPoint’s industry-leading threat research capabilities, breadth of protection, ease-of-use and security automation capabilities into the virtual infrastructure. [TippingPoint Virtualization Product Announcement]

TippingPoint 1500S – A new purpose-built Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) appliance, the TippingPoint® 1500S effectively and safely decrypts and inspects secure Web traffic without impacting network or application performance. It prevents encrypted attacks from compromising virtual and physical Web servers and Web applications. [TippingPoint 1500S Product Announcement]

TippingPoint ThreatLinQ 2.0 – Enhancements to the ThreatLinQ global security intelligence portal deliver new functionality to enable customers to create filter profiles customized for their network environment, correlate emerging threats with the latest Digital Vaccine® filters, and implement policy changes based on real-time threat information quickly to their TippingPoint IPS Platforms. [ThreatLinQ 2.0 Announcement]

“Although the deployment of virtual networks provides organizations with the ability to design an efficient data center that is easier to manage and more cost effective, the business benefits could be negated by increased security exposure and the new complexities of today’s evolving threat landscape,” said Ron Sege, president and COO of 3Com.

“Our new virtual networking and security solutions address this exposure and help customers drive towards uncompromised security, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.”

With over 20,000 users a day worldwide signing up to use their application, Nimbuzz had an urgent requirement for a best-in-class, highly connected facility which also offered them flexibility, support, and room to grow.

The Nimbuzz servers have already been installed in the recently constructed Interxion AMS5 data centre in Amsterdam.

This 7,000 m2 highly secure facility provides 2N UPS redundancy and N+1 backup generators, and gives direct access to 30 carriers and ISPs as well as the AMS-IX and NL-IX Internet Exchanges.

While providing high-density power configurations to customers as standard, it also features numerous energy-efficient design and operation measures and runs on a mixture of wind, biomass and hydroelectric-generated energy.

The Nimbuzz application supports social networks including Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, ICQ, Skype, and local social networks such as Hyves in the Netherlands.

As well as providing one-stop access to social networks, since November 2009 Nimbuzz has also offered its own VoIP service.

“Nimbuzz is growing at a rate way beyond expectation both in terms of users and product features. We therefore needed a state of the art datacenter to handle such demands.

We are confident that Interxion will provide the capacity and service to cope with our rapid development, enabling us do more and grow faster,” said Evert Jaap Lugt, founder and CEO of Nimbuzz.

“Although we only moved to Interxion recently, we have already noticed significant improvements in service and performance levels. Interxion is a thoroughly professional partner with a high level of in-house expertise, and they have provided us with a secure, high-performance environment in which to grow.”

“We are delighted to be supporting a Dutch success story like Nimbuzz, and are well placed to expand with them, whatever their future needs,” said Michel van den Assem, Interxion Netherlands Managing Director.

“Nimbuzz is an extremely innovative company, and we specialize in providing secure, connected state-of-the-art infrastructure that supports and facilitates the latest and best applications.”

Launched this month and superceding the original SafeDNS, this version represents a new phase in DNS management.

Providing full administrative privileges to the user, the server control panel offers the freedom to control what web domains you host and where.

Completely designed by UKFast’s R & D department, the SafeDNS system is a simple and secure approach to domain hosting.

Some of the DNS platform’s exciting new developments include enabling the user to host an unlimited number of branded domains, performing updates in real time, changing MX, A-name and TXT records and setting up sub-domains.

Neil Lathwood, UKFast’s IT Director, says, “Our DNS server system is straightforward and extremely easy-to-use, whether you are technically minded or not.

“Designed and built in-house, we are so confident in the solution that we use it ourselves. With our competitors also adopting it, we can guarantee its effectiveness for DNS management.”

The poll of 500 web designers(1) conducted with .NET magazine (www.netmag.co.uk) found that more than half of web designers and developers admit to having worked in an environment where they used unlicensed web design software.

As licences for web design software can often cost small agencies thousands of pounds, recent economic pressures are a likely factor in the problem.

Fasthosts recently announced its work with Microsoft to promote the WebsiteSpark program – an initiative that provides eligible users with free licenses for Microsoft Expression® and Visual Studio® software.

The initiative is a good example of how web professionals can access software through legitimate schemes and so avoid the risks of using unlicensed software.

According to Fasthosts’ survey of .NET magazine readers, the use of unlicensed software by web professionals is rife in the UK. 59 per cent of those surveyed have placed themselves, their colleagues and their work at risk by using unlicensed software to create websites.

If a worker uses software without a license number, or if the license only entitles its use for an individual machine and it is copied and installed on multiple computers, the company is likely to be breaking the law – often punishable with a substantial fine.

In a recently reported case, a London-based website design agency was fined a 5-figure sum for its use of illegal software.

There is also strong evidence that the use of unlicensed software can be a false economy – users often face bugs and do not benefit from access to support services which can result in downtime and delays.

Comments from those who took the poll suggest that the use of illegal software is a common cause of frustration and concern for the web design community.

A number of those affected describe tensions between those responsible for IT budgets and licences, and creative staff expected to use the software.

Steve Holford, CMO Fasthosts Internet Ltd., said, “Great web projects can often rely on the latest software and at times businesses may be tempted to cut corners with their software licenses.

“Web designers should not struggle with sub-standard software or more importantly jeopardise their future by using illegal software”.

Dan Oliver, Editor of .NET magazine, comments, “With tight deadlines, and tighter budgets, it’s understandable – though clearly not recommended – to hear of people being asked to use pirated software.

“It’s unrealistic to put the onus on employees, the message needs to get through to employers. We’re hoping that technologies such as SaaS can go some way to lessening the problem of pirated software in the web design industry”.

FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) has an ‘employee whistle-blowing’ campaign to tackle employers who pressurise staff into installing illegal software.

John Lovelock, Chief Executive of FAST, comments, “The software industry is a vital part of the economy and deserves the same protection as counterfeit consumer goods.

“We want workers to know there is support and the means to combat any illegal behaviour by contacting us via our website www.fast.org, and have protection in law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (Whistleblower Act).

“We hope that by raising awareness of the laws protecting employees, the number willing to blow the whistle will increase and reduce the illegal use of software,” added Lovelock.

Nowadays there are industry schemes that can provide eligible web pros with free access to fully licensed professional software.

For example, Microsoft’s WebsiteSpark program offers support for web design and development agencies with up to 10 employees.

Eligible Fasthosts customers gain an immediate financial benefit – saving £240 per year with a free Windows Server license and saving even more with a free MSSQL license.

Upon enrolment, members gain access to free Windows Expression® Studio 2 (1 user license), Expression® Web 2 (2 user licenses), Visual Studio® 2008 Professional Edition (3 user licenses) and DotNetPanel control panel.

Holford added, “Smaller web agencies, perhaps more prone to budget constraints, should be aware that there are schemes out there designed to help.

“WebsiteSpark is an apt example that delivers exactly what they need most – free tools and practical help. Your web host can be a good source of advice on the latest initiatives available”.

As a long-standing expert for MS web hosting, Fasthosts is a trusted partner to thousands of web professionals. Combined with Fasthosts’ current price reductions on Windows Server packages, now is an opportune time for users to refresh their access to Microsoft web development solutions.

Free support and training opportunities from the WebsiteSpark program include unlimited access to technical newsgroups on MSDN, unlimited program support and two technical support consultations per membership, as well as relevant events and activities.

More details can be found at www.fasthosts.co.uk/dedicatedservers/microsoft-websitespark-program or by calling 0844 583 0777.

As a leading web host, Fasthosts offers a comprehensive range of web solutions including domain name registrations, email solutions (including mobile email services), shared web hosting, dedicated servers, online payment services, reseller web hosting and feature-rich broadband packages.

This year’s conference will bring Europe’s largest meeting of CIOs and CTOs from the capital markets together to take part in a series of interactive panel discussions and roundtables on the infrastructure behind high-frequency trading and execution. The topics will range from building scalable systems to latency-competitive connectivity issues.

As part of its support for the event, Interxion’s Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Dean will be hosting the execution venue panel on ‘Assessing Best Low-Latency Technologies and Achieving the Fastest Connection to Different Liquidity Pools’.

The panel, starting at 9:40am on the 11th, will be looking at the following themes: what’s happening with exchange trading systems, how to transfer the cost of technology to profit, the pros and cons of gravitational effects of latency and energy, making technology easy to understand for stakeholders and also the best practice of organising a distributed EMS to support multiple colocation service and distributed algorithms.

Dean, explains, “The TradeTech Architecture Conference provides an important forum for sharing best practices on the key challenges currently facing the financial services industry.

“At Interxion’s Financial Hubs we host a large and growing community of exchanges, sell-side and buy-side firms, ISVs, and network service providers.

“We hope that through the summit we’ll be able to share our experience in reducing latency to the financial markets during an open and interactive discussion.”