CIOL: What do you think will drive the traction of PODs?

Stephen: The evolution of cloud computing is causing data to grow at an exponential 2/3 rate due to large content-rich data.

With the growing sophistication of cloud technology, organizations require a massive data engine built on next-generation, dense compute and storage systems that are easy to manage in order to deliver on cloud computing services.

The HP POD benefits organizations with limited space and budget and critical mobility needs with scalable, flexible and secure infrastructures across multiple locations.

HP sees the largest opportunity with customers who simply need additional data centre capacity, because they’ve reached their limits in power and cooling capacity, and/or physical space, as well as for green field data centres going in for the first time, often to support new facilities.

This includes Web 2.0, cloud computing and scale-out customers who continue to need large amounts of extremely power-dense compute or storage to deliver their services.

CIOL: How many of HP's 40 foot PODs (launched in 2008) have been deployed so far?

Stephen: Whilst we are not able to disclose the number of PODs deployed, HP has been successful in deploying 40-ft PODs to major customers in the US and European countries.

CIOL: How many more contracts are in pipeline for the 20 foot POD?

Stephen: We are working with many key customers and prospects in every region on the 20-ft POD and it is no different in APJ Region.

CIOL: Do you see a market for PODs in India?

Stephen: India is a key growth country for HP, and we are seeing a strong interest from Indian customers for POD solutions. This comes as no surprise as many businesses in India are witnessing a rapid growth in information within their organizations.

To support this growth and time to market pressures, they are looking for IT infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed. However, with challenges in availability of real-estate, power, cooling and the right personnel, these could take months to be built.

The POD requires about 20 percent less capex than traditional brick and mortar data centres, and allows businesses to pay-as-you-grow when additional capacity is needed.