35% of organizations to adopt IMC through 2015, finds Gartner

Date: 04/04/2013
Gartner forecasts fast emerging in-memory computing (IMC) to reach $1 billion by 2016. IMC is becoming more affordable and consuming less time in database processing by using innovative architectures.

"The relentless declines in DRAM and NAND flash memory prices, the advent of solid-state drive technology and the maturation of specific software platforms have enabled IMC to become more affordable and impactful for IT organizations," said Massimo Pezzini, vice president and Gartner Fellow. "Organizations that do not consider adopting in-memory application infrastructure technologies risk being out-innovated by competitors that are early mainstream users of these capabilities," said Mr. Pezzini.

Gartner says "IMC is an emerging paradigm enabling user organisations to develop applications that run advanced queries or perform complex transactions on very large datasets at least one order of magnitude faster — and in a more scalable way — than when using conventional architectures. It achieves this by storing application data in a computer's main DRAM, rather than on electromagnetic disks, and without compromising the availability, consistency and integrity of that data. "

Gartner explains "In-memory-enabling application infrastructure technologies consist of in-memory database management systems, in-memory data grids, high-performance messaging infrastructures, complex-event processing platforms, in-memory analytics and in-memory application servers. These technologies are being used to address a wide variety of application scenarios requiring a combination of speed of execution, scalability and insightful analytics."

Gartner says "the rapid penetration of IMC and its likely adoption by at least 35 percent of midsize and large organizations through 2015 (up from less than 10 percent in 2012) will be determined by factors such as expanding demand for real-time analytics for ever larger volumes of fast-changing data, growing requirements for 24/7 operations driven by globalization, and the increasing availability of IMC-enabled packaged business applications. However, several issues, such as a lack of standards, the scarcity of skills, relative architectural complexity, security concerns, and monitoring and management challenges, will need to be addressed for IMC to achieve mainstream adoption."

"Vendors that don't have an established presence in the IMC market, or those looking to expand their IMC offering, will acquire small players with advanced technology or an established presence in the market, which will lead to market consolidation," said Mr. Pezzini.

"During the next two to three years, IMC will become a key element in the strategy of organizations focused on improving effectiveness and business growth. Organizations looking for cost containment and efficiency will also increasingly embrace IMC," said Mr. Pezzini.