GAO warns: Reporting failures could sink federal data center consolidation

July 24, 2012
Out of 24 agencies surveyed by the GAO, 17 did not provide full reporting information on energy usage.

As reported in Politico and elsewhere, for the second consecutive year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the overwhelming majority of federal agencies required to consolidate data centers under an Obama administration plan are submitting documents that are lacking key metrics such as full cost-benefit analysis results, energy usage reporting, and required cost savings information.

According to the reports, out of 24 agencies surveyed by GAO, 17 did not provide full information on energy usage; 21 agencies did not fully report their expected cost savings. The GAO says that a large part of the reason that federal agencies’ inventories remain incomplete is the challenge presented by gathering data center power information. Citing a lack of structure and accountability, the GAO warns that, given the present circumstances, the government's data center consolidation plan may not reach full potential cost savings by its target date.

Download the full GAO report, DATA CENTER CONSOLIDATION: Agencies Making Progress on Efforts, but Inventories and Plans Need to Be Completed (PDF)

Related stories:Federal energy audit tallies government data center inefficiencies

Report says Pentagon's data center needs could scuttle cost-cutting

Feds say no data center consolidation till 2020

Sponsored Recommendations

March 28, 2025
Bringing University of Tennesee's campus up to speed.
March 28, 2025
CommScope’s FiberGuide® Design Pro helps you design a complete fiber raceway for your data center or central office using 2D and 3D technology. This video guides you through the...
March 28, 2025
CommScope and Equinix work hand in hand to provide client connectivity across the globe