Hybrid cloud and hybrid IT environments are bringing new complexities to capacity management and demand forecasting. Global organizations are adopting various strategies, so the impact on demand/capacity can vary greatly. Managers and strategists are seeking to better understand the capacity impact of choices available to them. And certain key technologies, such as public cloud services, virtualization, and IT hardware selection, can play a crucial role.

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, Uptime Institute Intelligence research suggests there are select areas worth investigating and integrating into any capacity management and forecasting strategy. Specific recommendations are listed at the end of this summary report.