As an ongoing process to implement ILM across the enterprise, Ngai noted that IT continues to study the data and send out questionnaires to users, as it expands the new ILM storage infrastructure to cover data from other applications and whenever they are planning new releases of applications.

Manual before automation

Under the SNIA's ILM roadmap, automation plays an important part as enterprises move towards phases four and five. Yet very few local users have applied significant automation in the process.

More enterprises are applying ILM strategies with semi-automation, noted Gabriel Leung, general manager, Hong Kong of EMC. For example, container and logistic company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), who recently implemented a ILM strategy with EMC, has only automated the email archiving process so far, said Leung.

"Although many have a defined process concerning their ILM strategy, it still takes time for them to feel comfortable in automating the process," he added.