Techniques for tracking, searching, and sharing metadata, especially through standardizing the use of a format such as XML Schema, would be a substantial benefit for data search and access. In addition, on-line datasets and databases and market-driven technologies have great potential applications in data center operations.

Data centers and their sponsoring agencies must still consider the interaction between people and technology, rather than simply focusing on technology. One panelist suggested that it would be useful to improve the way available resources are promoted and communicated to users. Data centers should define the true metric of their performance carefully: better user services, decreased costs, increased number of users?