If like most of our clients you are thinking about upgrading or installing a new Data Centre Infrastructure (DCIM) tool you have probably been reading a lot of marketing hype about how easy they are to install and how, straight out of the box, they will transform your ability to manage your data centre!
Well of course the bad news is that they won’t! The good news is that if you are able to throw a lot of resource at the problem you can make a huge difference. When installed and maintained correctly DCIM software can transform your decision making by providing all the data you need in the format you want and automating processes to save costs.
“Not just monitoring”
The first problem clients face when evaluating DCIM software is comparing vendors offerings. Even the term DCIM includes a wide range of products some of which are just monitoring systems. At AIT we consider that a DCIM tool has to combine real time monitoring, capacity planning and work processes in a single tool to achieve significant results and cost savings. Even so that still leaves a large number of players in the market. So how do you make a choice?
“Identify what you need and stick to it”
Comparing product features against requirements is the most common methodology but this is open to “mission creep” so that “nice to haves” become “key criteria” during the evaluation process. Software vendor salespeople can be very skilled at promoting features you didn’t know you needed and influencing decisions. By focusing on the original project objectives and taking a holistic view rather then comparing features you stand a better chance of succeeding. After all one of the benefits of a DCIM tool is that it will give you a view of the wood not just the trees.
“Professional Installation is the key to success”
Remember that whatever the marketing blurb says DCIM isn’t easy to install! Unless you already have all the data on physical assets and power and networking connections audited in a single platform, in which case why would you buy a DCIM tool, it will require a labour intensive process of auditing and collating data before it can be loaded into your new software! Don’t underestimate this process, it is the key to a successful project. Be wary of promises about auto discovery tools, most of the better solutions claim to have them but we are yet to see “real” evidence that they deliver the necessary level of detail.
“Rubbish in rubbish out”
Of equal importance is the adaptation of your internal processes to ensure that the model of your Data Centre in the DCIM software stays true to reality. You will need to make sure that resource is allocated to maintaining the integrity of the data base to avoid the obvious “rubbish in rubbish out” scenario that can happen quickly in a dynamic environment like a data centre and render your expensive investment in software worthless.
If you are considering a DCIM project please talk to AIT. We have unrivalled expertise and experience of installing and maintaining DCIM intelligence tools in the UK. With expertise in IT and Facilities we understand the unique problems of integrating information in a Data Centre and with clients including British Airways. AIT has the experience to ensure your project is a success.
For more information on AIT Partnership Group’s capabilities please go to www.ait-pg.co.uk or call 0845 017 7017 to speak to a consultant.
