TECHNOLOGY FOR CHANGE

Five Tips for Building Your 2010 Data Center Strategy

Eric Lundquist | Date: 09-21-09 | Comments

Thanks to virtualization, cloud computing and remote backup, it is getting difficult to even identify where your data center is located, so you'd be wise to follow these steps.

It used to be easy to size your data center. You�d count the number of employees and apps that would be hitting the servers, estimate the storage and data network requirements, and start plugging in numbers for heating, cooling and backup.

Once you had a reasonably accurate idea of what was needed, you�d add about 50 percent to your requirements. You knew it was better to overprovision and have some extra bucks in your pocket rather than trying to plan for just what you thought you needed and risk a phone call from the CEO wanting to know why the servers were down. And, of course, you�d add in money for one of those big yellow diesel generators that sit in the back lot and cough into action (you hope) when the power goes out.

Maybe it wasn�t quite that easy, but overprovisioning was the strategy that kept IT
administrators, HVAC contractors and diesel generator salespeople happy. Those days are gone.

Thanks to virtualization, cloud computing and remote backup, it will soon be very difficult to even identify where your data center is located. The growing number of remote workers and companies� reluctance to enter into real estate lease agreements that require a new, expensive data center build-out make it difficult�if not impossible�for the IT executive to look into the glass room and see if the lights are on and the servers are running.

Here are five steps to consider when pulling together your data center plans for 2010:

1. Question everything. Start with basic things, such as how often you have to replace all those lead acid batteries you use for backup. The old norms of every two to three years make little sense in an era of significant battery advances. Where�s the 10-year battery? If you are willing to question every aspect of system maintenance (where most of the IT budget continues to be consumed), you will start to find dollars for new projects.

2. Think blade servers, virtualization and cloud computing. In 2010, those technologies will move to the mainstream and will allow you to reduce your data center footprint internally and start to let service providers bear all those system maintenance costs.

3. Think radical. Do you even need a data center? You probably do now, but will you need one in five years? Do you have the people on staff and the training funds in place to prepare for the day when you and your team will manage a virtual environment and turn your data center into a lunchroom?

4. Use the vendor ROI tools that are available. Data center costs are not squishy, in contrast to investments in new business applications that may or may not pay off. Real estate, system maintenance, heating, air conditioning and electricity are real costs. Server consolidation using new chips and software can provide a nine-month payback. So be sure to out-bean count the bean counters.

5. Get out of the office�even if it�s just a virtual trip. The economy is showing some signs of recovery, and there are a lot of e-seminars and virtual trade shows that offer significant (and free) learning opportunities. In addition, social network groups built around technology topics offer a chance for you to interact with peers who are going through the same
process as you.

The issues you are encountering in strategic planning for your IT infrastructure are not unique to your company, so get some help and advice from your peers.

And there�s an additional benefit in being the one who not only saves your company money, but also helps push your IT infrastructure into the next technology area: The skills you hone in your company will be in demand throughout the economy. Now, that is job security you can bank on.

Click here for "THINK" Leadership Forum Presentation Videos

IBM Resources

Videos

TWITTER FEED

23 minutes agoGood morning from Los Angeles! #ibmcloud
26 minutes agoThat's it from me! Over to North America.
31 minutes agoThe data processing of Roland Garros 2012 (#RG12) rests on IBM Private Cloud http://t.co/JUaY1ItM [French Press release]
about 2 hours agoIBM Accelerates Business from Supply to Demand with New #Cloud Offerings For Smarter Commerce http://t.co/OFxknOb0 [Press Release]
about 3 hours agoHow IBM #SmartCloud Foundation technology powers cloud adoption? IBM VP @SLHebner explains here http://t.co/sSzfa0O5 [VIDEO]
about 4 hours agoIBM's Fiona Cullen will present ‘The Power of #Cloud: Driving Business Model’ On May 24 @ Utrecht, Netherlands #cloudforum2012 #ibmcloud
about 5 hours agoBlog Post: Why service providers should not ignore cloud http://t.co/ZfQyue4r via @eMarcusNet #thoughtsoncloud
about 6 hours agoHave any #cloudmoment? Share your story with us via Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and tag it. See other stories http://t.co/J4ntsaQ5
about 7 hours agoSign up now for IBM #SmartCloud Enterprise! No charge for select VMs (only till May 28). More Details >> http://t.co/2LEzOUZC #ibmcloud
about 7 hours agoRT @HansMoen: See this video from @IBMCloud to learn how to cut costs in building innovation in your business http://t.co/XOyJoFn6 #clou ...