Over the past several years, we have seen an unprecedented increase in traffic, data center growth, and the infrastructure within.  On one hand, these changes have led to new services and growth for businesses.  On the other, the management of the data center has become more challenging as IT data center managers look to do more with less.  The procurement of tools that could be used to quickly and cost-effectively help with implementation has been put off due to the millions of other things that need to be done within the data center.
 
The reality is that it has become harder and harder to continue to work this way.  You know it, but do your executive and financial teams know the data center management challenges you face each day.  You don’t have to wait until full deployment of a DCIM to gain value.  Use these drivers to show your team how to start saving by using DCIM today.
 
First, recommend DCIM tools in lieu of a near-term facility expansion when the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the expansion is greater than the DCIM investment.  One of the great benefits of DCIM is the capability to find or locate stranded capacity.  That in of itself can easily pay not only for the initial investment, but can also allow you to delay the purchase of new facilities, saving you money now and for the future.
 
Designing or constructing a new data center?  Refurbishing an older data center?  Build DCIM tools into your plans and allow it to help you design the space, find the optimal placement for your equipment, provide accurate and complete work orders for the installers, and keep a consolidated view into all the assets in your new data center.
 
You can’t measure what you don’t monitor, and you can’t make decisions without key information.  DCIM analysis and reporting capabilities provide data center managers and executive staff with the information needed to make key decisions when considering significant consolidation, colocation or virtualization projects.  For example, use DCIM to chart trends and forecast future space, power, and cooling capacity needs for each scenario being considered.
 
Don’t panic when it is time for an audit.  Propose DCIM tools as a way to facilitate a data center audit and, in so doing, provide continuous incremental benefits — such as an in-depth understanding of data center space, power, cooling, and energy costs.  Gain an understanding of which assets and organizations are spending the most money, and put into place corrective actions for overuse.
 
Finally, use DCIM tools to measure energy usage and ensure you are meeting the organization's corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. How do you measure energy usage today?  Data centers typically overcool to prevent equipment failure.  With a DCIM tool, you can prove to your team that you can safely raise the thermostat and save up to 3% on your energy bill for each degree raised.*
 
Delaying new capital expenses, optimizing resources, forecasting needs, and measuring/ managing costs are all programs that DCIM can help with.  Talk with your management team today to define your goals and contact us to help prepare for the future.
 
*Gartner, Inc. (2013,October 7).  Top 10 Techniques to Improve Data Center Cooling Efficiency