EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
MARK ACTON – INDEPENDENT DATA CENTRE CONSULTANT , DCA ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER , CRITICAL SUPPORT DIRECTOR FOR FUTURE-TECH
IOs are required to manage increasing
C complex digital estates with mixed deployments being referenced as hybrid digital infrastructure . This can include a widening range of IT platforms installed in multiple different types of data centre . These platforms potentially include legacy onpremises installations , colocation , Edge and remote dark sites as well as public and private cloud .
The management of these disparate platforms is extremely challenging and the specialist tools required to accomplish this are increasingly being referenced as Hybrid Digital Infrastructure Management ( HDIM ) tools . These are not the historic and disappointing legacy solutions sold under the broad and somewhat tarnished DCIM banner , but rather a new breed of tools offering genuine insight and true management capabilities with a demonstrable ROI based on easily integrated solutions .
We are all familiar with the challenges of capacity and cost management when we are merely trying to juggle the key ( and most expensive ) resources available in a single data centre ( space , power , cooling and people ). Now , however , the picture is far more complex . We not only have the likelihood of multiple sites , but we also have multiple types of installation in different sites . Ultimately , the only way to properly manage and track both costs and usage across these increasingly complex hybrid environments is through the use of specialised tools .
The need for accurate and reliable information – not just simple data – to properly manage this complex estate , is growing . This requires the use of more effective remote monitoring tools and intelligent management systems incorporating advanced features such as 3D simulations , knowledge-based algorithms , trending and prediction of potential problems or impending capacity constraints . This is done using Machine Learning and analytics to gather vital data , interpret it and accurately display the resulting information .
Another challenge to be addressed when considering how to reduce the costs of data centre infrastructure and improve performance is the closer alignment of IT , facilities and other business stakeholders to make best use of and capitalise on the expensive resources deployed by improving communication and reducing duplication of effort .
This is needed to both improve performance and fully understand the true costs before considering how to reduce them . The true cost of service delivery in complex hybrid environments is notoriously difficult to ascertain without the right level of visibility . This increased visibility , more effective communication and accuracy of information also has the advantage of offering the opportunity to deliver a competitive advantage based on more effective service management and improved speed to market .
Finally , the only way for CIOs optimise their data centre space , improve performance and reduce costs of their data centre infrastructure is to take advantage of the new generation of specialist tools capable of addressing the need to effectively manage and maximise the use of the extremely expensive resources deployed . All this in the face of increasing scrutiny and pressure to comply with net zero carbon targets and the spectre of punitive taxation while maintaining data centre infrastructure and service reliability . ◊
Content supplied by the DCA
32 www . intelligentdatacentres . com