Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) has become more vital than ever to data center operations as efficiency and technology advancement cycles move at an increasingly rapid pace. The insight provided by these essential systems has historically only been accessible to the data center operations team, not the end user or for that matter – the colocated customer. Now that the technology sector as a whole is becoming increasingly user friendly, transparent and hands on, it makes sense for colocation data centers to offer a higher level of insight and transparency into their clients’ individual environments.

A recent survey of 200 data center managers across the US and UK reveals that a large proportion of centers take a manual approach to planning and forecasting. Despite its limitations, MS Excel emerges as a popular tool and nearly one in ten resort to walking around a data center with a tape measure. Only just over half are able to benefit from using Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools. The manual approach is not limited to smaller data centers by any means; the proportion was found to remain the same even amongst the larger data centers (with above 1,500 servers). When asked why manual methods were employed, 46% said it was because they felt that the alternatives would be too expensive. A further 35% feared they lacked the resources to implement a more automated approach. Whilst both these factors may seem reasonable enough at first sight, both might actually represent false economies in the longer run.

This paper demonstrates, through a series of examples, how data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software tools can simplify operational processes, cut costs, and speed up information delivery.

This white paper will explain DCIM as well as provide technology advice on teh tools and practices for its implementation and use, and how to take advantage of DCIM to improve energy efficiency and effectiveness in the data center.

This paper demonstrates, through a series of examples, how data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software tools can simplify operational processes, cut costs, and speed up information delivery.

In this white paper, we will look into: • The changing face of the colocation buyer • Industry structure, including mergers and acquisitions • The Internet of Things and big data • Edge computing • Cloud computing and Internet Giants • The impact of data center infrastructure management (DCIM) • Data center design architectures

Schneider Electric is integrating datacenter infrastructure management (DCIM) software, big-data analytics and cloud services into the management of customers’ datacenters. Its recently launched StruxureOn cloud offering signals a new wave in datacenter operations, using a combination of machine learning, anomaly detection and event-stream playback to give operators real-time insights and alarming via their smartphones. More capabilities and features are planned, including predictive analysis and, eventually, automated action. Schneider’s long-term strategy is to build a partner ecosystem around StruxureOn, and provide digital services that span its traditional datacenter business.

While many who invest in Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software benefit greatly, some do not. Research has revealed a number of pitfalls that end users should avoid when evaluating and implementing DCIM solutions. Choosing an inappropriate solution, relying on inadequate processes, and a lack of commitment / ownership / knowledge can each undermine a chosen toolset’s ability to deliver the value it was designed to provide. This paper describes these common pitfalls and provides practical guidance on how to avoid them.

This new Gartner report reviews 17 vendors of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solutions. Based on its own expert analysis and backed up by in-depth interviews with users in the space, Gartner has just published the Magic Quadrant for Data Center Infrastructure Management Tools for the first time.

Much of the focus on flexible datacenters centers around the software application, compute, networking, and storage layers. Only after an initiative has begun are the most suitable best practices in datacenter infrastructure management (DCIM) considered.

As demands on the data center increase, IT and facilities departments need to be able to increase and sustain high availability, maximize efficiency and minimize costs. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) provides an integrated platform for monitoring and measuring consumption, capacity and performance of both IT and facilities resources in the data center.

The data center is getting bigger and more complex and so too is the asset inventory. Every new asset has an impact on the day–to–day operations of the data center – from power consumption and problem resolution to capacity planning and change management.

To help organizations plan their DCIM roadmap, this paper explores five essential DCIM use cases and outcomes. From better asset utilization and faster provisioning to maintaining availability, greater efficiency and smarter capacity planning, we look at how DCIM can close the operational and optimization gap for both IT and facilities.

Learn how to use DCIM to shift development and production workloads between infrastructure resources to maintain a consistent user experience

The purpose of this study is to provide readers with a framework to evaluate the potential financial impact of Emerson's DCIM Solution on their organizations.

If the data center is the heart of the organization then the data center operators are the eyes. But today’s complex business environments also demand agility and flexibility to meet the requirements of your organization. Download this free paper to improve the data center visibility in your organization.

Learn best practices for optimizing critical systems for cloud deployment in existing facilities, including optimizing power architectures for high availability.

The ten steps outlined in this paper represent proven strategies for improving data efficiency and availability and create the foundation for holistic data center infrastructure management.

Download your free white paper today to get a better understanding of the trends driving data center design and management and how you can use them to reduce costs, improve equipment utilization and ensure high availability!