Although executives often use terms like “life blood” and “mission critical” to describe their in-house data centres, a striking number of these data centres are encountering performance issues and require modernisation in order to maintain their strategic edge. Each data centre is somewhat different and the approach to modernisation could vary depending upon the individual circumstances. Variables such as cost, cash flow and strategic factors (e.g., deployment time frame, regulatory environment, company culture) all impact modernisation choices.
Most modernisation initiatives share the same goal of attaining better performance while generating lower operating costs. Below are four general categories of modernisation approaches:
- Low budget – This approach consists of quick fixes like consolidating underutilised assets, enhancing airflow, and stepping up preventive maintenance practices. The goal in these cases is to buy time when little funding for improvements is available.
- Upgrade of core systems at existing site – Aging core systems decrease reliability, increase maintenance cost and lower efficiency. Modular, scalable power and cooling systems now allow for easy upgrades through delivery of pre-assembled, racked components. This speeds up access to new capacity and allows for “pay as you grow” planning and investment.
- Building a new data centre – This approach makes the most sense if the expected life of the new data centre exceeds five years, and allows the stakeholders complete, direct control of their operation.
- Outsourcing to colocation centres or the cloud – Companies with a high aversion to upfront capital expenses may prefer a colocation model as it converts the data centre into more of an operating expense even though the TCO is higher in the long run.
Discover which option is best for you in a newly released reference guide entitled “Modernise or Outsource: Evaluating the Options for your Data Centre.” This guide analyzes all of these options in detail and allows IT executives and data centre managers to determine which approach will help them to best achieve their specific goals. To download the guide, click here.
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