Data Center Consolidation
Data center consolidation refers to technologies and strategies that allow for more efficient IT architectures. This can mean physically consolidating multiple data centers or just making a single large data center run more effectively on fewer resources.
A data center is often the most complex part of an IT architecture, as well as its most central point of access for observation. Applying efficiency principles to a data center will typically improve overall IT systems.
Goals for data center consolidation may focus around finite data storage resources, legacy systems that could be built better, and other aspects of a system that offer room for improvement.
Benefits of Data Center Consolidation
1. Increased Productivity
Consolidating data center facilities offers the ability to enhanced operations, improve redundancy and flexibility, deliver higher availability and better use of IT assets.
2. Improved Energy Efficiencies
Firms can realize increased energy efficiencies through hardware refreshes during a consolidation program — right-sizing to more energy efficient platforms.
Transitioning to newer infrastructure typically results in lower PUEs (Power Usage Effectiveness) and lower electric bills. This can deliver direct savings to an organization, allowing for reallocation and reinvestment of capital.
3. Enhanced Security, Mitigated Risk
Reducing your data center footprint enables centralization of data center infrastructure, which strengthens security and streamlines management.
Reducing the size of your critical infrastructure helps reduce the attack landscape and scope of security for your organization. Consolidation also helps reduce risk by eradicating outdated, end-of-support platforms, mitigating opportunities for system failure.
Through carefully planned consolidation and migration activities via data center experts, firms can introduce best-practices for ongoing operations. Leading firms use consolidation events as an opportunity to implement advanced management tools , systems and processes to provide real-time insight and transparency into their IT estate.
4. Cost Reductions
One of the biggest business drivers for data center consolidation is cost reduction. In fact, proper consolidation programs can lead to millions of dollars in cost reductions enterprise-wide.
Consolidations help eliminate redundant and less efficient operations — as well as to reduce maintenance expenses.
References-
1] Benefits of Data Center Consolidation