Getting Buy-In
While DCIM goes a long way in reducing downtime and proactively planning for future technologies, many are still of the mindset that DCIM does not offer enough value for its cost. The first step is therefore to get buy-in from all stakeholders and upper management. This isn’t always easy, but for starters, try these strategies.
Take a holistic approach
Gather input from all stakeholders that use and support the data centre—from the CIO and the facility manager, to the network designer and the server technician. It will make them feel like they were part of the process.
Present a focused argument
Effectively demonstrate ROI. For example, demonstrate the specific cost savings gained by identifying an underutilized asset that is wasting power and cooling resources. Also be sure to focus on the features, benefits and savings of DCIM that are specifically related to each stakeholder’s interests.
Time it right
Aligning the DCIM project to other corporate objectives will get you a lot further with upper management than presenting DCIM as a silo. It’s a lot easier to get budget approval in conjunction with other major business and data centre initiatives such as construction, expansions and upgrades.
Evaluating your options
Once you have gotten buy-in, it’s time to evaluate DCIM solutions. There are several capabilities to consider while avoiding unnecessary expense and looking at total solution cost. Here are some key features to look for:
Ease of use
Look for intuitive DCIM platforms that allow for easy input of data with the ability to audit for accuracy. The system should be able to easily display key environmental and statistical information (e.g., temperature, available rack unit space, power usage)
while capturing reconfigurations in real
time.
Scalability
One of the ongoing benefits of DCIM is the ability to forecast “what-if” scenarios when planning for new technologies. The system should also be scalable with the ability to store additional data as needed and include multiple data centres.
Mobility
Many servers and switches come labelled with barcodes that can be used as identifiers for inputting information into the DCIM system. DCIM solutions that support mobile barcode scanners provide a means to gather and input that information from the field and in real time, avoiding the need for manual entry that can be subjected to delays and errors.
Remote capability
Having remote access to all the records via Wi-Fi or a data connection when reviewing the infrastructure, troubleshooting a problem or making changes is a critical feature. Look also for web-based applications that can be installed on portable devices to provide access to the DCIM server for information review and light change usage in the field.
Open standards
Whichever DCIM platform you choose, make sure it is designed using open standards for easy integration with other systems and access across multiple databases. This will allow implementation of existing inventory data, management of any data point, integration with other systems and ongoing, real-time monitoring of a wider variety of assets.
Integrated cabling infrastructure
Real-time view and management of data connectivity is also a must-have for DCIM to determine support for new technologies. When implementing new equipment into the data centre, it is not much use to identify a rack that is in the right location and offers the right amount of space and power only to find out when you get there that it does not have the appropriate interface and connectivity to support the new equipment.
Doing the real Work
Once you have gotten buy-in and have purchased a DCIM platform for your data centre, the real work begins. Configuring and implementing DCIM can be a time-consuming and complex endeavour that needs to be approached with small steps. Following are some key deployment considerations that may be helpful.
Create a game plan
Think of all the ways that a piece of data centre equipment is touched—from the time it is purchased and installed, to its end of life and ultimate disposal. Use this information to determine what information to track, to define which content fields within the DCIM solution are important to the organization and how much granularity is needed. Determine what the most important information is to populate in DCIM first. Start there and don’t get off course.
Monitor and evaluate
As you build your database, monitor and evaluate each phase and adjust as necessary before moving on to the next. If possible, go live quickly with part of the environment and determine what is working and what is not. And don’t be afraid to rework something that does not work.
Ensure consistency
Assign an administrator of the DCIM solution. This individual or group is responsible for managing and building templates for IT equipment, racks, enclosures, etc. This does not mean that the administrator is the only one who updates DCIM. To ensure consistency, everyone who uses the DCIM system should be trained to enter the information based on the company’s standards.
Meet the needs of your organization
Discuss with all stakeholders which reports are needed and set up reporting intervals that make sense. For each component on a DCIM report, decide on how much historical data to show and at what level while thinking about the information needed for determining available capacity for future equipment. For example, including power and environmental information can help you understand energy consumption and create “what-if” scenarios for future equipment placement.
Ensuring ongoing success
Once the DCIM system is configured, the implementation process complete and users trained, ensure that everyone understands the importance of maintaining the system and updating the data whenever a change is made. DCIM is not something to deploy and forget—it is an ongoing and evolving process that should be continually revisited and revised. The only way DCIM works is to consider it a core task—if DCIM is viewed as a sideline responsibility, there is a chance that the system will not be properly maintained, limiting the ability to generate accurate reports and forecast future scenarios.
Because DCIM is a long term solution, ongoing success also requires a long term vendor partner. That is why it is best to look for a trusted, reliable and experienced vendor with the financial strength and ability to support their application long term.
Partnering with a vendor that has expert comprehensive design and deployment knowledge in all areas of the data centre—power, cooling, equipment and cabling—will give you peace of mind that your specific needs will be understood, addressed and supported.
