The data centre industry continues to be confused about DCIM (Data centre Infrastructure Management) software. This article helps explain, what DCIM is, what it is not, and whether it’s still a good investment.
While working in the world of DCIM, it can become confusing and a whirlwind of acronyms and differnt modular solutions. DCIM software vendors have muddied the waters so much that it is hard to know what really is DCIM and what is not. This blog post has been created to help people navigate their way through the world of DCIM by finding the answers to your most important questions. This includes:
- What is DCIM software?
- And what is not DCIM?
- Why is the DCIM market growing?
- Do I need DCIM?
- When should I implement DCIM and who should I buy DCIM from?
If these are the questions you have been asking yourself feel lost no more and continue reading…
What is DCIM software?
DCIM which stands for Data Centre Infrastructure Management refers to a software that helps companies understand and manage their Data Centre’s physical infrastructure.
By using DCIM software, organizations can
- optimize Data Centre resource allocation,
- improve energy efficiency,
- reduce downtime, and
- better plan for capacity and growth
DCIM also enables proactive maintenance and enables better decision-making based on data-driven insights.
Current DCIM solutions mainly comprise of two key modules, or functions.
Critical Facilities Monitoring
Critical facilities monitoring provides comprehensive and near-real-time* visibility into the performance and health of a data centre’s critical infrastructure, including power and cooling. It can also include sensors which alert for water detection, smoke, dust and physical access.
Physical Infrastructure Management
Physical infrastructure management provides a centralised database, or model, of both passive and intelligent, assets physically and their power and data inter-connectivity. It represents both the spatial dimensions and circuitry for the Data Centre’s entire ecosystem.
Although often sold independently, both DCIM modules are necessary to deliver the functionality required to gain the industry analyst’s promised benefits of DCIM. The analysts often refer to the two modules as a DCIM Suite.
Unfortunately, many organisations believe they have implemented DCIM, when in fact they have only deployed one of these modules. Although this is a very positive first step, they can only achieve a much lesser value from their DCIM investment. They will not realise the high value synergies offered from DCIM, without deploying the second module.
What is not DCIM?
As well as the industry confusion noted above, when only deploying part of a DCIM suite, there are also blurred lines as to what constitutes DCIM and what does not. Other key management and control systems exist for specific data centre operations outside of DCIM, such as Building Management Systems (BMS) for control of cooling and/or UPS and Access Control systems for physical security.
These systems are not DCIM as such, but along with other IT systems, can be integrated into a DCIM solution to enhance the DCIM system’s centralised visibility and allow performance of other analytical DCIM computations such as efficiency metrics, combined breached thresholds or timing alerts.
Should I employ DCIM as a solution?
DCIM can be deployed in varying formats to deliver key benefits to the various Data centre Stakeholders.
Enterprise Data Centres
The right DCIM solution can become a key "go-to" source of truth when implemented well and enforced with governence
Co-Location DC Operators
DCIM has recognised co-lo operators have different needs and have tailored solutions to streamline co-lo operations.
Co-Location DC Tennants
Understanding your co-lo tenancy can save thousands of dollars and reduce implementation issues when using DCIM
iiSolutions delivers independent consulting in scoping DCIM solutions to suit a particular business needs.
When looking at DCIM there are some things you must consider carefully to ensure you don’t waste your money and time. This is an imperative step on your road to understanding and optimising your IT infrastructure.
- How important is our infrastructure to deliver business continuity and do we understand it?
- How do we currently know or monitor if our infrastucure in impacted on a physical level?
- Do we have a way to easily and accurately measure how well we optimise our investment in IT infrastructure?
- Have we considered undertaking a scoping exercise for DCIM and the impact outcomes for our business?
Our Opinion?
As the world of IT constantly evolves and grows every day, it is vital to help your business navigate the new and the existing digital infrastructure that accompanies this growth. This needs to be achieved in a way that optimises equipment utilisation and delivers the best return on investment whilst lowering operating costs.
We believe a tailored DCIM strategy can fill this gap and will make significant, positive impact to bottom lines.
iiSolutions are independent subject matter experts in Data Centre Infrastructure Management, if you would like to learn more about it and how DCIM can help your organisation, get in touch with us today for a no fee, no obligation discussion. Contact Us.
