Expert guidance in deploying and optimizing a DCIM system to achieve efficiency and ROI goalsThe majority of DCIM buyers spend over six months evaluating potential suppliers, and then an additional six to twelve months deploying the chosen solution. This results in significant staff costs and unnecessary delays if an organization’s business requirements demand a DCIM solution. Once the systems are finally up and running, only 17% of enterprise data centers expect to see a short-term return on DCIM investment, and 49% say they cannot justify a return on investment at all*—more wasted money and effort.

Uptime Institute Efficient IT: DCIM Consulting

When employed effectively, DCIM systems have been shown to be invaluable tools for integrating key data, increasing efficiency, and helping organizations plan and reduce resource usage. The cost savings benefits can be substantial. But with a multitude of vendors and deployment options in the market, finding the right solution for your organization and implementing it successfully can be a challenge.

The Gap Between DCIM Promise and RealitySavvy IT executives know that “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” The potential benefit of DCIM systems is clear. These tools offer a way to measure and integrate key IT and facility data, helping organizations to respond effectively to increasing market, economic, and leadership demands for efficiency and improved resource management in their data center operations.

Yet when it comes to deploying and using DCIM systems, many data centers have found it challenging to achieve these ideals. The industry has struggled to successfully adopt DCIM software. DCIM promises to drive out data center inefficiencies, help operators build a credible model for capacity planning, and tie together the IT and facilities management teams. However, the path to reaping those benefits cannot be realized by simply purchasing a software product.

As the messy work of implementation begins, many IT organizations have found DCIM tools to be more difficult to deploy and more expensive than expected. Some IT organizations have waited, evaluating

the market, considering the right time to make an investment. Others have already adopted DCIM tools, spending budget and staff resources for a system that provides limited benefits. All too often, organizations find that DCIM takes too long to purchase, costs too much, and does not perform to its full potential.

How can your organzation avoid wasting time and money procuring and implementing DCIM? How can you ensure you select and configure the right solution to achieve your goals for transparency, efficiency, and ROI?

Uptime Institute DCIM ConsultingTo help organizations avoid disappointing outcomes, Uptime Institute provides direct consulting and advisory support for DCIM decision making, deployment, and optimization. Based on multiple years of research and market analysis, DCIM Consulting services help data center executives understand the vendor landscape, deploy on a timely schedule, and avoid overspending.

Our independent experts have guided leading IT organizations through the purchase and implementation process, helping them avoid common pitfalls. We provide a framework for defining requirements and establishing justification for DCIM investments, and offer vendor-neutral assistance in solution evaluation. Uptime Institute is uniquely positioned to provide the support data center executives need to navigate this significant investment.

*Source: Uptime Institute 2015 Data Center Survey of 1,000 operators and IT professionals

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Navigating the DCIM ProcessThe DCIM market is sprawling and varied, with a range of suppliers from longstanding equipment vendors to startup companies. The reported functionality and integration of the various tools is often subject to interpretation and does not always stand up to scrutiny. One company’s success with a tool does not translate to universal success. Often, organizations fail to define business requirements or don’t evaluate options in a holistic and consistent framework. Some find the need to purchase multiple commercial DCIM tools. This can prove to be a successful strategy for companies applying an incremental approach; or it can be a wasted effort and major embarrassment when a large investment does not meet expectations.

Let Uptime Institute experts help you develop strategies for aligning DCIM with business needs, and provide a high-level methodology for evaluating and deploying DCIM tools. DCIM consulting engagements are delivered in three phases:

Defining Requirements & Planning PhaseConsultants lead workshops with DCIM stakeholders to determine organizational objectives, help codify the decision making process, and define the workflow. We assess all existing assets, including monitoring tools and tracking and management dashboards, to identify the gaps between current capabilities and organizational objectives. You’ll receive a summary of findings and preliminary justification for a DCIM solution, with a table of requirements for use in the RFP process.

DCIM Vendor Selection PhaseUptime Institute identifies a short-list of vendors that can fulfill your DCIM solution requirements and provide needed service levels. This short list is based on our unique, owner/operator-focused analysis of DCIM providers, characteristics, and benefits. Consultants participate in teleconferences with potential suppliers, and evaluate RFP responses against your requirements, but will not broker or engage directly with vendors. We are an extension of the owner’s team, rather than an intermediary.

Post Implementation Assessment & DCIM Operations OptimizationConsultants perform a two-day site visit to assess the implementation and operational effectiveness of the DCIM tool. We help you ensure that the DCIM deployment meets the requirements established in the first phase, and provide guidance for further optimization.

Fulfilling the Promise of Value from DCIMDon’t waste energy, resources, and money on ill-fitting DCIM projects. Let Uptime Institute experts help you hone a DCIM strategy that’s suited to your organization, select a solution that is “right sized” for your data center, and define system operation and execution plans so you can launch without delay and start reaping the rewards sooner.

Building on a Legacy of InnovationFor more than 20 years, Uptime Institute has been leading the way in improving availability and efficiency in the data center and IT industry, focusing efforts and attention on improving management priorities and fostering cross-disciplinary communication. Our breadth of consulting engagements includes working around the world with hundreds of data center organizations. We combine years of research with hands on experience in operations and leadership.

Ready to Get Started?Take advantage of our multi-million dollar, decades-long investment in Efficient IT research, innovation, education, and evangelization. Put impactful efficiency practices to work in your data center.

Questions?Please contact your regional representative online: http://uptimeinstitute.com/contact-us, email us at: info@uptimeinstitute.com, or by phone at: +1 206.706.4149