08 June 2022
Chris Wellfair, projects director at Secure I.T. Environments offers his views on buying DCIM
When it comes to data centre infrastructure management (DCIM), it is an area that causes stress for many data centre managers. One of the challenges is that DCIM is an umbrella term that covers a lot of areas from asset management to environment controls, and depending on the complexity of your infrastructure can get quite ‘messy’ to manage. Whilst it might seem that starting from scratch would make the process easier, the sheer breadth of options can leave you talking yourself in circles.
DCIM providers offer various packages, modules and add-ons. Whilst some just have the one solution - which may or may not contain some of the following features generally attributed to any DCIM: Power & Environmental Management, Real Time Event & Alert Management, Asset Management, Electrical & Network Cable Mapping, Capacity Management, Work Order Control, Floor and Cabinet Visualisation, Real Time PUE Gauges, Intelligent PDUs & Environmental Sensors, Billing Reports. And there are many more!
Some companies that we have worked with have tried to keep things simple by taking an approach akin to extending a building management system (BMS). While this can work, it is not something that we would recommend, as ultimately you miss out on a huge amount of granular data and control over your data centre environment. If you have more than one data centre, this becomes an even bigger issue, as keeping geographically distant data centres in sync from a DCIM perspective, is essential especially if they provide failover services to each other, or are supporting a local IoT or edge infrastructure for a site.
Take the right approach to DCIM
One of the biggest challenges in developing a comprehensive approach to data centre infrastructure management is identifying and defining all its components. In fact, this may be one reason that many companies have been reluctant to adopt a true DCIM philosophy. It takes a lot of work to create and maintain a complete inventory system. Part of the challenge is that different components are often managed by different entities. IT systems may monitor their own managed objects, but this doesn’t necessarily include all parts that are usually associated with facilities management. Facility managers, likewise, may maintain their own inventory database. And third-party vendors and customers keep their own lists too. A true DCIM approach aims to integrate all data centre assets into one system.
What are the red flags to look out for when buying?
Making a DCIM selection based on features rather than needs is a significant mistake and one that we see often. Many DCIM providers claim to be experts in many areas, yet few are, most have a specialism. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you should work to understand your individual requirements. Instead of focusing on shiny new features, consider DCIM in terms of cost vs. misery.
Suppliers can make a lot of promises, so be sure they can deliver by doing a Proof-of-Concept or trial. DCIM is only a small part of the investment. It is important to remember that maintenance programmes, support, professional services, additional hardware such as RFID scanners and mobile devices, and time are all factors to consider in your overall implementation. A successful DCIM implementation must be suitably integrated within the heart of the data centre’s operational procedures.
Factors to consider:
• Strategic planning – It is important to consider how your data centre estate will change over time, and whether the suppliers you choose can support that long-term plan
• Phased installation – Do you need to install everything to be live on a certain date, or can you go with a phased installation?
• Choose the right partner – Recommendations go a long way, so speak with your peers. Any partner worth their salt will also be able to put you in touch with reference customers. Also spend time making sure they are financial sound, and will not be gone in a year when you need them.
• Resource your project well – Like most IT departments, you’ll have too many projects and too few people to work on them. Be realistic about the resources that need to be dedicated to a DCIM implementation.
• Go live is not the end – A sound DCIM installation relies on well established processes to be effective once it is live. Make sure you establish those processes and provide regular training and refreshers to staff.
What is the missed opportunity if you do nothing?
It is easy to get bitter about the cost of doing DCIM well, but the reality is that well implemented systems can not only reduce downtime, but bring about cost savings through improved efficiency, and give you a better understanding of where you have under-utilised, or even redundant, resources in the data centre. This can inform strategic planning and reduce capital costs.
Give DCIM projects the time and energy they deserve and they will add real value to your IT infrastructure and its longevity.
