Positioning of the core IT infrastructure and related technology integration, upgrade and deployment to bolster the data centre can have far-reaching consequences for business. Experts in the provision of managed ICT and professional services suggest that outsourcing this crucial aspect of infrastructure management can be hugely beneficial and mitigating significant risk.
Traditionally, any move of infrastructure to the data centre carries with it a certain level of risk, particularly if this is done with little direction and the absence of a solid plan. Even with a strategy in place, there is no guarantee that a lack of skills will not impact on the move.
“While having a well-defined plan, organisations sometimes lack the specific expertise required to move data centres. Most companies relocate their core IT infrastructure platforms once or twice a decade, at most, and moving a production data centre becomes more involved.
“Mission-critical project management and structures are required to eliminate the errors made during a move to eliminate the standstill a business can find itself in, so minimising risk and maximising pre-planning is essential,” explains Jacques Watermeyer, chief technology officer, Integr8. The company is a multi-award winning South African-based global managed ICT services provider.
“The reality is that planning is critical and a lack thereof will be felt when application dependencies are not considered,” adds Watermeyer.
“When considering risk, it is important to take into account cost of additional power sources in the data centre, upgrading and incorporation of new projects during the move, as well as experience,” he continues.
Watermeyer advises that decision makers ensure that the new environment can accommodate the power requirements and that resilience is built into the platform to accommodate existing and future growth. “Ensure that the move is done in isolation, allowing no additional projects to run in the environment during this period, allow a cool off period after the move prior to kicking off additional projects,” he adds.
Access to power resources
However, Watermeyer emphasises that it does make sense to engage a partner that has experience and conducted several moves or designs, because they will add significant value.
“Don’t be hesitant to request reference sites. Outsource partners who have well-defined strategies and experience in this field. They have tried and tested methodologies and execution plans, as well as lessons learnt,” he continues.
Executive leadership at Integr8 suggest that the success of infrastructure moves to the data centre is largely dependent on the infrastructure and services being moved. The company says that by leveraging off a well-built platform, businesses can utilise hosted platforms and sophisticated equipment is no longer a catalyst.
“Most leverage platforms allow 24/7/365 availability, are highly available, accessible and perform optimally. With the likes of virtualisation customers have much more flexibility in moving data centres,” Watermeyer says.
Ahead of any move of infrastructure, decision makers are also advised to estimate costs and develop a budget, prepare a time line and determine move date, then formulate a disaster recovery plan and execution strategy should a problem occur.
According to Integr8 these are just a few steps that form part of a broader proactive strategy that should be adhered to in order to ensure successful data transition and infrastructure management.
Traditionally, any move of infrastructure to the data centre carries with it a certain level of risk, particularly if this is done with little direction and the absence of a solid plan. Even with a strategy in place, there is no guarantee that a lack of skills will not impact on the move.
“While having a well-defined plan, organisations sometimes lack the specific expertise required to move data centres. Most companies relocate their core IT infrastructure platforms once or twice a decade, at most, and moving a production data centre becomes more involved.
“Mission-critical project management and structures are required to eliminate the errors made during a move to eliminate the standstill a business can find itself in, so minimising risk and maximising pre-planning is essential,” explains Jacques Watermeyer, chief technology officer, Integr8. The company is a multi-award winning South African-based global managed ICT services provider.
“The reality is that planning is critical and a lack thereof will be felt when application dependencies are not considered,” adds Watermeyer.
“When considering risk, it is important to take into account cost of additional power sources in the data centre, upgrading and incorporation of new projects during the move, as well as experience,” he continues.
Watermeyer advises that decision makers ensure that the new environment can accommodate the power requirements and that resilience is built into the platform to accommodate existing and future growth. “Ensure that the move is done in isolation, allowing no additional projects to run in the environment during this period, allow a cool off period after the move prior to kicking off additional projects,” he adds.
Access to power resources
However, Watermeyer emphasises that it does make sense to engage a partner that has experience and conducted several moves or designs, because they will add significant value.
“Don’t be hesitant to request reference sites. Outsource partners who have well-defined strategies and experience in this field. They have tried and tested methodologies and execution plans, as well as lessons learnt,” he continues.
Executive leadership at Integr8 suggest that the success of infrastructure moves to the data centre is largely dependent on the infrastructure and services being moved. The company says that by leveraging off a well-built platform, businesses can utilise hosted platforms and sophisticated equipment is no longer a catalyst.
“Most leverage platforms allow 24/7/365 availability, are highly available, accessible and perform optimally. With the likes of virtualisation customers have much more flexibility in moving data centres,” Watermeyer says.
Ahead of any move of infrastructure, decision makers are also advised to estimate costs and develop a budget, prepare a time line and determine move date, then formulate a disaster recovery plan and execution strategy should a problem occur.
According to Integr8 these are just a few steps that form part of a broader proactive strategy that should be adhered to in order to ensure successful data transition and infrastructure management.