Software for Data Center Infrastructure Management

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software is a new class of software that gives data center operators the ability to run efficient data center operations and improve data center infrastructure planning and design. It typically replaces Excel, Visio, and home grown databases. DCIM software can bridge information across organizational domains – Data Center Ops, Facilities, and IT to maximize utilization of the data center.

Benefits of using DCIM:

A new way to manage data center is here

Ad-hoc data center management tools may work for a specific point task but often these tools do not effectively work together to resolve common and often complex issues, such as figuring out where there is capacity to roll out new servers, finding stranded power capacity, or something as basic as having a clear understanding of what assets you have in a data center.

DCIM software provides data center operations managers with the ability to identify, locate, visualize, and manage all physical data center assets, quickly provision new equipment, and confidently plan capacity for future growth. DCIM tools can also help control energy costs, improve data center design, and increase operational efficiency.

Implementing a Data Center Infrastructure Management solution provides data center operations managers and their companies with significant operational and cost-saving benefits, today and into the future.

What are the Components of DCIM?

A DCIM solution provides accurate and meaningful information about your Data Center’s assets, resources used, and operational status – from the lowest level in the power chain to the highest level – in an integrated fashion.

A comprehensive DCIM solution is comprised of components that provide:

Open and Compatible for Easy Integration

Integration Tools such as APIs that enable the integration between 3rd party CMDBs and ticketing systems.

A good DCIM architecture has the flexibility to adjust to user needs, makes it easy for the user to do their job, and has the right components necessary to solve real-world Data Center issues. It can leverage and integrate with existing data (e.g. CMDB, BMS), tools like service desk, help desk and ticketing systems, and reporting systems.

What Problems Does DCIM Solve?

DCIM software solves problems related to gathering information needed to enable Data Center Managers to effectively and efficiently manage the Data Center infrastructure.

An intelligent DCIM solution provides the ability to better manage assets, change and capacity. DCIM software also enables power monitoring, environmental monitoring and energy management. Specifically, DCIM enables Data Center Managers to get answers to these specific questions so they can make better and more informed decisions, quickly, and get their work done.

Benefits of using DCIM:

Without the information provided by DCIM, these questions become much more difficult to answer, and your Data Center more difficult and costly to manage.

What are the Benefits of DCIM?

The benefits of a DCIM solution can be found in time savings, people productivity, and cost savings. Employees no longer need to be on-site to identify what assets are in the data center and what space, power and cooling is available. Data Center Managers can have access to accurate data in real time at a click of a button. Understanding asset details and their physical power and network connections enables highly accurate capacity planning, down to the single port or 1 rack U level. Critical path capacity points are automatically and easily identified, reducing risks of failures. Reservations, moves, adds, and changes are accomplished with ease. Employee productivity and morale dramatically increases as processes and workflows are implemented to ensure high quality changes in the data center.

In his report, “Datacenter Infrastructure Management Software: Monitoring, Managing and Optimizing the Datacenter,” Andy Lawrence summed up the impact of DCIM by saying “We believe it is difficult to achieve the more advanced levels of datacenter maturity, or of datacenter effectiveness generally, without extensive use of DCIM software."

Here are some specific examples of before and after DCIM software.

Issue	Before DCIM	With DCIM
Asset Management What do I have in my data center? How is it connected? Who owns what?	Spreadsheets or Homegrown tools Need to physically go on site to determine space availability and position Inaccurate and incomplete records	Instantaneous visual and textual information on the equipment in the data center reduces troubleshooting time No need to send someone physically on site. Centralized database enables accurate record keeping and processes
Capacity Management How much space, power, cooling, and connectivity do I have? Where is the best place to deploy new equipment? How do I manage my power chain?	Information contained within multiple systems with no way to integrate the data	Quickly model and allocate space for new servers, manage power and network connectivity in a single view or a few clicks
Change Management How do I manage the work? Are there approval processes? Who does the work? How do I know the work is done correctly?	Delays in processing work orders Inability to ensure processes are followed	Fully integrated workflow management including automation of work orders and workflow activities for process assurance, tracking and auditing trails.
Power Management How much is being consumed? How much is available? How do I ensure uptime and availability?	Proprietary monitoring systems or sneakernet to the data center to manually take readings	Constant monitoring with alerts before circuits fail Locate stranded capacity to avoid costly build outs
Environment Monitoring How can I better manage hot spots? Am I over-cooling my data center? How do I maintain a safe environment for IT equipment?	Wasted capacity due to inability to understand cooling requirements Overcooling Unknown hot spots	Identification of Hot Spots with thresholds and alerts Know whether you are overcooling and wasting energy
Energy Management How can I save energy? What is the cost of it? Who’s using it and who is meeting their saving goals?	Information contained within multiple systems with no way to integrate the data	Intelligent PUE analytics and reporting tools provide the capability for bill-backs and management decision making

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