Get Your Data Center In Shape
Get Started on Your Data Center Workout Plan!
Let's get that data center into shape!
Like the countless people who set the goal of getting physically fit this year, quite a few of us in the IT industry set out to whip our environments and departments into shape, too.
And just like so many who give up on their resolutions and goals (on average, after around 3 months, according to one poll), things get busy, and other projects take priority.
How can we initiate lasting changes that won't fall by the wayside by Quitters Day? (Yes, it's actually a thing!) We put together some action items that you can take to help get your environment into shape. Think of it like leg day for your data center—it requires a bit of effort but is so worth it in the long run!
Data Center Fitness Regime
Habits For Healthy IT Departments & Data Centers
Optimize Your Environment
I mean, who wouldn't love better performance and less downtime in their IT environment?! It's not an impossible or difficult goal. A basic function of most IT departments is to keep things running smoothly - that's how the business stays in business. There are several ways you can decrease downtime and boost performance.
Redundancy is your best friend - If you don't have enough redundancy built into your environment, you could have a disaster on your hands. And it's not enough just to have a back up system. The million dollar question: Have you tested it to confirm that it will work in case of an emergency??
Simple upgrades can make a big difference - memory, CPU, and hard drive upgrades are a relatively easy and affordable way to get more out of your devices, giving you more storage and faster speeds. Component compatibility is key; ask your vendor for advice if you're not sure (we can help with that, BTW).
Maintain your environment - Take care of all those little annoying details like servicing the air conditioner or keeping the dust at bay. No reason to let dust bunnies wreak havoc on your expensive equipment, right?
Tend to failures in a timely manner - We've said it before, but it bears repeating - don't wait to take care of failed parts, whether they are cache batteries, hard drives, or whatever. Your system might still be operational, but there's no guarantee another failure won't take the whole system down (in fact, Murphy's law says it's likely!)
Pro Tip:
Be organized with your files and credentials. Having your configuration files, IP, and other resources, including passwords, ready to go can save a ton of time in the event you need to open a support ticket for a failure. Keep detailed records on the server and array configurations, as well as anything else you aren't likely to remember off hand.
Be More Cyber Secure
Cybersecurity always seems to top the list of concerns and goals for many IT departments, regardless of size or industry. Cybersecurity basically comes down to risk management and active cyber hygiene habits.
Between educating staff, analyzing gaps and vulnerabilities, and making sure your strategies are up-to-date, there's plenty to keep a person busy!
Add in the fact that advancements and new tech innovations that stakeholders are itching to implement usually come with a whole new set of security risks. AI is a great example of this. While the ability to detect threats becomes quicker and easier with AI-based tools, so do the capabilities of hackers of varying skill levels. Now more than ever, it's important to stay vigilant.
Learn more about our take on cybersecurity and data privacy best practices.
Pro Tip:
Ask yourself (and stakeholders, if applicable): What does security look like for our company, and are we secure? If you struggle to answer, consider reaching out to pros who can help.
Be More Environmentally Conscious
Data centers seem to be garnering more attention lately. The surge in AI technology, coupled with the corresponding energy demands, has also led to increased calls for environmentally responsible solutions.
An added benefit is that many action items, such as energy efficiency and getting the most out of your equipment, can actually save you money, too!
Innovations in energy production and efficiency are expected to be top priorities. Finding ways to efficiently cool data centers continues to be at the top of the list, with methods ranging from standard air cooling to immersion cooling (liquid cooling) and even experimental cooling (data centers in space and underwater!)
Things you can do that don't require a huge budget or complete overhaul:
- Optimize energy usage - check that your settings are appropriate and do not pull more power than they need to.
- Manage PDUs wisely - high-efficiency transformers, maintaining balanced loads, and more can help you reduce energy loss.
- Consider airflow management - hot aisle/cold aisle layouts, containments or enclosures, or even inexpensive panels can help prevent hot air and cold air from mixing.
- Use environmentally responsible ITAD services and recycling when decommissioning equipment.
- Buy refurbished (if it makes sense for your environment)- which helps keep perfectly functional equipment out of landfills and can save your budget.
Pro Tip:
Audit your system and evaluate what is truly useful and what is not. After ensuring your redundancy plan is up to snuff, you may be able to consolidate equipment and reduce your energy consumption. One newer server may be able to handle the workload using less energy than multiple older models.
Reevaluate Your Vendors
It's tempting to overlook the task of evaluating your services and vendors, but don't stay stuck in a rut! You could save a ton of money or even prevent serious problems down the road by having all your ducks in a row.
It's a good idea to review your subscriptions and vendors at least once a year. Licensing structures, pricing models, company acquisitions, and internal changes may mean that your current setup is no longer the best fit for your needs and budget.
Before you say that you don't have time to waste on that, just hear us out. We know it's hard to allocate precious time and resources to examining and exploring options, but we always advocate being prepared rather than trying to put out fires later. Future you will thank you. Here are a few areas worth digging into.
Users/Environment Changes: Are you paying for users you don't need? You might be surprised how many seats are still active (and costing $$) for employees who haven't worked at the company in years. Or how about new devices in your environment with different needs than what had been there previously?
Subscriptions: Are your subscriptions valid and up to date? Whether it's a critical service you thought was up to date or one that you're paying that you simply don't need - neither of those situations is ideal.
SLAs: Have your needs or wants changed? Does your current SLA still reflect the way your company or department runs at the moment? Perhaps you could save money by eliminating things you don't need, or conversely, you could avert disastrous downtime by upgrading.
Vendors: Are you happy with the service you've been receiving from your vendor? You may think that vendor behaviors like price hikes, slow response times, and lackluster support are par for the course, but you don't have to stick with vendors that treat you like that. Shop around, and if you're not getting the best possible service - switch. Simple as that. Learn more about toxic vendor behaviors.
Pro tip:
It never hurts to ask. Your vendor should be helping you find solutions, not throwing up roadblocks. Chances are good they will work with you to find a better scenario.
Make the Time to Help the Team Shine
Finding (and keeping) skilled IT staff continues to be a challenge. That's why it's definitely worth the time and effort to support the team you already have. Reports indicate that skills-based hiring in the IT industry is more common - employers are looking for candidates with skills and experience.
This all might sound like a cheesy poster one might find in the HR office, but cliches often have a ring of truth to them. Taking the time to understand the strengths of your team so you can put people where they can shine is worth the investment.
Effective communication is crucial to strengthening your internal team. Take the time to teach team members how to communicate properly and what is expected of them. This will set everyone up for success from the get-go.
Help team members know their "why." When the whole team can see the big picture and where they fit, they can take accountability and use critical thinking skills to make things work more smoothly.
Investing in a solid training strategy also can help improve performance and boost morale. Cross-training can be a challenge, but it makes all the difference, allowing employees to take actual vacations, avoid burnout, and pitch in when team members need a hand.
Make sure your internal processes are dialed in. The above tips won't do much good if you haven't taken the time to ensure your processes are in place and defined. How will you train employees on what you expect if you don't know yourself?
Pro Tip:
Prioritize setting up the next step properly. When team members know what the next step is (even when they aren't the ones doing it) and are trained to make the next step easier, everything runs smoother. It's like a relay race where passing the baton to the next person should be as seamless as possible.
For instance, when passing on information to the person at the next stage of the process, effective communication takes center stage again. Knowing why the information is being gathered, whether it will be helpful, and if there's anything more the next person may need at the handoff can make everything run smoother and also improve team collaboration. Everybody wins.
Let M Global Help
Need help? Whether you're in the thick of it now and need help, or you are getting your ducks in a row before it hits the fan, we would love to help! We're all about turning challenges into successes and obstacles into opportunities for growth. We love creating solutions for our clients, no matter how difficult the challenge.
We want you to consider us an extension of your team, a trusted resource and an advisor. Fill out the form or give us a call at 855-304-4600 to find out more.
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