Data centre infrastructures are under increasing pressure because of the evolution of technologies like mobility and cloud computing.
So said Fred Giron, VP and principal analyst at Forrester, during a data centre infrastructure and management event hosted by Emerson yesterday, in Johannesburg.
"A significant shift is occurring in the technology marketplace that is impacting all of us," said Giron. "The enterprise world is working feverishly to respond to and capitalise on opportunities in cloud computing, big data and mobile communications."
Giron pointed out that although data is evolving at an exponential rate, there hasn't been the same kind of evolution in data centre infrastructure.
"The fundamental pressures driving IT infrastructure and operation groups have not changed for many years. Pressures on raw operational efficiency continue, with increased emphasis on both labour cost containment and power reduction," he said.
"Today, a solid and functional data centre infrastructure management solution is needed more than ever to manage complexity and drive operational excellence in the data centre."
Also speaking at the event, Simon Blake, marketing and communications manager for Emerson Network Power (EMEA), said legacy data centres were problematic, and nobody cared.
However, he noted that vendors and users have woken up to new realities of operational efficiency.
"A single framework and integrated database for facilities is needed as infrastructure and operations is a fundamental requirement for efficiency - legacy products failed this test," he noted.
Blake also noted that the challenges organisations face in accomplishing this include gathering the information they need in the context of the operation, and in real-time.
"Today, individuals across your organisation are trying to gather and effectively manage the information they require to do what they need to do. The symptoms in many data centres today are siloed operations, slow execution, mistakes and inability to plan for the future with any degree of confidence."
According to Blake, Emerson recently unveiled Trellis software applications, which he claims deliver real-time infrastructure optimisation that enables up to 70% improved operational efficiency and 25% improved energy efficiency.
The company notes that these efficiencies can be realised because the solution gives data centre managers the management capabilities they need in one solution and one location, eliminating duplicate processes and the need to link together disparate, proprietary systems before a complete picture of IT and facilities devices and performance can be gained.
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