SA needs KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) technology because of the administrative benefits and high return on investment for data centres, says Light Edge Technology.
US-based Rose Electronics recently appointed Light Edge as South African distributor, first-line support and consultancy for its range of KVM switches.
"Light Edge has taken on Rose Electronics` product range because there is a huge need for KVM technology in this country," says Bobby Richter, Light Edge technical director. "Local enterprise data centre managers are starting to adopt KVM technology because of its clear benefits and high return on investment."
BMI-TechKnowledge analyst Mark Walker says KVM delivers the greatest value in large server environments where a limited number of IT personnel are responsible for a large number of machines. However, he says there must be a lot of education around KVM before it becomes common in local IT departments.
"Based on predictions of a 16% annual growth in the worldwide KVM market by Venture Development Corporation, the local KVM market is not likely to grow to more than R12 million by the end of next year," says Walker.
Tony MacKenzie, Rose Electronics SA sales manager, says while KVM technology is standard with most European technology users, emerging markets are now also starting to see the benefits. He says KVM devices reduce the costs of running a data centre through hardware reductions, reclaiming real estate and increasing the efficiency in administrator access.
Walker agrees that KVM easily translates into cost savings in terms of equipment and space by consolidating multiple monitors, keyboards and computer mice into a single interaction device. He notes, however, that KVM is most effective as a management tool when deployed in tandem with software management solutions.
"KVM technology reduces server management costs, while providing considerable remote management functionality not possible through standard in-band software-based administration tools," says MacKenzie.
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