So You Want To Go Green? – Virtualization and Equipment Replacement
As part of my continuing series on building a Green IT Business Plan, I want to discuss the next two steps. In my previous two articles, we covered a discussion on IT Assessment, Operations and Facility Assessment, Performing a Needs Analysis, and System Consolidation.
After completing those steps, the next part of the plan is:
5. Virtualization
One of the single most important new technologies available is virtualization. Virtualization is the tool that permits your to optimize equipment usage, eliminate redundancies, increase utilization and streamline operations. Server and storage virtualization also permits equipment to perform multiple roles. Another major benefit of a virtualized IT environment is the agility and velocity it affords to adjust to changes in demand, usage and function. A well designed virtual environment will also positively impact availability and disaster recovery.
The virtualization process can be large and time consuming depending on the sophistication of your IT infrastructure. It’s absolutely critical to develop a strong and detailed plan for your virtualization deployment, and to solicit assistance from a qualified Reseller that specializing in this area.
After you’ve completed your virtualization, the next step is to look at the rest of your IT infrastructure. Step 6 is:
6. Equipment Replacement
Your Green IT business plan will almost always include some level of equipment replace. Whether it’s replacing old PCs, or replacing servers, network and communications equipment with virtualized or multi-function devices, it’s important to make sure that your clearly understand the useful life of the new equipment, how it’ll integrate with your remaining environment, the operational and technical requirements, and the power consumption that’ll be saved by the replacement.
The good news is that newer, state-of-the-art equipment is often easier to implement, operate and maintain. Ask your vendors to address these points prior to selecting the equipment. There can also be added benefits by standardizing on products from a single vendor.
Next Month we’ll discuss upgrades and operational practices.
-Tim Krueger, PEI
