Ways to optimize data center's white space

In today's Data Center the current PUSH is to locate, understand and use the DATA CENTER DATA. The data needed and how it will be used is different for each organization that needs to build out or fixing to make that NEXT GENERATION of a Data Center that leverages DATA.?

Mission Drivers approach to extend aging facilities and critical infrastructure supporting your data centers. Samples of these drivers are 100% Compliance, Improve Data Accuracy, Provide Continuous Service, Build upon and sponsor based corporate missions Statement,? Corporate or department goals, Corporate or department Initiatives, quality of available data, Data Integrity and Can’t Lose any of the data needed for Compliance or regulatory need.

Most Data Center Owners/Operators are still in Phase 1 or nearing the end of Phase 1 Reactive mode and need to move to be Proactive to be competitive and be more predictive and become a leader in market share.?

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This shift toward decentralized data center portfolios creates new challenges for the organization leaders who manage these facilities, especially when it comes to the critical white space in each data center—the physical space occupied by the mainframe, servers, switches, racks and other hardware, network, software that make up production.?

Managing white space includes tasks related to both operations (installing appliances and cable, optimizing racks and cabinets, overseeing IT inventory, and more) and performance (service and maintenance, incident management, etc.). As technology evolves and the demands on data centers continue to increase, managing white space is becoming more complex.?

Here are ways an experienced resource can help optimize data center white space to maximize performance.

Benefit from experience not degrees

Managing white space efficiently and effectively is crucial to maintaining uptime. A seasoned facility management and infrastructure technology management can provide support on every aspect of managing white space, from staffing to reducing risk to harnessing the new data center TREND of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Capture cost savings or cost avoidance

• Avoid the high cost of noncompliance and assess your readiness before an audit is a best practice to be first on your checklist for compliance.
• Cross-training employees can reduce costs and head count. If you work with a facility management that can also handle your white space, you can avoid redundancy in roles, responsibility and reduce costs. Lowering the cost-of-service delivery with local expertise can also help prepare your data center for compliance audits and assessments based on the regulations in your area.
• Deal with the rate of technological change
• Decrease Costs and Gain a Competitive Advantage by Improving Data Center Infrastructure Management. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Software Will Give Companies the Visibility, Control and Insight to Leverage IT Assets to Align with Business Goals.
• Improve staff productivity
• Incorporate processes to address green initiatives
• Managing Asset Management?
• Maximize utilization of current resources
• Reduce/control energy usage/costs

Drive White Space Efficiency

Operating a data center requires a knowledgeable, capable team that has a full set of skills with specialties specific to your data center. In addition to electricians and other engineers with expertise in cabling, specific HVAC cooling and mechanical systems built for the heat load of your RACKS and equipment in the white space plus the technicians with extensive knowledge of servers, software, and other hardware, data centers also rely on to maintain production.

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Staffing and operating your facility efficiently is key. A holistic approach starts with the responsibility for maintaining the training employees to work in critical positions within your data center and having updated education and at least 2 people trained on everything, especially the core aspects of the white space. Cross-train employees to perform multiple functions, you can significantly boost the efficiency of your operations.

Increase uptime,? reliability and predictability

Reliability is the top priority when every minute of downtime? affects the bottom line of the Organization’s business. Maintaining uptime requires an effective performance management system shift to the ability to predict and prevent problems.When an incident does occur, having access to KEY on-site technicians who can quickly get to your facility to solve the problem without network connections is critical to minimizing downtime. On-demand maintenance and repair resources ensure 100% uptime. Implementing Real-Time Problem Solving solutions, Correct Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and added Visual inspections of data centers will help keep Production Running.??

*** Special note the more things out of your control requires more vigilance to build tools to monitor and alert correct resources immediately via multiple platforms to reduce risk of one platform causing a single point of failure.

Mitigate risk

It is critical that managing the agreements for data center facilities management often transfer certain risks to the service provider. This contractual transfer of risk, which typically pertains to risks that could jeopardize uptime. This removes the data center owner’s burden of risk and places responsibility in the hands of another organization or resource that specializes in managing data center white space. Make sure the correct Organization is? incentivized to keep facilities running smoothly and meeting your uptime goals, severe penalties should be in place when your Production and SLA are impacted.

Leverage automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning? (ML) are transforming the way Organizations in a variety of industries do businesstoday. These newer tools create numerous opportunities to streamline and optimize data center white space. History of Systems has transformed over the years - when the first set of special-purpose computers had computers doing a specific task or function used by the US Census Bureau back in the 1950’s. Then came The Mainframe Era (the 1950s-1960s). Followed by The PC Revolution (the 1970s-1980s). Adding Networks, Internet, and World Wide Web (The 1980s - Present). In the mid-1980s, businesses began to see the need to connect their computers to collaborate and share resources. This networking architecture was referred to as "client-server". In the late 1980s to early 1990’s Web 1.0 and the Browser started to appear. Most notable that in the Web 1.0 period, users and companies could create content but could not interact directly on a website. Driving the need to enhance and build Web 2.0. Through to today deman to allow bring your device to work - Apple iPad, iWatch, robots, Fitbit, watch, Kindle, Nest, semi/autonomous cars, drones, virtual reality goggles

Artificial Intelligence bots, language models, INternet of Things and so much more.?

Remember old legacy systems require multiple people with special expertise to manage them. Newer systems, where a greater portion of the work can be automated, require fewer administrators. A data center that once required 200 people to support operations may be able to reduce that headcount to as few as 25 by using AI and machine learning.

Despite the clear benefits of upgrading to automated systems, companies often lack the proper capacity for planning, procuring and building next-generation solutions using the best available resource at the time. This is another area where experienced trained people can help with processes like predictability, solutioning and digital transformation.