Over the years the datacenter facility has evolved as a crucial infrastructure for storing computer systems and other related equipments. For instance storage systems and telecommunications, that includes environmental controls, redundant data communication connections, back-up power and security equipments are now being increasingly stored in datacenters.
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Datacenter Outsourcing is Beneficial – It helps your organization focus on doing what it does best
1. Datacenter Outsourcing is Beneficial – It helps your organization focus on doing what it
does best
Over the years the datacenter facility has evolved as a crucial infrastructure for storing
computer systems and other related equipments. For instance storage systems and
telecommunications, that includes environmental controls, redundant data communication
connections, back-up power and security equipments are now being increasingly stored in
datacenters. Not to undermine the importance of the HVAC and the fire security systems
that are vital for system recovery and maintenance.
Such being the case, any decision on whether to outsource or build the datacenter facility is
an important one and needs to be analyzed on the grounds of core competencies. Increased
performance and organizational delivery should be the primary objective for any
organization who chooses to outsource their datacenter. It is possible that the focus may
become a little muddied in the process of taking this decision. Outsourcing a datacenter is
an important business objective and a vital decision for the IT department of organizations
to make. It is the responsibility of the IT departments to concentrate on practices that lead
to strategic benefit to companies and allow resources to be focused on the key areas only.
Outsourcing the datacenter is one of these. Therefore, Outsourcing a datacenter needs a
thorough review of the alternatives at a strategic level from a business perspective. It also
requires a tactical evaluation of the facility requirement estimations, asset inventories, and
budgetary considerations.
For most business organizations who want to focus their energies on their key competence
areas, outsourcing datacenter is the perfect way to align business and IT in a cost-efficient
manner. There are many business advantages associated with outsourcing a datacenter,
that differ from attaining maximized financial and functional efficiencies, proactive
monitoring and managing hosted IT architecture and maximize consumer satisfaction.
Outsourcing the datacenter to a competent and capable service provider helps organizations
to gain the benefits of having a secure IT infrastructure and the best and the most current
technology options. It also offers the ease and flexibility to manage day-to-day functions.
Other advantages of outsourcing your datacenter include:
Efficiently aligning to changing business requirements
Complying with corporate governance
Cost benefit
Personalized services
Scalable IT functions to cater to increasing business demands
Having access to the latest technology
Accountability through SLA’s
Business continuity
Access to expert know-how
Energy efficient datacenter solutions
High-accessibility and consistency
Making the most of the true IT potential and not just sticking to managing costs
2. Sidebar
Datacenter Outsourcing – What will be outsourced? Having made the decision to outsource
the datacenter it will only be prudent to know what are the components that will be
outsourced. These are:
Security
HVAC
Data backup and recovery services
Server monitoring and management
Network operations and hardware maintenance
Help desk and trouble ticketing
Infrastructure operations and end-user assistance
The fact remains that outsourcing is not only based on financial gains, it is not just about the
economics. The most important aspect of outsourcing is the level of maturing of the client
organization - if the organization is mature enough to manage an outsource partner, do they
have a culture to support outsourcing, etc.
Another important point to consider while outsourcing Data Center infrastructure and its
management is how to seamlessly integrate the organizations processes with that of the
Outsourcing Service Provider (OSP). It is important that these processes are monitored
continuously to avoid the risk of poorly performing processes at the OSP level and mitigate
any issues resulting from it.
By the virtue of leaving substantial control of assets and management in the hands of an
OSP, there is the inherent risk of business getting affected because of non-performance of
the service provider. Risk of business continuity resulting from this non-performance should
be mitigated by carefully planning the outsourcing strategy, clear expectations setting from
the beginning and ensuring choice of the right partner for the deal.
Finally, financial implication of changing costs and exchange rates if applicable has to be
monitored regularly. Project times lines as planned and the financial implications of any
delays have direct impact on the perceived benefits of any outsourcing deal.
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