3rd March 2010
Strategic Virtualization Benefits Come from Combination of Technology, Process, People
A new BriefingsDirect podcast discussion covered the issue of proper planning and the efficient implementation of data center virtualization in order to yield strategic-level advantage for enterprises.
Companies usually begin the use of server virtualization at a tactical level and because of this, there is usually a complex hurdle when it comes to expanding the reach and utility of virtualization. According to industry analysts, virtualization is expected to support more than half of server workloads over the next couple of years. However, we are already looking at a lot of gaps between the expectations of the enterprises and their actual ability to aggressively keep up and implement virtualization without problems.
These gaps are typically associated with issues on process, technology and people. In many cases, even, a combination of all three is causing the roadblock. Proper methodological involvement, swift problem management and process refinement have been proven to reduce the risk of failure by providing ways of preventing a lot of major problems as virtualization goes up a notch higher.
The goal of virtualization then becomes one that covers lifecycle orchestration as well as governed management for all associated efforts. This is so business outcomes as well as the expected IT efficiencies are all accomplished.
Sufficient education, training and skilled acquisition are three of the most popular areas that have to be part of strategic virtualization projects. It is also important to factor in managed mixed sourcing, outsourcing and consulting around operational and implementation management. There are also the typical needs concerning platforms, hardware and system and the need for software testing and integration.
