Of course there are more, but here are some of the issues that can arise when IT infrastructure data is left uncontrolled and scattered…
Five Reasons You Need to Consolidate Your IT Infrastructure Information
Guys with signs
1. Attrition
“Bob is retiring next month? But he knows where everything is around here!!”
This is a scenario that happens all too often. Many infrastructure changes are recorded on red-lined diagrams that can only be interpreted by key individuals – and when they go, the knowledge can go with them. Creating a permanent record within a comprehensive database eliminates the worries associated with loss of knowledge transfer.
2. Disaster Prevention
“But we were only digging far enough to put in a fence post – that cable should have been buried deeper.”
Another less common but all too real issue – a major feeder cable gets cut during a routine maintenance operation and facilities go down for hours or longer. The only true way to prevent this is to be aware of the exact locations of every cable within your campus – down to the x, y, and z coordinates. Having a geospatially-equipped visual database gives users insight into the exact locations of cables and maintenance holes so that inadvertent damage can be avoided or eliminated altogether.
3. Disaster Recovery
“Which server is down? Do we have a backup? How long to get another system in place and recover?”
Even with the best records, unplanned outages still occur. Getting systems back online quickly can mean the difference between losing or saving thousands or even millions of dollars. A consolidated database of information can help users find details in seconds, as opposed to fumbling through paper copies and consulting multiple applications to research which has the critical information for the moment’s crisis.
4. Moves, Adds and Changes
“The accounting department is changing offices again. What will the work order include for a complete move?”
In large businesses, office moves are a common yet non-trivial occurrence. Records for voice and data service changes, along with computer and peripheral setup information, can be contained in multiple disparate applications, complicating the move process. Additionally, it’s often necessary to survey the old and new locations and the terminations in between to determine what assets and patching will be affected, as well as if the capacity is available for the new requirements. With a centralized infrastructure database, you can save countless labor hours and possible rework by having all the details at your fingertips and being able to model the change before actually performing it.
5. Knowledge is PowerGuy Superhero
“Do we have available fiber? Where is it? What’s in the closet? Which circuits go where? Do we have capacity? Recovery plans?”So many questions… some with answers that are harder to find than others. The ability to access a wealth of information about your entire enterprise IT infrastructure with a few simple keystrokes is much more than a “nice to have” capability – it could save thousands of dollars on a regular basis in more efficient use of labor; better planning for facility growth and changes; and reduced outage times in critical situations.
Want to know more? Take 3 minutes to view this brief video –
