Data Center Infrastructure Management: Why Hire an MSP?

Businesses increasingly rely on in-house and cloud data centers to store, process and manage their ever-growing volumes of data. Effectively managing these data centers ensures seamless business operations, higher organizational performance and overarching data security. Data center infrastructure management plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals. However, many organizations lack the internal staff to handle these IT infrastructure services. This phenomenon isn’t solely plaguing the users of these data centers, either; the big data centers, run by Google, Microsoft, Amazon and many others, may also struggle to find staff.

Data doesn’t manage itself and, in a time when the expertise to optimize these systems is thin, it puts the entire organization at risk. That’s why many enterprise organizations are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to handle their IT infrastructure services. Even the biggest data centers leverage these professional organizations to ease the burden of maintaining and monitoring these vast IT architectures.

Let’s delve into the importance of data center infrastructure management and explore why hiring an MSP is becoming an indispensable choice for enterprise organizations in every field seeking to optimize their operations and maintain a competitive edge.

Understanding Data Center Infrastructure Management

Data center infrastructure management is a holistic approach to monitoring, managing and optimizing the physical and technical components of a data center. This typically includes cloud, on-premises or hybrid hardware and software. It may also involve DCIM software that helps automate network uptime and function.

The human side of managing an IT infrastructure involves the integration of IT and facility management to ensure the most efficient use of resources, enhanced performance and the ability to adapt to changing business needs. The key components of data center infrastructure management include power and cooling management, asset tracking, capacity planning and environmental monitoring.

Power and Cooling Management

Companies are under increasing pressure to monitor and limit their data center energy consumption carefully. Some countries, such as China, Germany, Ireland and Singapore, for example, have already imposed restrictions on building new server farms. In the U.S., S&P Global says, “Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’ goal for the data center industry.”

Power consumption and cooling are critical factors in data center efficiency. Human and software-drive DCIM techniques help monitor power usage, ensure equipment operates within specified thresholds and optimize cooling systems to maintain an optimal environment. MSPs specializing in DCIM can implement and manage solutions that help organizations reduce energy costs, enhance equipment lifespan and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Asset Tracking

Effective asset tracking is essential for maintaining an up-to-date inventory of hardware, software and network components within a data center. It’s also a risk management strategy for data centers that want to justify costly equipment purchases. Asset tracking can include end-of-life calculations that help proactively identify which equipment to replace before costly downtime impacts the client. The process can even track equipment performance to provide predictive maintenance to improve the lifetime performance of the various tools within the data center.

Data center infrastructure management best practices enable organizations to track and manage assets throughout their lifecycle, from procurement to disposal. A managed services provider can streamline all asset management processes, reducing the risk of downtime due to outdated or faulty equipment.

Capacity Planning

Capacity planning in data center management refers to the process of assessing, predicting and ensuring that the IT infrastructure can handle current and future demands. It involves analyzing resources such as computing power, storage, network bandwidth and cooling to ensure that they are appropriately provisioned to meet the organization’s needs while avoiding issues such as performance degradation, downtime or inefficient resource utilization.

MSPs leverage their expertise to analyze data center usage patterns, anticipate growth and optimize resource allocation. This proactive approach ensures that organizations have the necessary infrastructure in place to support their evolving IT needs, avoiding bottlenecks and performance issues.

Environmental Monitoring

Data centers require a controlled environment to operate efficiently. It’s particularly critical for system functionality to keep the data center cool, given that their equipment generates significant heat from servers and other hardware. Condensation can damage delicate electronic components. Airflow helps distribute the heat and protect equipment performance.

DCIM systems monitor these and other environmental factors. A managed service provider can implement these and other monitoring solutions to ensure optimal conditions for equipment along with early warning systems that avert any potential issues.

The Growing Need for Managed Infrastructure Services (MIS)

As businesses continue to expand their digital footprint, the complexity of managing data center infrastructure has increased significantly. Many organizations find it challenging to allocate the necessary resources, expertise and time to effectively manage their data centers in-house. Some of the benefits of adding this service to a data center include:

Cost Efficiency

Managing an in-house data center requires significant upfront investments in infrastructure, skilled personnel and ongoing maintenance. MSPs operate on a subscription-based model, allowing businesses to access cutting-edge technologies and expertise without large capital expenditures. It’s a highly cost-effective approach enabling organizations to allocate resources while strategically focusing on core business activities.

Expertise and Specialization

MSPs specialize in providing IT infrastructure services, including DCIM. These teams consist of experienced professionals with expertise in everything from designing and deploying network architectures to cybersecurity. Outsourcing data center management to an MSP means businesses gain access to a pool of specialized talent, ensuring that their infrastructure is in the hands of experts who stay abreast of the latest industry trends and best practices.

Scalability

As businesses grow, their data center requirements evolve. A managed service provider can offer scalability by providing flexible solutions that can adapt to changing needs. Whether it’s expanding storage capacity, increasing computing power or incorporating new technologies, MSPs ensure that the infrastructure scales seamlessly to support business growth.

24/7 Monitoring and Support

Data centers operate around the clock, and downtime can result in significant financial losses. Look for an MSP with a 24/7 monitoring and support service to ensure the identification and mitigation of any potential data center issues. 24/7 support is a proactive approach minimizing downtime risks, enhancing system reliability and providing peace of mind to businesses relying on their data center infrastructure.

Focus on Core Competencies

Outsourcing data center management allows IT teams to concentrate on their core competencies. Instead of diverting resources to IT infrastructure management, your in-house IT staff can channel their energy and resources into innovation, product development and customer satisfaction. MSPs handle the complexities of data center management, freeing up internal teams to focus on these strategic initiatives.

Why Choose MSPs for Data Center Infrastructure Management?

Data centers and other enterprise organizations increasingly turn to a managed IT infrastructure services model to handle their critical information. The benefits of working with these third-party vendors include:

• Access to advanced technologies: Most MSPs invest heavily in staying current with the latest technology. Organizations can access to state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions, monitoring tools and management platforms by partnering with these firms.
• Risk mitigation: Data center management involves inherent risks, from security threats to hardware failures. MSPs implement robust security measures, backup protocols and disaster recovery plans to mitigate risks. They stay vigilant for emerging threats and proactively update systems to address vulnerabilities, enhancing the overall resilience of the data center infrastructure.
• Compliance and regulatory adherence: Many industries are subject to strict regulatory requirements regarding data storage, privacy and security. It’s a particularly important issue for businesses operating in finance, healthcare and government, where compliance is non-negotiable. MSPs are well-versed in compliance, ensuring data center operations adhere to industry regulations.
• Efficient resource utilization: DCIM MSPs optimize resource utilization within data centers, ensuring computing power, storage and networking capabilities align with enterprise business needs.
• Rapid deployment and upgrades: Businesses often face challenges when quickly deploying new technologies or upgrading existing infrastructure. MSPs excel in rapid deployment and upgrades, leveraging their expertise and streamlined processes to implement changes efficiently. It is an agility essential in enterprise environments, where the ability to adapt quickly can provide a competitive advantage.

IT infrastructures’ complexity and evolving nature make managed infrastructure services compelling for organizations seeking to optimize their data center operations. MSPs bring specialized expertise, cost efficiency, scalability and more to the table, making these arrangements attractive and successful.

Red River: Your Data Center Infrastructure Management Resource

Red River is an experienced managed service provider focusing on data center infrastructure management. We offer a comprehensive suite of services to meet the diverse needs of our enterprise clients. From power and cooling management to asset tracking, capacity planning and environmental monitoring, Red River’s data center infrastructure management solutions are tailored to address the multifaceted aspects of IT infrastructure operations.

Red River offers clients a variety of services, from virtualization to private or hybrid cloud. If colocation is the best strategy, we can provision and support these models.

Our DCIM portfolio includes:

• Power and cooling management: Red River does more than just monitor and manage data center usage and manage cooling; we optimize these systems for better performance. This proven approach ensures that your data center equipment operates within specified thresholds, contributing to energy efficiency and cost savings.
• Asset tracking and management: Red River’s solutions for asset tracking provide organizations with the tools to maintain an accurate and up-to-date inventory of hardware, software and network components. Our proactive approach aids in minimizing the risk of downtime due to outdated or faulty equipment.
• Capacity planning: Red River recognizes the importance of anticipating and planning for future capacity requirements. Through advanced analytics and a proactive approach, their capacity planning solutions enable organizations to scale their infrastructure seamlessly. This approach ensures our clients have the necessary resources in place to support their evolving IT needs, preventing bottlenecks and optimizing performance.
• Environmental monitoring: Red River uses the latest DCIM tools to provide early warnings of potential issues, allowing for preventive measures and reducing the risk of equipment failures.
• State-of-the-art technologies: Red River leverages cutting-edge technologies to empower organizations in their data center management journey. Integrating innovative technology solutions ensures our clients can make use of the latest advancements in DCIM, contributing to enhanced performance, security and overall data efficiency.

Red River places clients at the forefront of our operations. With a client-centric approach, we understand each organization’s unique needs and challenges. Personalized partnerships with our clients allow us to tailor our DCIM solutions. We ensure that clients receive more than a service – they get a strategic partnership to achieve their goals.

Red River stands as more than a service provider; we are a strategic ally in the pursuit of seamless, efficient and future-ready data center operations. As organizations face evolving demands for their IT infrastructures, Red River’s commitment to excellence in data center infrastructure management positions us as a reliable resource for businesses striving for success. Contact us to find out more.

Q&A

How is DCIM software different from data center infrastructure management?
DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) refers to a comprehensive discipline or approach to managing and optimizing a data center’s physical and technical components. It encompasses various processes, practices and tools to enhance a data center infrastructure’s efficiency, reliability and overall performance. DCIM software, on the other hand, is a subset of tools designed specifically to facilitate and automate aspects of DCIM functions

What are the benefits of capacity planning in data center management?

Capacity planning is a key part of data center management to ensure adequate coverage over the life of the facility. The benefits include:

• Optimized resource utilization to prevent over- or under-provisioning.
• Improved data center performance and reliability for smoother, more responsive network performance.
• Cost savings from preventing unnecessary hardware purchases or upgrades. Capacity planning helps organizations strategically invest in the right resources that align IT expenses with actual business needs.
• Scalability and flexibility to respond to changing demands without sacrificing network performance.
• Proactive issue resolution that minimizes downtime risk, service disruptions and performance degradation.
• Provides insights for enhanced strategic decision-making.