Data center RFP (Request For Proposal) – 7 essential tips for writing and evaluating RFPs and specifications

July 12, 2012 By

       

Have you ever wondered at the amazing progress that technology has made over the last couple of centuries? Much of our daily life now depends on information technology. Data centers have become crucial in the world today for disseminating information and problem solving. The situation may come about in our business life where we ask, ‘What makes an effective data center room?’ This could be a difficult question to answer for those who are not familiar with modern data center rooms. A data center room is a facility for keeping and safeguarding all systems involved in the proper functioning of computers. Effective data centers are established by following certain well stipulated procedures.  

This is an image from S&C Pure Wave and UPS systems, that is compliant with the environment.

Designing data centers and promoting their continuous improvement and modification is a complex task. In the early days of computer technology computers weren’t the small and compact machines they are today; instead they were very large and bulky mainframe computers. These computers were slow in both interface and distribution of data and even manipulation of information was difficult. Sometimes they overheated and needed to be cooled. Due to all these complications, there was a need to improve the performance of these computers. This led to the invention of data centers which had much more powerful computers that were much better suited to both the modern age and the future. Information technology has really moved on and one of the results is the introduction of enhanced and better equipped data centers. Data center services are crucial for the 21st century. Modern, small and compact computers have contributed greatly to better and faster ways of acquiring and manipulating data. These data centre services streamline any operation performed by computers and make it easier for an individual to operate and acquire any information needed at any time. Product marketing can determine the level of a data center services performance; this is a well orchestrated procedure for determining the customer’s needs and then come up with products that meet their needs perfectly. This is one of the areas which have, in the past, have been ignored when it comes to development and implementation of data centers. Marketing is behind improved sales, so improving the performance of data centers and the provision of data center services and then doing customer- oriented marketing should not be ignored. For many years system designers and researchers have been researching how data centers and data center services can be improved. Data centers are not a concept of science fiction, but a system of interconnected computers and information technology facilities which are meant to serve the general good of the entire world. To come up with a modern data center means investing in modern infrastructures, computers, internet facilities and wireless enhancements. An effective and well established data center room depends entirely on the strength and the level of technology in use. How can we talk about effective data center rooms and data center services if we will not commit our efforts and money into capital investment? Data center services are essential for the new era, so a researcher and a designer of a data center should think and strategize beforehand. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Tip one:  in depth instructions and applicability

The predicted performance and how this performance will be met should be established well in advance; data centers to be developed, customers for data center services  and the data center room developers to be involved should not be left to chance if provision of all data center services is to be ensured. Strategy should be well planned and the end project of an excellent standard to keep motivation high

Tip two: Benefits of planned specifications

Planned data center specifications serve a huge role in the development of data center rooms and facilities. The importance of such specifications cannot be underestimated if data center services are to be successful. Data center management and development entirely depends on the needs of the customers. Data center room designers tailor data center rooms so that clients can give value for money in their business dealings. In this fast paced modern era what is called for are effective products delivered by effective data center management and coordination. Some people, especially those who don’t know much about information technology, may tend to ask questions like, ‘What does data center management entail?’ As a specialist in technology, you may find this a difficult question to answer. Understand the question; potential designers of data centers are expected to be very much informed on what it they are and how to design them in such a way that if a customer reads the written proposal, they are definitely attracted by it and therefore bid on it. That is why they need to ask themselves what good and effective data center management calls for before committing themselves, or they may not be successful in getting clients.

Tip three: style.

The way in which the information is put across will influence the choice of company for the design of a data center room. The language used by data service management should be precise and to the point.

Tip four: Choosing data center room designers.

Once the contractors have submitted their applications, effective screening should be left only to qualified data center room developers. Taking on just any contractor will result in unsuitable data centers which will, in the long run, affect data center management and data center services delivery.

Tip five: compiling the data center summary

A well organized list of all tasks, broken down into many data center management areas, is necessary. This step-by-step break down of a complex process is very helpful to contractors as it helps them to come up with a clear forecast of the cost structures. This will help them in planning the data center, which is one the most crucial functions of data center management.

Tip six: Avoid rip-offs.

There can be loopholes in any contract, so it is advised that an expert is engaged to prevent any exploitation of the data center management.

Tip seven: Knowledge of the identifiable and provisional costs.

An effective data center management should do all it can to ensure they understands the costs which can be determined precisely and those which are approximate.

Knowledge is power, so having clear details on cost and money-saving strategies should be at the forefront of the minds of everyone involved especially those involved in data center management. This will ensure a successful future for all.

zp8497586rq
Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Data Center Design, Data Center Management, Uncategorized

Smart Tips for Data Centre Builds to Reduce Risk

February 22, 2012 By

Companies and big organizations need suitable ways of acquiring and storing critical information which is important to the smooth running of their activities. A channel to obtain all this should be planned and implemented as soon as the need arises. The success of this is accomplished by taking chances whenever an opportunity is detected. Running an efficient data centre as well as cloud hosting, should be thoroughly exploited in order to run an organization effectively. This means that many individuals and companies want to know how to design a data centre.

A data centre is a basic need for any company the strategic planning of which is done professionally to maximize profits and improve on its revenue. Improvements in technology are having a great impact in the IT sector. Any computer, whether at home or in an office, is expected to become a data centre. In running the activities of an organization effectively, a data centre should be monitored and any reduction in performance addressed immediately. This is why business need to know how to design a data centre. When a data centre has problems, the company loses revenue and in a worst case scenario, can collapse. If one is running a busy business activity, and the data centre experiences a malfunction, customers will be lost, and revenue, which is the main aim of any business, may be lost. Any slight data centre malfunction can also affect other strategic activities in a busy organisation. Of course, planned disruptions in relation to a data centre and the subsequent interruption of power won’t cause harm to a business as everyone will be aware of what is taking place. However, if the interruption is unexpected and no formal plan is in place to inform clients and customers the business may be harmed or may even collapse. A data centre is powered by energy from the national supply, but because this power supply may sometimes fail, it is sensible and professional to have a backup supply. With careful planning of the data centre system, strategies are laid down to ensure that there is room for supplying other backup sources of power. These may include a generator and other battery systems.

We’ll now take a look at Cloud computing and Cloud hosting.

Cloud computing is the process of making use of networks to supply a computing service to users. Cloud computing is advantageous in that it uses the available software and by doing so, costs that would otherwise be incurred are avoided. Cloud computing goes hand in hand with the internet. Cloud computing is the term used for a system which supplies information from one center to many others. The delivery of internet applications and protocols that are commonly processed by machines like computers and cell phones is usually done using this information technology system which is known as cloud computing. Cloud computing systems involve a mechanism where data is shared from a central strategic point. Cloud computing is less costly, and most countries including the USA have adopted it .It is advisable for agencies and companies adopt cloud computing technology in order to cut down on their costs.

This is an image from S&C Pure Wave and UPS systems that are compliant with the environment taken from.

Cloud hosting is also crucial if a business is to carry out its operations in a professional manner. Cloud hosting is believed to be the most efficient way of acquiring information from a server which is linked to other computers in an organization. Cloud hosting also enables all websites both big and small to acquire any required information effectively with no complications. Numerous advantages are associated with cloud hosting. The efficient operation of the website is assured with cloud hosting and the exercise is done by a network of computers.

Any new clients of this attractive cloud hosting system will not only get the services offered, but will also enjoy the inexpensive charges and the features that are at their disposal. Cloud hosting is a technology that enables many peripheral computers to share information as if it was a single machine. Cloud hosting as technology is preferred because with it, security and secrecy are assured. SiteGround is among a number of companies that are responsible for supplying these services. The company offers more sophisticated and improved cloud hosting services meaning that many computers can receive information using only one channel with no inconvenience whatsoever. Even the charges for this are client friendly. Safaricom is another mobile provider that participates in the supply of cloud hosting services, usually on demand. Here, shared peripherals, for instance the printer, are operated online. This form of computing has made a great impact on customers, since it is aimed at meeting the needs of the clients. Many people are attracted to the system and subscribers come from all walks of life. This system promotes local innovators who are involved in the improvement of technology. Cloud computing is the way forward for data centres. Critical thinkers may want to be aware of how to design a data centre. Well, this is a complicated exercise and only those with the correct expertise are able to do it Knowledge of how to design a data centre is required if this is what you want to do. Many companies want to know how to design a data centre, but this is a job best left to the professionals because it is a complicated process and takes a long time to understand fully what is required. When presenting a project on data centers to clients, the presenter is likely to be questioned on how to design a data centre since the potential customers may not be aware of what is involved. The client is in charge at this point and whatever inquiry that is made by him or her should be addressed thoroughly. The client should be supplied with all the information on how to design a data centre. A professional who specializes in IT, and understands how to design a data centre, should tell you that the first thing to be looked into is the presence of enough room or space where the computers are to be placed. Those who are not well versed in technology may not realize the importance of this. For a data centre system to effective, certain criteria that goes in line with how to design a data centre, must be met. How to design a data centre is a serious exercise and critical as far as technology is concerned. A lot of planning is involved if good results are desired. Proper designing of a data centre is advantageous to clients, as it saves time especially if one is looking for information that he or she knows is stored in the system.

For more quality articles visit DataCenterTalk.

zp8497586rq
Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Data Center Design, Data Center Resources, Data Center Solutions

Advantages of Using a Data Center

February 13, 2012 By

Data centers and data server rooms have many advantages that companies can make use of. Proper data center management means that a company’s valuable information is available to it twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Losing vital information can be one of the worst things that can happen to a company; having it accessed by unauthorized personnel is just as bad, and is one of the main problems faced by companies and organizations today, which is why secure data centers are very necessary.

Data center management remains the cornerstone for effective data server rooms. Effective data center management has great benefits for any company or organization and is very necessary in terms of administration. Data storage is often one of the main challenges for any organization, and is one of the areas in data center systems which has to be looked at regularly and consideration given to further investment in the latest and most efficient data center systems This ensures high capacity and secure storage in data server rooms of all types of data. Searching and retrieving data is quick and easy with automated data systems housed in data server rooms. Both profit and non-profit making institutions are getting the benefit of the low operating costs incurred by data centers today. The fight for survival in business today is more intense than ever, so it is advantageous that management and data reconciliation is no longer a concern for any company or organization with data center systems and the appropriate data center management overseeing the management of data server rooms. Dreams of expansion are being realized with the use of data center services. With data center systems and data center management, organizations and institutions have all it takes to ensure smooth running and manning as far as information sharing is concerned. This holistic system enables management of data or information in all branches of a company in their data server rooms.

Although technology is dynamic and often becomes obsolete as fast as it appears, costs can be reduced to compensate for this by using effective data center systems and efficient operational methodology. Data centers and data server rooms have been proved to perform well with the minimum of space, drives and power, thus saving both time and money while ensuring that information is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, with proper data center management and well managed data server rooms, resources are properly utilized and preserved in data centers for other profitable projects as well as expansion when the time comes. The transition from a manual database to highly technological and modernized data centers and data center systems can only benefit any business, and can be achieved with the help of data center management. In the recent past, before this world changing technology came into being, companies used most of their resources in safeguarding information, not to mention having large numbers of employees working in this vital department, just to end up with data loss and leakages of confidential information. Switching to data centers and using data server rooms has led to a drastic reduction in the numbers of workers as well as other costs being eliminated; this is reflected in a sizable increase in the profit margins of organizations that use them.

Research and development is very important and is the reason why the world is so dynamic. Much has been achieved in institutions of learning as a result of research with data centers and excellent data center management. Teamwork has been, and still, is the cornerstone of any research.  The sharing of information while ensuring confidentiality has attracted the attention of people who want to know about data center systems. The installation and use of data centers, while employing the right personnel for data center management, has enabled accessibility and easy transmission of information to clients, as well as creating a public profile to advertise your potential and capabilities.

One of the most important and advantageous things that has resulted from the advanced data center systems available today, together with skilled data center management, is education. In the past the desire to educate yourself meant spending a lot of time and money, and was a heavy commitment and investment. Nowadays, online learning is utilized by many people who gain qualifications which enable them to enter the job market as well equipped and well educated professionals. This is made possible by improved data center systems. In other words, in a lot of cases, online learning has replaced physical classes where learners do not need to attend learning sessions or have private tuition. Instead course content is on a network system where it is accessible through data centers in data server rooms to intelligent, focused and determined learners who spend less acquiring materials or traveling. Many people find that this is, for them, the best way to acquire qualifications. Data center systems housed in data server rooms enable people to study independently in their homes or in learning centers, only appearing in a formal setting when it is time to take examinations. Data centers hold large amounts of information, and keep it safe through the employment of a good data center management team, ensuring that it remains available for the use of anyone who wishes to attain professional qualifications. An efficient and well managed data server room is a great resource for both individuals and businesses alike.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Data Center Resources, Data Center Solutions Tagged With: ,

Is a Storage Server and a Data Center Server the Same Thing?

December 8, 2011 By

Many people are of the opinion that a storage server and a data center server are basically the same thing and that there is no big difference between these two terms. Well, the truth about this is not as obvious as one might think. A data center server is a very fast computer with lots of RAM memory, enough storage capacity and fast enough chips to act as a file server, print server, applications server, and so on. On the other hand, a storage server differs from a data center server in more ways than one.

Storage Capacity

While a typical server needs to be fast, it actually doesn’t have to have an abundant storage capacity. The perfect example of this is the number of hard drives it contains – while a typical server will have around 5 hard drives, give or take a few, a storage server will have up to 24 hard drives, or sometimes even more. The reason for this is simple – the storage server is used for the purposes of data storage, which is why it has to have a bigger memory capacity.

What They Look Like

When it comes to their physical appearance, storage servers are most commonly found as individual units. However, it can be that they come in two separate units – one box will be dedicated to data storage, while the other will be the server itself. These two units can be put together in a rack, or they can be put in two different locations.

Additional Features

Storage servers can come with services such as storage management software, special hardware for durability, or even an array of RAID systems. All in all, the main difference between storage servers and data center server lies in their purpose – data center servers have a more general purpose, while storage servers are used for data storage.

 

DCT wants to know what else you might need on Data Centers. Leave us a post.


Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Storage / Server Tagged With: , , ,

What Is Good Data Storage Software?

December 8, 2011 By

In this day and age, finding a reliable and overall properly functioning data storage software is something that needs to be taken very seriously. The reason for this is quite simple. Namely, information and data are very valuable, so any business simply has to make sure that their valuable pieces of information and data are kept safe but easily accessible to them. Today, this is easily done by the use of an IT data center and good and reliable data storage software and hardware.

What qualities should my data storage software possess?

Good data storage software used in your IT data center should possess the following qualities in order for you to know that it is worth the money invested. First of all, it has to be simple enough. Simplicity in use and operation is very important, as overly complicated data storage software is the last thing you need in your IT data center. Aside from ease of use, good data storage software should help you to reduce your costs when it comes to running your data center. With good data storage software, you will be able to save money on hardware you will need to operate your data center.

What additional requirement should I look into?

The data storage software you go for will also always have to answer your specific needs, as well as provide you with great data backup and data recovery solution. Owing to the fact that your business would probably be in serious trouble if something happened that could result in data loss, having data storage software with a reliable and proven data backup and data recovery solution will always prove to be something that is mandatory.

 

Therefore, by finding data storage software that possesses all of these qualities, you can be sure that you have made a good decision and that your business will benefit from the data storage software you have chosen. Good data storage software can be found easily, as companies including Hitachi, IBM, HP, Oracle, and many others offer great deals in this department.

You can also keep up to date with current trends and technology by visiting Data Centre Talk where we keep you informed on important changes as they occur.


Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

The Importance of RAID Storage in Data Centers

December 8, 2011 By

Managing a data center is never an easy task for a company of any size. Now, when we take into consideration what a Google data center would look like, with Google being the biggest search engine in the world of the modern Internet, it is very easy to conclude that managing a data center such as a Google data center would be anything but easy.

There are a lot of things that need to be taken care of when it comes to managing a data center, and these things include thermal management, data storage, data backup solutions, security and many more things.

What is RAID?

RAID, meaning Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is basically a system that uses many different hard drives and makes a unique storage system out of all of these pieces of hardware. This results in the creation of only one virtual drive, which consists of all the hard disk drives on a particular site, and the memory capacity of this drive can amount to hundreds of terabytes. When using RAID storage in your data center, it is very important to remember the following information: the main virtual drive of the RAID system will automatically adopt the data transfer rate of the physical hard disk drive with the lowest data transfer rate, as this is the only way in which the data can be successfully transferred from one hard drive to another. Therefore, it is always a good idea to have exactly the same hard drives with the same data transfer speed, so as to enable the RAID system to function properly.

 

You can also keep up to date with current trends and technology by visiting Data Centre Talk where we keep you informed on important changes as they occur.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Storage / Server Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Data Center Facility and Saving Money

December 7, 2011 By

Keeping important data safe has always been very important to every business owner, regardless of whether they own a small business or run a big company. However, it is a bigger challenge for large corporations to back up their valuable pieces of information than it is for a small business. A big company normally uses a data center facility to store their data, and it often happens that the business grows, which then leads to creating more than one data center facility. In spite of the fact that this seems like a logical move, it actually is not the best solution financially.

Data Center Facilities Can Leave You Financially Drained!

On the one hand a data center facility is very efficient in storing files for a company, but there are a couple of drawbacks to this concept, the chief of which is the high cost. What this basically means is that data centers need to be maintained regularly, and this requires a financial investment. These rooms need to have air conditioning, so as to maintain the temperature required for the devices to function properly.

 

Secondly, data centers spend a lot of energy and this results in high electricity bills. In cases where there is more than one data center, the cost of monthly bills can be really high. This is why a lot of attention has been devoted to finding new and better ways of saving energy in regard to data center facilities.

 

In conclusion, cutting down on electricity bills and any other expenses related to data centers can be easily accomplished. The main problem is that people are not aware of the fact that they can pay a lot less money for their data center to function well. Getting some information on this subject can be a very wise decision, resulting in great savings. For instance, money can be saved by investing in new, energy-saving equipment, turning off all unnecessary lights and computers, using renewable energy sources and so on.

DCT talks more on Green Data Centers.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Data Center Management, Green IT Tagged With: , , ,

What Is a Data Center Network?

December 7, 2011 By

 

The number of entrepreneurs who have achieved great success in their lines of business, as well as the number of entrepreneurs who have just started a new business, is very high. It is now a lot easier for people to profit from their businesses and expand their businesses than it was a decade or two ago. New technologies have made it fairly easy for people to start a business and also connect with their business partners and employees. One of the things that a lot of business owners find very useful is a data center. However, not everyone can answer the following question – what is a data center?

Data Center Network

First and foremost, it needs to be explained briefly – what is a data center? In spite of the fact that the term data center might sound too technical or complicated, the whole concept of it is pretty simple to understand. A data center is a room where a company keeps its important files, and this includes both physical devices and software. Here is where the main server is located – it connects all computers in the company and this is called a data center network.

 

The main server has a lot of different functions and it is most commonly connected to a data center network. Maintaining this server is of the greatest importance for the company, as, in cases when a server is properly maintained, the company can operate all the time without interruption. Proper maintenance includes keeping an appropriate temperature in a computer room, as well as correct humidity levels, and so on. After it has been given an answer to the question of what is a data center, it becomes much clearer how a company can benefit from one of these – having all important data in one safe place can help a company work better and ensure that there will be no data loss, or similar, that can eventually affect their businesses in a negative way. Data center network solutions are numerous, but they are most commonly networks that run the internet protocol suite.

Continue reading about data centers and their operations on Data Center Talk.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,

Why Is Data Center Thermal Management Important

December 7, 2011 By

With the large amounts of data every company has to store, it is essential for them to keep their data safe and within reach. The problem with great amounts of data is the fact that not all the data is equally important; some data is more frequently used than other data, for example. What happens is that data that is not needed for a long period of time easily gets lost, and when it is needed again, it is impossible to track it down. Therefore, it can be seen why company owners had no other option but to find an efficient solution when it comes to keeping their precious data safe. In that respect, data centers have become widespread, as they have proven to be an excellent method for storing data and keeping it safe.

 

First off, it needs to be said that data centers are facilities commonly referred to as computer rooms, where a company keeps all of their computer equipment. Here is where all the storage and security devices are located, which is why there are certain rules in regard to maintaining data centers properly. One of the most important rules to follow regarding data centers is data center cooling.

Data Center Cooling

Data centers need to maintain a certain temperature in order for all the devices in them to be safe. Since the servers in the data center have to function round the clock, they draw a lot of power for their operation. This leads to heating up of the systems and the temperature of the systems have to be regulated constantly. This is best done by using air conditioning, as by doing so it is possible to control the temperature and humidity of the air in the room. Humidity control is important to ensure that water does not condense on internal circuits during high humidity conditions and does not lead to static discharge in low humidity conditions.

 

According to regulations, the temperature in a data center should not exceed 24 °C (75°F) and it should be kept above 16°C (61°F), which is why data center cooling is extremely important. Temperatures in data centers can easily rise, and this can cause damage to devices that are located there. Therefore, the issue of data center cooling should not be neglected, as this will help data centers run properly, and more importantly, without any malfunctions.

Data Center Talk has more to say about data center management. Read on.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon

Filed Under: Data Center Cooling, Data Center Management Tagged With: , , ,

Pros and Cons of SaaS

December 7, 2011 By

When it comes to the data center in your company, there are many things you will have to make sure of for it to be in perfect order. These things include the temperature and the air humidity of the data center, that all the software and hardware is functioning properly, all the servers and switches are functioning, and so on. In order to be able to do this, you will have to get to know all the aspects of managing the data center, and one of these aspects will include getting all the available information on the pros and cons of SaaS.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is an abbreviation for the term Software as a Service. This basically represents any software in a data center that is used over the internet and is not present on any of the devices that use it. What this means is that a company sells you software you are able to use over the internet without the need to install it or take care of it. Some examples of SaaS are Fortiva or Live Office email services.  Even though this sounds great, here is a list of its pros and cons:

Advantages of SaaS

The most obvious benefit of SaaS is the fact that you don’t have to install the software on your computer, thus saving hard drive space. Also, there is no need to worry about someone illegally copying the software or fixing the problems with it, because it actually isn’t there on the computers.

Disadvantages of SaaS

There are two great drawbacks with SaaS, and one of these is security and the fact that it is used over the internet. The fact that the software in question is used over the internet implies that all the data will be leaving the company network, which is less secure than if it didn’t. Also, if it happens that there are some internet connection problems, the software in question will not be available to end users.

More details on Cloud and Software as a Service are available at Data Center Talk.

Share on TwitterSubmit to StumbleUpon
Filed Under: Cloud Computing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts