Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

The leadership and management staff at aHouston data center possessa deep knowledge and understanding of facility operations. These leaders often hold engineering degrees,business degrees, or some combination of those skills. Data center managers synthesize their skills in order to manage the processes and people that keep customer deployments running. In addition, the management staff seeks to increase their sustainability skills,as ecologically friendly computing and “green” data centers find increasing favor.

Data Center Infrastructure Management, or DCIM, is a process initiated by these highly skilled professionals. They use their skills with aid from methods common to premier data centers. Some of these tools include:

A Comprehensive Database

This is a tracking and management tool that streamlines information facility-wide. Physical assets, customer equipment, networking, power, and cooling information is stored in the database. In addition, this master database includes personnel information so that management can deploy the right engineers or technicians appropriately.

Asset Tracking

Houston data centers possess sophisticated software to track the center’s physical assets.This can include hundreds or thousands of pieces of equipment.

In addition, a separate component tracks andorganizes customer equipment and cable. The software may also allow for tracking of interdependencies. For instance, if one of the customer’s routers is malfunctioning,the software alerts Houston data center staff to the exact location of the issue.

Graphic Capabilities

Houston data center management employ visual elements that graphically display system components and their interdependencies. Graphic visualization lets management see the status of all data center assets at a glance.

Automated Alerts

Software alerts technicians of the need toservice orprovision new equipment.Staff can then communicate with customers as needed.

People Plans

In the past few years, third party vendors have developed software to manage and deploy personnel in an efficient manner. These processes maximize the Houston data center’sability to efficiently manage the facility.The software can therefore plan, forecast, and deploy appropriate labor to meet constantly changing demands. This kind of proactive software addresses issues before they arise. The software identifies top talentandopportunities to improve talent, which improves productivity and customer satisfaction.

Modern workforce scheduling matches the task to an employee’s qualifications, on demand. Key benefits of workforce scheduling include:

• Agility - The most qualified engineersandtechnicians speedto the task.
• Performance Management – Personnel are recognized and rewarded for high quality service. This improves employee retention.
• Forecasting – As tasks and demands shift over time, patterns are recognized and planned for in a long-term fashion.
• Training – Houston data centers can identify employees that may benefit from cross training or coaching.
• Productivity – Quality operations increase customer satisfaction and reduce customer costs.