Are you lost in space: stuck with an outdated DCIM system, and feeling like you’re aboard a malfunctioning starship? Perhaps you’re dealing with high costs, limited features, poor customer service, or your DCIM vendor has been acquired or discontinued support (or, maybe even worse, youโ€™ve received no communications from your vendor in a long time and the software hasnโ€™t been updated in way too long?).

If any of the above sounds familiar, it’s time to boldly go where you’ve never gone before: finding a new DCIM solution!

Scouting the DCIM Universe

As you embark on your quest for the ideal DCIM solution, it’s important to keep your phasers set to “analyze.” Just like exploring new planets, you’ll need to gather crucial intel about possible vendors to make an informed decision.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the universe of DCIM vendors:

  1. ๐Ÿ“… Check the stardate: When evaluating DCIM vendors, it’s important to consider how frequently they update their software. Look for vendors that release new versions of their software on a regular basis, and ask if you can obtain a copy of their latest product roadmap. This will help you understand their development plans and ensure that their software will continue to meet your needs in the future.
  2. ๐Ÿ“ก Scan their comms: Another important factor to consider when evaluating DCIM vendors is their level of engagement with the industry. Look for vendors that regularly post new articles, videos, and news releases, and that participate in industry events and webinars. This will give you a sense of their thought leadership and commitment to staying on top of industry trends and best practices.
  3. ๐ŸŒŒ Say goodbye to your old-school star charts: One of the key benefits of DCIM is the ability to manage capacity and optimize data center operations in real-time. Look for vendors that offer a range of visualization tools and features, such as interactive dashboards, heat maps, and predictive analytics. This will help you make informed decisions about capacity planning, energy usage, and equipment placement, ultimately saving your organization time and money.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to scout the DCIM universe and find the ideal vendor for your organization’s needs.

Example: netTerrain DCIM helps you make informed decisions with deep insights in clicks

Embarking on Your DCIM Mission

Now that you’re ready to embark on this mission to implement a Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solution, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

  • ๐Ÿš€ Choose between big vs boutique DCIM software vendors: When selecting a DCIM solution, you’ll need to decide between big software vendors, which offer a range of features and integrations, and boutique vendors, which focus on specific areas of DCIM functionality. Consider factors such as budget, company size, and the specific needs of your organization when making this decision.
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Define your requirements: It’s important to define your requirements and goals for the DCIM implementation before selecting a vendor or solution. This includes understanding what data you need to collect and analyze, how you’ll use the data to make informed decisions, and what features are necessary for your specific use case.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โœˆ๏ธ Find a Captain to lead the project: Choosing the right project lead is crucial for the success of any DCIM implementation. Look for someone who has a deep understanding of your organization’s needs and goals, as well as the technical expertise to lead the implementation and manage the ongoing maintenance and support of the solution.

By keeping these key points in mind, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right DCIM solution and successfully implement it in your organization.

Data Migration: The Final Frontier

As you search for the right DCIM vendor, it’s important to consider how easy it will be to migrate your data to a new system. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

  • ๐Ÿ”— ODBC database imports: Check if the vendor supports ODBC database imports, which can simplify the migration process by allowing you to import data from a variety of sources.
  • ๐Ÿค Integrations with trusted sources: Look for a vendor that offers integrations with trusted sources, such as Service Now. These integrations can help ensure data accuracy and streamline the migration process.
  • ๐ŸŒ Web Services APIs: Make sure the vendor offers Web Services APIs, such as REST or SOAP, which can provide a standardized way to access and transfer data between systems.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Spreadsheet and diagram imports: Check if the vendor supports importing data from spreadsheets and diagrams, which can be useful for migrating data that is not stored in a database.

Before embarking on your data migration mission, it’s important to evaluate your organization’s data sets to determine which information is crucial for the transition. For example, netTerrain DCIM offers an Integration toolkit, built-in REST API connectors, a spreadsheet template, and the ability to import Google Earth and Visio diagrams.

Graphical Networks has experience in migrating from other DCIM solutions, so feel free to schedule a meeting with one of our Sales Reps to learn more about how we can help with your data migration needs.

Set Your Phasers to Fun

Implementing a new documentation tool can be an exciting and fun experience, but it’s important to ensure that your existing data can be migrated and imported without losing valuable information. Here are some tips to help you make the transition as smooth as possible:

  • ๐Ÿ–– Investigate like Spock: When selecting a documentation tool, it’s important to thoroughly investigate its data migration capabilities. Look for a vendor that offers robust migration tools and support, and ask for references from other customers who have successfully migrated to the new tool.
  • ๐Ÿง… Peel back the layers: Don’t take data migration claims at face value. Ask the vendor to demonstrate how the migration process works, and ask for documentation outlining the steps involved. This will help ensure that there are no surprises or hidden costs during the migration process.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Uncover the true cost and ease of migration: Make sure you have a clear understanding of the total cost and effort involved in migrating your data to the new tool. This includes not only the cost of the tool itself, but also any additional costs such as training or consulting fees. Additionally, consider the ease of use of the tool and whether it will require significant resources to configure and customize.

By following these tips, you’ll be better equipped to set your phasers to fun and successfully implement a new documentation tool while ensuring that your existing data is migrated accurately and efficiently.

Happy DCIM hunting, and may the force (oops, wrong franchiseโ€ฆ): live long and prosper!

About Fred Koh

As a seasoned sales executive, Fred Koh serves as Director of Sales and is responsible for Graphical Networks sales and channel partner program, marketing strategy, and operations.