Industry Spotlight: DCIM for Healthcare & Hospitals
By Fred Koh - February 20, 2023As a data center manager in healthcare, you certainly face unique IT challenges that require specialized solutions — hats off to you! From regulatory compliance to uptime and critical patient data, the stakes are high. Not to mention the explosion in reliance upon technology that the recent pandemic helped bring about — from telehealth to…
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The Power of IT Documentation for Network Specialists
By Fred Koh - February 8, 2023As a network documentation specialist, you know that keeping track of all the details of an organization’s network infrastructure is no small feat. From maintaining current network diagrams to inventory and configuration information, there’s a lot to keep track of. And let’s face it, trying to remember which switch is connected to what, where that…
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Here’s Why Most Network Engineers Still Use Visio/Spreadsheets
By Fred Koh - November 18, 2022If you’re stuck still using Visio, spreadsheets, or a combination of the two for your network documentation, you’re not alone. I talk to network engineers from a variety of organizations every day, and I’ve learned this: most network folks are stuck using Visio and spreadsheets for documentation…despite the abundance of tools on the market and…
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Buyer, Beware: DCIM Pricing Add-Ons
By Fred Koh - November 10, 2022Do you need data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software? Before you select a vendor and solution, proceed with caution: when it comes to what you need and the pricing structure you agree to, make sure your i’s are dotted. Why? DCIM software is priced differently…depending on the vendor. Afterall, most software vendors are motivated to…
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Should You Buy Perpetual DCIM or Subscription DCIM?
By Fred Koh - November 2, 2022Do you need data center infrastructure management software (DCIM) to solve headaches in your data center? If so, read this. We make netTerrain — a data center and network documentation platform that documents everything from your data center rooms, rack capacity, assets, cable connections, and managing power — and we offer both annual subscription and…
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Need Data Center Diagrams? How to Start
By Fred Koh - October 28, 2022If you’re reading this, you probably need data center diagrams. If that’s the case, any of the following could apply to you: You’re the new data center manager…maybe you’re the network guy or gal that manages the network equipment for your organization…perhaps your company recently acquired a new entity and you don’t have any documentation…
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Buying DCIM Software 101
By Fred Koh - September 26, 2022Have you been tasked by your boss to look for Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software for your team? The reason could range from needing to replace free open source DCIM tools, migrate from an existing DCIM solution that’s not delivering ROI, or perhaps because you’ve finally outgrown your spreadsheets and Visio diagrams! and need…
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How Can I Import Data into Network Documentation Software?
By Fred Koh - September 23, 2022On a daily basis, I talk to many folks who need network documentation software. In many cases — certainly not all — these folks already have some kind of network documentation that they don’t want to lose. Whether it’s for network discovery and mapping, managing data center(s), or your fiber plant infrastructure (inside/outside plant), one…
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Industry Spotlight: Fiber Mapping Software for University & College Campuses
By Fred Koh - August 30, 2022Managing a university or college’s IT infrastructure and fiber is no easy feat: with campus expansions, satellite locations, and an endless parade of new technologies placing demands on your fiber (Harvard has a wired forest, believe it or not — and University of Florida is piloting connected vehicle infrastructure). We make netTerrain: IT documentation software…
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Industry Spotlight: DCIM & OSP Software for Cruise Operators
By Fred Koh - August 1, 2022Cruising today isn’t what it was 20 years ago – not even close! As reliance on technology has taken root across the globe, cruise operators have had to pivot to keep up with the demand. While that’s good news for IT job stability, it’s a lot of work for you and your team. It’s not…
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Industry Spotlight: Why Use Fiber Mapping Software for Your Theme Park?
By Fred Koh - July 26, 2022Over the years, we’ve sold our fiber mapping software (netTerrain OSP) to various teams that work with theme and amusement parks. We’ve heard great feedback from the teams that buy netTerrain to take control of their fiber: they’re very happy they bought it as, for them, it’s been a game changer. Theme parks have large…
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The One DCIM Feature That’s a Deal Breaker
By Fred Koh - July 20, 2022When it comes to Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM), we’ve often written articles in this blog about how features shouldn’t necessarily guide your decision making. Why? All the features in the world won’t make up for software that isn’t usable, updated frequently, or scalable. When it comes to features, what really matters is that the…
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