TALKING

Systematically evaluating which data may seem low priority is necessary to free up valuable space that drains IT budget .

especially when juggling cloud storage / compute operations . However , even incremental optimisations can eliminate data centre inefficiencies .

Integrate cloud into your data centre . Migrating data to the cloud has become fast and highly automated while bringing immediate benefits to the data centre . Unlimited scalability , cost-efficiency , security and Disaster Recovery are common reasons for supplementing on-premises infrastructure by extending the data centre upward . Accessibility for collaborative multi-user environments and file-sharing increase usability , mobility of an organisation ’ s data and bring convenience and automation into the mix making cloud a highly flexible asset .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Jack has more than 30 years of experience delivering complex IT solutions to companies big and small , with the last 15 years spent in the data storage industry . During his tenure at EMC , Jack helped to develop Centrea into one of the highest quality products in the EMC portfolio . Jack co-founded Datadobi and has helped build it to a highly respected company focusing on unstructured data management .

Don ’ t underestimate technology refreshes . Automate where possible . ‘ Tech refreshes ’ are often under-utilised or overdue in many resource-strained data centres yet are the key to maintaining a most efficient , cost-effective , time saving environment for IT personnel . Regularly updating key elements of an organisation ’ s IT infrastructure can maximise system performance and productivity , boost system functionality and scalability , increase energy efficiency

and free up IT staff ’ s time to focus on the more mission critical operations while also providing a higher level of services to both internal and external stakeholders .

Quit ignoring your ROT data . Like most of us , with constantly busy schedules IT teams can tend to put off ‘ cleaning out the closet ’. Many data centres are still stuffed full of unorganised ROT ( redundant , obsolete , or trivial ) data . Moreover , clinging to ROT data out of convenience or fear of losing information which may no longer have business or legal value is a highly inefficient use of an organisation ’ s scarce data storage resources . It can create excess cost , hinder compliance regulation and prevent employees from quickly accessing information . Likewise , it can comprise a significant percentage of the total data stored . Systematically evaluating which data may seem low priority is necessary to free up valuable space that drains IT budget .

Maximising scarce data storage resources amid increasing demands on IT budgets can often feel like an overwhelming challenge to enterprise CIOs and IT leaders . Personnel have to ascertain the right solution to link the many disparate parts of the modern data centre puzzle together and it requires a cohesive , integrated action plan . A well-balanced , iteratively flexible yet battle-hardened data management solution can truly harness the power of unstructured data and enable IT leaders to deliver tangible , forward-thinking business and organisational benefits while operating within budget constraints in 2022 and beyond . p

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