Technology Refresh: Ten Recommendations for Better Efficiency

Technology refresh is no new idea. Most data centers have started replacing older, energy-draining computers with more efficient models. This has less to do with embracing the notion of green technology than it does with confronting the bottom line. It’s practical. For one thing, investing in new equipment reduces maintenance costs. For another, new computers are faster, more productive, and more functional than ever.

The most effective technology refresh strategies are indeed a part of a carefully planned and carefully executed energy-management initiative. The project involves more than just replacing older machines at arbitrary intervals. The following guidelines examine the criteria necessary for a successful technology refresh strategy.

1. Know the Utilization Rate of Your Equipment

2. Rid the Data Center of Orphaned Equipment

3. Follow Through on the Equipment-Retirement Plan

4. Know the Power Curves of Your Equipment

5. Correctly Determine the Amount of Available Space

6. Correctly Determine the Amount of Available Power

7. Consider the Cooling Infrastructure

8. Execute a Consolidation Plan and Use Virtualization

9. Take Advantage of Clouds: Both Private and Public

10. Thoroughly Cost-Justify the Project

Download the "Technology Refresh: Ten Recommendations for Better Efficiency" white paper to get detailed description of the ten steps for better planning technology refresh on your data center.