Introducing infrastructure for small it spaces

David O’Coimin

Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric introduces InfraStruxure for Small IT Spaces

Schneider Electric 2- ITB – Dave Johnson – May 3rd 2012

Solution Overview

Today’s Small IT Environment

Recognizing opportunities in the Small IT Space

Summary


Changes affecting the IT environments

Virtualization

NETWORK

Consolidation Co-Location Cloud Adoption

UsersData to access

Ways to access itPlaces to access it

Connectivity

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Today’s technological reality


Trends in the workforce

TRENDS CREATE CHALLENGES IN IT SPACES

• More connected devices

• User expectation of connectivity EVERYWHERE

• Remote workers (home, business travelers)

• BYOD (bring your own device)

In light of all the challenges that constantly change the way companies deploy equipment, they must offer

robust and available networks and VPN to allow users to connect.

http://entertowinatrip.amateurtraveler.com/files/2011/02/boingo-500x254.jpg


On Premise Equipment

Small Space to Data Center ratio is 43:1 Small Space to Data Center Sq Ft ratio is 2:1

Dynamics of the Server Room

On-premise IT footprint gets smaller but doesn’t go away


Dynamics of the Network Closet

Many businesses have robust strategies in the data center while network closets and small IT rooms are often neglected.

The forgotten space is becoming a critical space.


Dynamics of Branch Offices

Smaller, remote, or branch offices have inadequate or no dedicated IT space

Standard IT equipment may not meet core needs


IT managers struggle to do more with less space, money and time.

Real IT challenges

Lack of dedicated space for IT equipment

Leveraging Cloud Computing

Unplanned growth and change of IT

needs

Lack of onsite technical

resources

Lack of budget/funding for

physical infrastructure

Subpar operating conditions for IT

equipment

Leveraging virtualization and

consolidation opportunities


Solution Overview



Summary


1. Remote power management

The strip should have the ability to cycle power, shed load and sequence outlet power via a remote network interface or programmed control.

Power Distribution Units that can be monitored and controlled remotely through a network connection

How does this solve a problem?:

• This can drastically reduce downtime from hung servers and network devices which simple need to be power cycled. It can also save a trip to the closet (whether its down the hall or down the street)

• Provides energy usage information down to the outlet level, showing customers data that can help drive decisions and planning.


2. Protect against power failures

UPSs come in all shapes, sizes and runtimes and it is important to size them according to the equipment you are looking to protect.

Most UPSs will also protect against power problems like surges and spikes.

UPS systems can protect critical equipment from power problems, and maintain availability during scheduled and unscheduled power outages


An average business experiences 214 minutes of power loss every year. Outages could mean lost data, configurations or more importantly revenue.


3. Monitor environmental conditions

Simple devices that capture these characteristics can be set up and integrated into your IT system so that even if you are not onsite, you can know what the situation is.

Install probes to capture temperature, humidity and even sensors for door entry, motion, smoke, leaks


• Closets and Small rooms are typically left alone unless there is a problem, so often customers don’t know what’s happening until it already happened. Knowing about environmental issues early can protect equipment and reduce damage from everyday risks like water leaks.

• Monitoring equipment can identify new opportunities for selling cooling equipment, surveillance equipment and co-location / cloud moves.


4. Centrally manage multiple sites

Find a vendor neutral system that allows for multi-site management, blanket upgrades and that can relay proactive notifications to the right people.

Use a central management system to collect data from customer sites and build a managed service offer that includes infrastructure

components.


• For customers: logging into each device/site is extremely time consuming and can be simplified with a centralized dashboard.

• For partners: one screen to look at that can provide real time data and pro-active alerts about problems onsite that you can resolve for customers and even sell as a managed service.


5. Deploy scalable power & management

A scalable solution will allow the customer to pay as they grow, rather than size a solution with the maximum load/growth in mind.

Sell scalable systems that allow you to rapidly increase capacity for power requirements and management in the future for your customer


• IT needs change rapidly and can grow quickly – especially today. Scalable systems provide opportunities for constant contact with the customer.

• Rightsizing, not supersizing, keeps both capex and opex down for the customer.


6. Take advantage of field upgrades

Some vendors offer field enhancements such as the ability to add remote management to a device after it has already been installed.

Recognize and make use of field upgradable or buy-up enhancements to products the customer already owns.


• Revenue opportunity between upgrade cycles: enhancing what the customer already owns while planning/budgeting for a future upgrade

• Example: Almost every APC UPS in the network and server room space is field upgradeable with the ability to add remote management after installation.


7. Talk about monitoring energy usage

Some vendors even offer the ability to integrate with energy management platforms such as Cisco Energywise to monitor and optimize energy usage throughout an enterprise

Deploy equipment that allows customers to monitor energy usage, even if they are not being asked to report it yet.


• Being green is on everyone’s mind. Providing this information for your customers will highlight products and components that can be upgraded – providing a roadmap of future sales for you.

• Starting to monitor energy helps make decisions on how customers can consolidate equipment, where to install new items, etc.


8. Offer to deploy pre-installed equipment

Some vendors sell pre-configured IT solutions to be shipped directly to the customer site, ready to simply plug-in and turn on.

Consider selling pre-configured solutions to your customers, easing the installation and configuration process for an additional service charge.


• This can drastically reduce installation time and complication. When this work is done before hand, it can be tested and validated. This is a service you can SELL to your customers.

• Easier way of rolling out IT equipment to branch offices and remote sites.


9. Don’t rely on dedicated IT spaces

Vendors offer sound-proofed enclosures for putting equipment into the office space outside of closets and rooms. These often have ventilation built in and can blend into office type environments.

Customers can move IT equipment out of a poor space, especially if it was never designed for equipment in the first place.


• This provides the opportunity to sell a server room solution, even if there is no server room. Customers need to deploy equipment even in small offices or buildings with no IT space.


10. Offer to monitor everything

Monitoring sites, equipment, power and environmental conditions can help make key decisions, as well as provide evidence needed to get project funding

If a piece of equipment allows for remote monitoring, use it. If customers allow it, it can provide countless sales opportunities


• Know about power problems, UPS batteries that need replacement, faulty equipment, hot rooms and environmental threats before the customer does.

• Knowledge is power and will help you be proactive, rather than reactive to your customers needs.


Solution Overview



Summary


Targeted Environment

InfraStruxure solutions from small office to extra large datacenter

SmallOffice

Remote Office

Large-Extra Large Data Center

Server Room Small-Medium Data Center

Network ClosetBranch Office


Racks & Cable management

Management

Cooling & Ventilation Power

protection

Physical security

Power distributionServices

Business Overview 25 | Rev 1

We are bringing our best of breed components together in an

intelligent way to address today’s challenges


ISX for small IT is a simple, adaptable and manageable architecture for environments outside the datacenter, such as server rooms and network closets. The architecture includes:

Customer Education

Design Tools

Solution Documentation


Design ToolsCustomer Education Solution Documentation

Business-Wise, Future-Driven™

Advertisements, Events, White Papers, Webinars



Application-based SelectorFor Customers

Small IT Solution DesignerFor Partners



Reference DesignsFor Partners

Solution GuidesFor Customers


We offer the most manageable, most adaptable physical infrastructure for small IT environments, while at the same time keeping it as simple as possible to configure, order and install.


Simple, Adaptable, Manageable

Is Simple• Standardized solution designs for today’s challenges

• Free white papers that address typical IT applications

• Product and solution selectors available on the web

• Design tools to help our certified partners create

solutions



Is Adaptable

• Plug and play components that come together easily

• Racks & enclosures in different heights, widths and depths

• UPS systems that can be used in rack or tower format

• Portable cooling systems that allow maximum flexibility

• Scalable architecture that allows for future growth



Is Manageable

• Remote monitoring and control of power systems

• Integrated environmental monitoring

• Proactive maintenance and alert notifications

• Centralized management for multiple devices and sites


Solution Overview

Strategy Update


Summary


SUMMARY:

• The Small IT Environment is changing and becoming more critical than ever before

• Our customers face new challenges as IT deployment methods change and the need for availability increases

• We have developed infrastructure solutions for small IT spaces that are Simple, Adaptable, and Manageable

Schneider Electric is leading the way with solutions

tailored for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s growth

Introducing infrastructure for small it spaces

Technology

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