Ensuring Successful Virtualisation Projects

The growing size and complexity of enterprise dataplanning Vista roll-out then an audit of what you have
often leads to poor resource utilization andgot and whether your existing desktops need to be
administrative headaches. To achieve greaterupgraded will be invaluable. The alternative route is to
efficiencies, many organizations are turning to serverlook at desktop virtualisation.
consolidation initiatives that leverage blade servers orOver the past year we have delivered increasing
virtual infrastructures.numbers of virtualisation projects, and often
Performing an IT Auditcorrected projects where they have gone wrong -
The benefits of a successful server consolidationprior to our involvement.
project include the retirement of old or underutilizedAn IT Audit will provide you with cold hard facts and
hardware, savings in floor space and powernot "guesstimates" with best intent. Part of the
consumption and an overall reduction in total cost ofprocess is to initially complete a full server and
ownership. However, successful consolidationstorage audit to ensure an understanding of key
initiatives often require considerable upfront planning,elements such as:
time and effort.Server peak usage - What can your servers be
If you are planning for virtualisation, an audit of yourconsolidated to?
server and storage infrastructure will help you toAmount of data stored - How much data do you
optimise your environment and to choose the rightcurrently have on your network?
solutions.Daily power consumption - Will help with your ROI
Are you using all the software licences you areand deliver a greener environment
paying for? Could some staff be using lower spec,Data location - Where is your data located and how
lower cost packages of software? Ensuring you'reis it being accessed?
making the most of what you're already paying forAll of these will be accurate figures derived from
just makes sense.your network, created over a period of time ranging
Auditing your desktops also makes sense. If you'refrom two to four weeks.