A competitive advantage

The advantages of virtualisation are compelling. Whether it is implemented on an internal network or in conjunction with an outsourced solution, the savings and improvements it offers remain similar, although different in size or scope.

Firstly, virtualisation simplifies and reduces the need for network resources. It can be used to consolidate servers or even replace whole storage networks with offsite storage in a data centre. It can be used to deploy standard, remotely managed software images, eliminating the need for high-power desktops running installed software with multiple licences.

Secondly, virtualisation removes a huge burden from IT administrators and staff. It enables remote management and help-desk support.

Thirdly, correctly implemented virtualisation can streamline business processes, workflow and service delivery. This results in better productivity, communication, collaboration and, most importantly, better service to customers.

In a nutshell, the business can shift from an IT approach that is capital-expense-intensive to one that is based on predictable operational expenses. Simultaneously, skilled and well-paid staff can be reassigned to core activities, rather than being distracted with daily IT admin duties. Virtualisation also builds a flexible foundation for future growth and added value for the business. It can greatly enhance the efficiency of business processes and deliver a significant competitive advantage.

On this basis alone, it is hard to find any reason why a company would not immediately deploy a virtualised solution, as many have already.

However, in reality, many businesses have hesitated to deploy virtual solutions.

In reality, many businesses have hesitated to deploy virtual solutions.

Andrea Lodolo is chief technical officer of CA Southern Africa.

There is the concern that deployment will involve major challenges in terms of integration and compatibility. Nearly all businesses make use of in-house or other legacy software that might be difficult to integrate or impossible to replace. Security is another major concern.

These obstacles can be overcome and the proof of this is the large and rapidly expanding number of major international organisations that are already using virtualisation, as are their counterparts in the local market.

Software, service providers and service level agreements are not able to provide complete solutions to these objections. A virtualised solution is very much the same as an internal network and it is subject to the same challenges. Without the right IT management solution, it will have the same problems and might fail to deliver real results. This management needs to be in place before, during and after virtualisation of any type is deployed.

When planning the solution, a company needs to assess: what hardware resources are in use; what software is being used and how frequently; what the critical applications are that are needed to support business processes; and what the various levels of risk are that are associated with those applications and the data they consume.

A company is not in a position to plan for a deployment unless it has very detailed knowledge of what its assets are and which of those are critical for its business.

During deployment, IT management solutions make it possible to migrate data and applications smoothly, reliably and almost transparently. This avoids problems with corrupted data and costly downtime.

Any major changes to network systems carry the risk of downtime, and the possible losses involved might outweigh years of cost savings that can follow. Obviously, corrupted storage is a disaster, which should never be taken lightly.

After deployment, in a live production environment, IT management solutions mean the network is running securely and efficiently, with accurate reporting that can provide measurable results and immediate notifications of any operational issues or security breaches.

This monitoring is important in two areas: the company needs to know that it is getting results equal to its expectations, and it also needs to check the service it is getting from any service providers involved in running the solution.

While virtualisation is not a simple process, and the issues involved in implementing it must not be underestimated, the results can be very impressive. But these results are only assured if there is analysis, planning and ongoing monitoring, just as there would be on an internal network.

It is a new and better way of doing things, but as with any IT solution, it must be monitored, reported and managed if it is to achieve the results a company hopes to attain.

Neither the existing network platform nor the virtualised solution deployed on it will typically have the service management features that can do the IT management completely.

Obviously, managing a virtual machine is not that different from managing physical hardware. Where it can be different is that there are often greater levels of complexity in managing a virtualised solution and only advanced IT management software can do this effectively.

If that is catered for, however, virtualisation brings significant advantages.