Server sprawl is a common problem facing most midsized to large organizations.  Often these organizations deploy new applications and services on new server platforms resulting in server sprawl.  Initially this does not appear to be a problem, since small-scale server deployment for departmental or a branch office to support new applications seems relatively inexpensive, but it often equates to a new server for each new application.  As this is repeated again and again the resultant impact is too many servers costing too much money for hardware, software, and operational staff to operate, maintain, and administer.  Many businesses also implement a hardware-replacement policy that states all hardware must be refreshed every three to five years.  Added servers multiply these costs, and server sprawl escalates them.  Less obvious increased costs include infrastructure costs such as electrical, cooling, facility space and networking.

The cure to server sprawl is obtained through server consolidation analysis, design, and implementation.  The process begins with a business case analysis in which the current server environment is examined and analyzed and associated costs discovered through automated discovery tools, data collection and analysis, interviews, discussions, and meetings with the organization.  Key success factors in this process include representation and participation from organizational and departmental components supporting and utilizing the current servers and overall confidentiality, integrity, availability, and continuity of operations planning requirements.  Next, industry best practices and physical, logical, and rationalization/virtualization consolidation strategies are applied and widely accepted by commercial and Government organizations.  Another key success factor includes taking a proactive risk management/risk mitigation approach from the project start.

A successful server consolidation project will provide substantial qualitative and quantitative benefits to include:

 Reduced administration and management staffing costs
 High availability and reliability of common services
 Reduced facility usage requirements
 Reduction in the duplication of efforts across organizational and departmental components

This results in a low risk/high return investment for the business organization with reduced costs associated with hardware, software, staffing, and facilities.  If you are ready to take back control of your servers, contact CEXEC today!