“We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” -Albert Einstein
What an all-encompassing and universal quote from Einstein. I’m sure that, were he alive today, he would suggest that a new way of thinking be applied to our IT problems. And that new way of thinking is system virtualization. System virtualization is ushering in a new form of IT management that is integrated, automated, efficient and reliable.
1. Integration
Integrated management brings all aspects of an IT operation – applications, middleware, database, operating system, virtual machine and storage – together under one umbrella, making the entire operation much easier to manage. It often brings all of this under one management application, allowing an IT manager to conduct all operations from a single command center.
2. Automation
With all these services running together, seamlessly integrated, wouldn’t it be easier if all these services communicated between one another with minimal input from an IT manager? System virtualization can do that. Automation allows an IT manager to increase optimization of an environment. For example, migration of a virtual machine to another server when the original host server goes down can become a completely automated action, allowing an IT manager to immediately focus on getting the original host server back up and running. The more automated your cloud environment is from the outset, the faster and easier it is to get that cloud environment up and running.
3. Reliability
When you virtualize your systems and all your applications, middleware, databases, etc. are integrated seamlessly and automatically, all the pieces of your IT operation will be significantly more reliable. In error instances, your systems will all communicate with each other to locate the error within the stack and isolate it, then make any migrations necessary, then communicate the error to your central cloud service. All this reliability means increased up time and less time spent dealing with downed servers.
4. Efficiency
Integration, automation and reliability all come together to actualize the most significant way of thinking about system virtualization. Efficiency. And efficiency of operation translates to efficiency of spending. Reduced numbers of server stacks save you money on space, operating costs, and component overhead. Increased reliability saves you money on manpower and keeps IT staff focused on improving your operation. Running your operation from a cloud service means you only have to pay for the amount of storage space you actually need, meaning no wasted space on the physical servers you own.
CEOs and CFOs are always asking their teams to think outside the box when it comes to saving money, and the best way an IT professional can make a huge impact on a company’s bottom line is by thinking differently about how IT operations are approached. An efficient, reliable IT approach is always going to be a good IT approach, because it saves a company time and money. Looking at your IT operation from a different perspective takes a level headed, objective approach that shouldn’t be rushed into, but with the right virtualization platform, your IT operation can reach new levels of success.
Photo Credit: Bruce Crasting