One of the key areas in server purchase in recent times has been consolidation. Here’s a look at when is the right time for server consolidation:
n Whenever there is talk of capacity expansion, you think of new servers
n It is the same with scalability. If you need scalability, you need bigger servers
n In the outsourcing age, your IT staff budget is equivalent to the sales and marketing department staff budget
n The users in your organization are very IT savvy and buy their own hardware but managing it is your headache
n You are the proud owner of servers with different OS’
n Utilization rates for most servers are in single digits
n At the end of the month, you have to make a physical verification of all your servers
n Server maintenance is eroding the bottomline
n TCO is becoming an important topic for discussion with the management, apart from with vendors
n Non-tech-savvy users start talking about SLAs

And the benefits from server consolidation:
n Cost of staffing needs
n Cost of upgrades
n Reduction in administration costs
n Reduction in the costs of delivering service
n Scalability, allowing for prompt reaction to changing business needs
n Reduction in systems management costs including maintenance as well as improved systems management
n Improved availability of service (fewer or no outages, and shorter outages should they occur)
n Back-up and security issues
n Better utilization of floor space
n Lower electricity/power bills