Using Sun Fire Servers During a Transition to Cloud Computing

Information technology (IT) configurations play a crucial role in the success of a business, not only because most businesses would fail if their IT systems went away, but also because businesses that invest too much into their IT configurations will be unable to generate a profit. Four emerging trends in the IT field target cost cutting and an increase in efficiency: virtualization, standards-based architectures, demands for high-speed connectivity, and cloud computing. The trend that not only maximizes efficiency and flexibility but also helps companies reduce hardware costs is cloud computing. It is becoming more and more common for business owners to ask IT professionals for help in implementing a cloud computing configuration, but it takes multiple years to establish a proper configuration.

In the meantime, companies can use Sun Fire servers to facilitate the transition to a virtualization or cloud computing arrangement. Sun Fire servers were released by Sun Microsystems back in 2001 and were built with the also newly released UltraSPARC III processor. As Sun grew the product line, these servers would be produced in both SPARC-based and x86-64 based forms. While new servers are no longer being produced, the capabilities offered by used Sun servers are in line with what one might find in a recently manufactured server from another brand. The added benefit of using used Sun servers to ease the transition to a cloud computing infrastructure is that they are less than half the cost of a new server.

The term "cloud computing" has been used several times in this article, but it has never been properly defined. A cloud computing infrastructure generally is identifiable by its:

    Flexible Costs - Operational costs are billed on a monthly/annually or other per-use basis.
    Elastic Scalability - It is much easier to increase or decrease the storage or processing capacity.
    Geographic and Hardware Independence - Depending on the type of service that is desired, applications and even hardware are located virtually, off-site.

Cloud services vary in terms of what capabilities are being outsourced. Typically cloud services are defined in one of three ways:

    Software as a Service (SaaS) - In this configuration, full programs are offered on a subscription or pay-per-use basis to multiple users over a shared environment. Companies can free up space in used Sun servers for crucial information by locating software on the cloud rather than on in-house servers.

    Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - In this arrangement, storage capacity, databases, and even servers like Sun Fire servers are located off-site, with companies paying to use or access them. Disaster recover and archiving services are also categorized as IaaS.

    Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Developers use this service when they need access to application development or a production environment, with buyers typically paying for processor and memory capacity.

A cloud computing infrastructure takes years to build, so it is best to work in steps. A company might start with software virtualization, operating rented programs on used Sun servers, before experimenting with an IaaS. By gradually experimenting with IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS when financial resources are available, a company can over time build an infrastructure that meets its IT needs.

IT Trends That Will Continue in the New Year

IT trends are known to change like the weather, but some of them stick around longer than others do. This year saw the development and extension of some important trends - from investing in used servers such as Dell PowerEdge refurbished hardware to increasing PC/mobile convergence - that show no signs of slowing down before 2013. In order to stay current on IT trends, one should become familiar with the trends below. These trends are going full force right now, and they probably will be for at least another year.

Dedicating IT Work to Projects. In years past, an IT department spent lots of time just keeping the department up and running. Programs were implemented and managed in house, which meant that employees performed things like systems maintenance and software upgrades. Today, cloud computing allows companies to implement web-based programs, which frees up IT staff to focus on projects for upgrading the IT system.

PC/Mobile Convergence. Gone are the days when employees sat at their desks from nine to five just to have computer access. Telecommuting, demands for family friendly work schedules, and business travel have caused companies to invest in PC/mobile convergence. Converging PCs and mobile devices improves productivity by making it possible to work at almost any location. The key to making the convergence economical is to invest in mobile features and minute plans that employees will actually use.

Buying Used Hardware. Sine the 2008 financial crisis, the market for used servers and other types of pre-owned hardware has grown steadily. Purchasing top of the line equipment such as Dell PowerEdge refurbished servers has some obvious benefits: the hardware will be useful for years; it can be purchased for over fifty percent off the original price, and it is reconditioned to look and perform like new. If new hardware is needed, consider saving money by buying it in pre-owned condition.

Big Data. The term big data refers to mixing the structured data that a company uses for its reports with free, unstructured data such as social media streams and government statistics. Combining these forms of data can provide companies with new sales and marketing insights, and helps challenge long held assumptions about the sales territory that may be outdated. Big data can also result in informative feedback from customers about the products of competitors.

Cloud Computing. Cloud computing has steadily grown in popularity since the advent of Software as a Service (SaaS), and it shows no signs of stopping. Many companies now outsource several crucial IT needs to SaaS providers, and profit from doing so. The applications run more smoothly; the customer avoids the cost of system maintenance and software upgrades; and the applications can be accessed remotely. In the coming year, the trend toward cloud computing figures to grow even more than it did in 2012.

Conclusion

This year saw the development and proliferation of some big IT trends that will continue into the coming year. If a company has not investigated the benefits of adopting these trends, the end of the year - when old budgets are phasing out, and new ones are being planned - is a good time to do it. For many companies, dedicating more IT work to projects, implementing PC/mobile convergence, buying used servers such as Dell PowerEdge refurbished servers, adopting the big data approach to information gathering, and using cloud computing are increasing productivity and reducing IT costs.

Investing in used servers such as Dell PowerEdge refurbished servers is a 2012 technology trend that will continue in the upcoming New Year.

Buying Used IBM Servers and Other Ways to Stretch the IT Budget

Most IT departments have several cost cutting targets, such as hardware expenditures, software expenditures, staff, and applications. A company has to be careful how it cuts money from these areas, though, or it could end up with a bigger problem than an oversized IT budget, like an IT department that does not provide enough support. Listed below are some good ways to cut IT costs without compromising the IT system,
Buy Used Hardware. Since the financial crisis of 2008, the used hardware market has been going strong. Companies can receive a discount of 50 percent or more on used IBM servers and other top brands of used servers that have been reconditioned to look and perform like new. Reconditioned hardware is also available with a lifetime warranty, which can make it an even better purchase than new hardware in terms of warranty length.
Implement Energy Saving Methods. There are several ways to save money by being more energy efficient, such as: having personnel power off unused servers, turn off lights in rooms that are not in use, and implementing power saving solutions for desktops (e.g. verdiem surveyor), to name just a few. The green movement keeps pushing forward, and energy efficiency is one of its main concerns. If a company has yet to adopt a green initiative, now might be a good time to do it.
Minimize Mobile Technology investments. PC/mobile convergence is a hot trend at many companies right now, but it pays to savvy about the terms of the convergence. Research shows that only twenty-five percent of employees use 75 percent or more of the minutes on their company provided mobile plan, and 50 percent of workers have mobile services that they never use. Before buying services for 100 new iPhones or BlackBerrys, one should perform a study of how many minutes and services employees really need.
Liquidate Old Hardware. The easiest way to mitigate the cost of new hardware is to liquidate old hardware. Even if used servers do not have resale value - although used IBM servers and other top brand servers commonly do - sell them for the metals they contain. A buyer and seller of used hardware that performs asset disposition can appraise the options for liquidating old hardware.
Use Staff Instead of Consultants. Using the expertise of a company's staff is less expensive than hiring a consultant. If staff members have mentioned cost-cutting opportunities for the IT department, pay attention to what they say instead of hiring a consultant who will bill multiple hours just to arrive at the understanding of the opportunities that staff members already have. The employees are already being paid, so get as much value out of them as possible.
Use Contractors for Temporary Workloads. If there is a temporary workload, do not hire an employee to handle it hoping that by the time workload is complete the person will have more work to do. Plenty of talented people have turned to contracting after being laid off. Take advantage of their willingness to take temporary jobs until the company's workload justifies hiring a full-timer.
Conclusion
There are several ways to cut IT costs without jeopardizing the effectiveness of the IT system. If a company needs to cut costs, consider implementing the measures above. Simple practices such as buying used IBM servers - or any other brand of used servers - practicing energy efficiency, and using staff to solve problems instead of hiring a consultant can save a significant amount of money annually.