In the past, it was standard practice to have a dedicated physical server for each major function in a business’s network to avoid the need for components to compete for resources.
However, this has led to considerable server sprawl over the years and left many companies with underutilized servers, costing them a lot of money.
The solution to this problem is server consolidation, which numerous businesses have been exploring to find new efficiencies and cost savings. Server consolidation entails reducing the number of servers a business uses by combining various applications and services onto fewer servers, boosting performance and reducing costs.
Multiple approaches to server consolidation can be used depending on the business’s needs and goals. One method is eliminating legacy hardware and virtualizing the servers, then running everything in a newer, more powerful physical server.
Another good option is transferring some workloads and files to cloud servers. SaaS can help businesses take pressure off their servers by using on-premises business applications instead.
Reasons To Consider Server Consolidation
Here are some signs it is time to explore consolidating servers.
You Have Multiple Servers That Are Running Well Below Their Capacity
If you have numerous servers running at 10% to 15% of their capacity, there is a good chance you are incurring unnecessary costs. Consolidating servers will allow you to maximize resource efficiency.
Optimizing workloads means that servers will provide much faster response times. This can also help businesses avoid costly downtime and potential lost business.
You Are Struggling To Manage Your Servers
As businesses accumulate more servers, it can become increasingly difficult to manage all of them. Switching to a few standardized servers can make it much easier to manage systems. In addition, modern servers use intuitive dashboards that make it easy to keep track of the status of the entire IT system as a whole.
Your Business Needs To Reduce Costs
Server consolidation can enable businesses to save money in terms of hardware and operational costs. Most businesses will experience operational cost savings almost immediately after consolidation.
This includes reduced costs associated with power consumption and ongoing hardware maintenance, and it also allows businesses to free up the space once occupied by extra servers for other purposes.
Your IT Team Is Overstretched
If your IT team is juggling too many tasks, server consolidation could help take some of the pressure off these valuable employees. With fewer machines to look after, they will have more time to devote to the day-to-day tasks that need their attention and expertise.
Your Company Wants To Be More Eco-Friendly
According to a survey by the National Retail Federation and IBM, 70% of customers in North America say it is important to them that the companies they work with are eco-friendly and use sustainable practices (1).
Server consolidation is an excellent choice for businesses that wish to reduce their carbon footprint, and the reduced energy costs this brings is another important benefit.
Your Business Wants To Improve Its Cybersecurity
When a business has fewer servers, it means there is a much smaller attack surface that cybercriminals can take advantage of. This also makes it easier for businesses to keep their valuable data safe and implement robust security measures.
What Is Involved In Server Consolidation?
Below is a brief overview of the preparation steps for server consolidation.
Assess The Current Infrastructure
First, businesses should carry out an inventory of all servers, data, and applications to identify which ones can be consolidated and which should remain separate.
Devise a Strategy For Consolidation
Determine the best approach to consolidation. For example, is consolidating multiple servers onto a single physical server a good path forward, or would it better serve the business’s needs to adopt a hybrid approach combining physical consolidation with virtualization?
Determine Which Resources Will Be Needed
Although consolidating servers is an endeavor that will ultimately optimize resource utilization, the new environment will need to have enough resources to support all of its workloads and applications. This might include hardware resources such as memory, CPU, and network bandwidth.
Carry Out Migration
Finally, it will be necessary to migrate all the data and applications to their new environment. Following a detailed plan that includes the steps required, the responsibilities of various parties involved in the process, and the expected timelines are helpful.
Learn More About Server Consolidation from Advantage Technology
Staying ahead of the curve as technology evolves can give businesses a significant competitive edge. Server consolidation is a strategic IT effort that can lead to cost savings, greater productivity, and resource optimization.
If you are looking to consolidate your servers or you are unsure whether it is the right step forward for your business, the professionals at Advantage Technology can provide expert guidance. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
