Back in the 80s, I would read about the future of computers and software and the key point was efficiency and speed. Efficiency would be realized with fewer people working in administration as a result of digitization. Speed was linked to having all the data in front of you so you make better decisions faster.
Unfortunately, the reality of this vision has not yet been fulfilled. While writing this blog, I have 7 different apps running to provide an overview of my calendar, messages, notes, and work. The amount of data and systems that have emerged in the last 20 years have challenged the benefits of efficiency and speed.
The same challenge exists in the Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) space: The data center operator has multiple software platforms, all providing different data and views of the IT equipment, power and cooling equipment, building environment, and people management.
If data is the new oil, then like oil, its value comes when it is in the right place, the right amount, and the right format.
Today’s challenge: Too much information!
The challenge is clear: there’s an overload of information. But integrating software and data makes the problem manageable and I want to highlight what I see as the top 3 benefits for setting up integrations:
- Enhanced Decision Making
When software products are integrated, they share data in real-time, ensuring that all systems are up to date with the latest information. This consistency is vital for making informed decisions. Accurate data across platforms helps to maintain a single source of truth. Users benefit from a more cohesive experience when software products are integrated. They can access all necessary tools and information from a single interface, reducing the learning curve and increasing user satisfaction. - Improved Efficiency and Productivity
Integrations eliminate the need for manual data entry and this helps to reduce the risk of errors. When systems communicate directly, data flows smoothly from one application to another, saving time and allowing teams to focus on more strategic tasks. For instance, integrating EcoStruxure IT™ with other enterprise systems can streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. - Boosted cost savings
By automating processes and reducing the need for manual intervention, integrations can lead to significant cost savings. They minimize the need for additional resources and reduce operational costs. For instance, integrating EcoStruxure IT with financial systems can automate billing and invoicing, leading to more efficient financial management.
The EcoStruxure IT focus on DCIM integrations
The most difficult part of creating an integration is answering the question: “What do I need to know?” The software work is manageable in most cases but knowing which key insights are needed on your dashboard requires consideration and knowledge and must be linked to business goals. To help our EcoStruxure IT customers, we are focused on improving our DCIM integrations. This is done in 2 ways:
- Out-of-the-box dashboards: All products of the EcoStruxure IT portfolio are working on enhanced standard dashboards. We have been in the DCIM space for decades and know what most of our customers are looking for and we supply it. For the rest, we are adding the ability for customizable dashboards in our offers.
- Improving our public APIs for all offers: This is the foundation for any integration. APIs are the interphase that allows for software systems to communicate. The data must be available for other systems to consume. Data Center Expert has updated APIs in the 8.1 release, IT Expert is building better alarm APIs in early 2025, and IT Advisor will release public APIs in 2025 as well.
I am hopeful the vision from the 80s is becoming a reality and we will see improvements in efficiency and speed in the coming years. Data generation will continue to increase and so will our process to gain value from it.
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