Efficiency Benefits and Challenges of Information Technology Lifecycle Management

Efficiency Benefits and Challenges of Information Technology Lifecycle Management

Efficiency Benefits and Challenges of Information Technology Lifecycle Management

We have seen it over and over again. Organisations invest in IT solutions spanning software and hardware, in the knowledge that eventually the assets will become outdated, or the business needs change so that new solutions are required. IT lifecycle management is a process by which organisations take an ongoing holistic approach to managing all assets to gain maximum benefit with the least disruption during technology transition.

An IT lifecycle management strategy can yield measurable benefits in power savings, space reduction, cooling efficiency, IT staff productivity, and innovation opportunities.

Professionals implementing lifecycle strategies should understand the benefits, while acknowledging the challenges of operationalising technology refresh plans. IT lifecycle strategies should also embrace the inherent environmental benefits included by considering the entire product lifecycle.

BENEFITS OF LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT

There are four primary benefits of optimising technology refresh lifecycles: power and space reduction; operational efficiencies; residual value return; and reduced risk.

Benefit 1: Performance, power, and space benefits

Compute

The most apparent benefits of a server technology refresh include:

  • Improved application performance, requiring fewer servers, due to associated higher clock speeds, higher memory densities, and increased core counts
  • Reduced heat generation and associated cooling costs from fewer servers
  • Reduced data centre space and electrical requirements from smaller cooling, electrical, and UPS capacity demanded by fewer servers
  • Lowered environmental impacts associated with fewer servers, reduced power demand, and less support equipment
  • Storage

Storage technology refreshes can yield performance, power, and space benefits, including:

  • Improved application performance and power effectiveness resulting from the adoption of flash arrays
  • Improved operational and power efficiency from a continuum of tape, hybrid and flash technology aligned with availability tiers and the data’s lifecycle stage
  • Reduced rack and floor space required, resulting from improved data reduction technology performance and higher density media

Network

Networks are estimated to consume about 2% of the data centre power envelope, and enterprise networks consume about 8% of the overall ICT power consumption. New Ethernet and Wi-Fi standards bring performance improvements in speed, security, and wireless density.

Having a proactive approach to network lifecycle management enables IT departments to selectively upgrade parts of their networks to take advantage of the new functionalities where they have the highest impact, while minimising disruption.

Edge

Edge servers and gateways benefit from the same performance, power, and space improvements as data centre servers and storage. As edge infrastructure is modernised, opportunities will emerge to address new use cases, consolidate, and increase usage of equipment at the edge.

There are other considerations when determining the optimal lifecycle of edge infrastructure:

  • Internet of Things: Components in the edge infrastructure are sometimes specific to the use cases they are serving and are driven by compute storage and network bandwidth requirements, sensor technology evolution, or updated networking standards.
  • Asset management: Edge infrastructure often presents unique asset management complexity associated with the logistics involved in physically reaching them.

Benefit 2: Operational and cost efficiency benefits

Performance improvements result in a smaller number of compute and storage systems to manage, monitor, patch, and support. Smaller infrastructures allow staff to spend less time managing the infrastructure and more time on innovation and development opportunities. IDC research found that a three-year refresh cycle for servers cut staff management time and costs by 59%.

Shorter refresh cycles also allow hardware-based improvements to be implemented into the infrastructure more quickly. Remote monitoring, measurement, and administration hardware, such as HPE Integrated Lights Out (iLO), dramatically simplify management and increase device security. Hardware-based security, such as HPE’s Silicon Root of Trust, provides a series of trusted handshakes from lowest level firmware to BIOS and software to ensure a known good state.

Benefit 3: Residual value return

Another benefit of shortening refresh cycles, particularly for servers, is that newer generation models may have residual value at their end of use. Savvy IT organisations have identified this as an additional opportunity associated with proactive server lifecycle management. Not only do organisations benefit from power, space, and cooling efficiencies, IT refreshes also maximise residual value at end of use.

Benefit 4: Technology risk mitigation

Because IT evolves quickly, any technology solution carries an inherent risk of becoming obsolete sooner than expected. Technology refresh cycles are also a good opportunity to reassess requirements and make any adjustments to the type and quantity of equipment being procured. Composable systems, system-on-chip technology, hyperconverged infrastructure, liquid-cooled systems, and edge compute devices have matured into general use. Each of these technologies provides an opportunity to drive innovation as well as power, cooling, space, and IT staff efficiencies.

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNOLOGIES DRIVING SHORTER REFRESH CYCLES

Many organisations have already adopted lifecycle management strategies with shorter refresh cycles, particularly where IT systems are directly linked to business outcomes. Use cases include research teams in fossil fuel exploration or high-tech manufacturing, computational sciences, and high-performance data analytics.

Several other technology trends have increased the movement to shorter refresh cycles including:

  • The widespread adoption of hybrid cloud architectures with containerised workloads “detached” from the infrastructure — removing the risk of application migration between hardware versions
  • The appeal of a step change in productivity granted by software-driven composable architectures
  • The ability to upgrade equipment sub-assemblies, making it easier for staff to consider refresh initiatives rather than riskier migration projects
  • Adoption of technologies with AI-driven self-diagnosis and healing capabilities which dramatically accelerate incident troubleshooting and resolution time
  • Data availability commitments and “live” upgrade capabilities, making it easier for staff to consider storage arrays and network element refresh initiatives.

 

BARRIERS TO ADOPTION OF SHORTER REFRESH CYCLES

Despite all these benefits, the reality is that server and storage infrastructure is not being refreshed at a rate that drives the highest efficiency benefits for organisations.

There are notable barriers to technology refreshes, including:

  • Technical debt in the application layer makes the asset migration complex, with many legacy applications having legacy architecture requirements for specific OS and hardware versions.
  • Depreciation policies for IT assets and software are often rooted in larger financial considerations governed by the industry the business operates in.
  • For CAPEX-budget-driven organisations, technology refresh tends to be prioritised once it has already become a major issue.
  • Organisations tend to be measured on application availability and do not have any incentive to reduce power consumption.

 

ASSET END-OF-USE STRATEGIES

A critical part of any lifecycle management strategy is the appropriate disposition of end-of-use assets being replaced. Technology refresh strategies need to consider three primary areas of risk:

  1. Security and compliance: Are the assets being disposed of following cybersecurity best practices and applicable government privacy regulations?
  2. Environmental: Is the equipment processed following labour, chemical substances, e-waste, and environmental regulations?
  3. Economic: Is the economic model transparent, scalable, and replicable?

At end of use, assets can either be recycled or upcycled, in whole or in parts. Upcycling opportunities for the system, or its parts, are correlated to the asset age, configuration, and associated secondary market demand. When IT assets cannot be refurbished and reused due to age or disrepair, they should be recycled in accordance with applicable regulations and best practices.

LIFECYCLE STRATEGY RECOMMENDATION

As part of a broader IT strategy, lifecycle management allows IT departments to be more intentional in the way they drive and execute their lifecycle decisions, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by performance improvements and newer technologies featured in current generation equipment.

Environmental impact

Organisational IT equipment has a significant environmental impact stemming from the materials, manufacturing, and logistics required to move the equipment to a customer, known as embodied impact.

To receive the greatest benefit from the embodied impact while minimising the use-phase impact, the total environmental impacts of a product lifecycle should be considered when evaluating refresh cycles and end-of-use options for assets.

Determining the optimal lifecycle

The industry is converging to a 2- to 4-year compute refresh cycle that balances power efficiency gains, environmental impact, and operational constraints. IT and operations technology departments should assume refreshing equipment after 2 years and reconsider the assumption at that time.

Considering the constant pressure on storage infrastructure associated with data growth, IT departments should monitor storage technology innovation developments and reassess every 3 to 4 years.

Operationalising the decision

Once an optimal lifecycle has been defined, it should be implemented with other business and operational processes. The refresh process should be determined up front and integrated with either the equipment acquisition process or the equipment disposal process.

Refresh options

  1. From the start: Defining asset lifecycle at the time of equipment acquisition allows IT departments to derive up-front economic benefit from the improved residual value of the equipment at the time of return.
  2. After the fact: Some organisations prefer an “after the fact” approach where assets due to be refreshed are systematically sold for upcycling or recycled if too old.
  3. As-a-service: The emergence of “as-a-service” models, such as HPE GreenLake, embed technology refresh cycles which include tools and metrics to evaluate equipment effectiveness, along with the necessary framework to evaluate optimal lifecycles and manage end-of-use operations with the least cost and environmental impacts.

 

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive IT lifecycle strategy that considers all phases of the lifecycle and incorporates business, technology, and environmental implications, will yield significant positive efficiency, cost, and environmental benefits. Organisations that seek input from technology partners, impacted internal organisations, and trusted advisors are best positioned to overcome common barriers to adoption. As the rate of technology improvement accelerates, effective IT infrastructures which include effective lifecycle management are a business imperative.

Contact us, as your IT partner, for the information and resources needed to develop and implement an effective lifecycle strategy tailored to your business.

Stop Threats Before They Compromise Your Business

Stop Threats Before They Compromise Your Business

Stop Threats Before They Compromise Your Business

As threats continue to evolve in sophistication, so must enterprise security practices. Organisations are relying on a layered approach to address the advanced tactics used during the attack continuum: before, during, and after an attack. Cisco Umbrella and Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints provide strong layers of defence to address this continuum.

Challenges of Protecting Endpoints

An estimated 70% of breaches start on endpoints – laptops, workstations, servers, and mobile devices¹. Organisations are often blind to malware attacks and the scope of a compromise. They have limited visibility into user and endpoint activity, and lack the context to see where malware came from, where it has been, and what it’s doing. They can’t detect what they can’t see.

%

57% of organisations say that mobile devices are one of the most challenging areas to defend2

%

56% of organisations say that user behaviour is one of the most challenging areas to defend

Effective Protection for Endpoints

Working at different yet complementary layers, Umbrella prevents connections to malicious destinations and command and control callbacks at the DNS and IP layers while AMP works at the file level to prevent the initial malware execution and track file behaviour over time. Together these solutions help organisations to protect against blended threats that use both email and web, and other more sophisticated techniques.

Prevent

AMP for Endpoints

  • Blocks attacks at initial inspection by monitoring files, memory, and behaviour
  • Uses sandbox (powered by ThreatGrid) to analyse unknown files

Umbrella

  • Blocks malicious Internet requests (domain, URL, & IP) before connections are ever made

Detect

AMP for Endpoints

  • Continuously analyses all file activity to detect malicious behaviour and retrospectively alert on net new threats

Umbrella

  • Learns where attacks are staged and detects attackers infrastructure in order to proactively block threats

Respond

AMP for Endpoints

  • Shows the full history and context of a compromise
  • Provides blocking of malware with a single click

Umbrella

  • Provides rich threat intelligence on domains, IPs, and file hashes so you can triage faster.

Cisco Umbrella

Umbrella is a cloud security platform that provides the first line of defence against threats on the internet for users on or off the corporate network. Umbrella delivers complete visibility into internet activity across all locations and endpoints, and can proactively block malicious requests before a connection is established.

Cisco AMP for Endpoints

Cisco AMP for Endpoints provides point-in-time protection against known malware files and uses continuous analysis and retrospective security to detect malware that evades initial inspection. This cloud-based service uses a combination of file signatures, file reputation, behavioural indicators, built-in sandboxing technology, and global threat intelligence provided by the Talos threat research group to strengthen front-line defences, analyse unknown files, and automatically block malware trying to enter the endpoint.

It’s Time to Simplify and Strengthen Your Cybersecurity

Cisco Umbrella and Cisco AMP for Endpoints together provide the first and last line of defence to help you prevent, detect and respond to attacks before damage can be done.

Contact us for more information
Which AI Tools Drive Meaningful Business Growth and Change?

Which AI Tools Drive Meaningful Business Growth and Change?

Which AI Tools Drive Meaningful Business Growth and Change?

AI is everywhere. One Harvard Business Review survey of 250 executives who are familiar with their companies’ use of cognitive technology revealed, “three-quarters of them believe that AI will substantially transform their companies within three years.”

That timeframe is important. Because change is a disruptive force, it’s best implemented incrementally. An immediate overhaul of an organisation’s systems and processes could grind things to a halt.

Considering joining the ranks of leaders who are leaning into AI to drive growth and change? See which of these AI use cases you might benefit from most and where you can start making small, meaningful changes.

What Exactly is AI?

“‘Artificial intelligence” is a broad term that refers to any type of computer software that engages in humanlike activities – including learning, planning, and problem-solving,” explains Business News Daily.

AI technologies share commonalities with the human mind, mirroring and surpassing some of our most innate qualities. Take data processing for instance. Though the human mind can manage diverse data points, we’re limited in the amount we can organise and analyse. AI isn’t. These softwares thrive off troves of data inputs, synthesising them into useful potential outcomes humans can use to influence their own decision-making.

These softwares thrive off troves of data inputs, synthesising them into useful potential outcomes humans can use to influence their own decision making.

Used in the right applications, AI can help us infer potential consequences of certain scenarios, so we take more informed action that aligns with our goals.

Where to Start

AI has come a long way in a short amount of time. From the pages of sci-fi novels to real-world applications, AI developments are becoming more essential in our life and work.

Here are three instances HBR recommends for businesses who are interested in AI adoption but want to ease in:

  • Process automation. Many of these are back-end, administrative tasks that produce data or utilise it. An example would include keeping your customer or client profiles updated with their most recent contact information.
  • Data insight and analysis. Pattern recognition is a hugely helpful skill, one AI does so well. Whether you’re trying to identify where a process is stalling out or see which stage of the buying journey a customer is at, cognitive insight tools can be immensely helpful.
  • Stakeholder engagement. Chatbots are one of the most common, widely used types of AI communication tools. They make it possible to respond to customers any time of day or night. Have you ever forgotten your password? You probably interacted with AI to help retrieve it. That’s the degree of ease and accessibility you may want to consider when thinking of using AI in your customer and employee-facing interactions.

 

Other Useful AI Business Applications

Artificial Intelligence tools have become so seamless and commonplace that many of us forget how integrated they already are, even as we rely on tools like voice-assisted technologies without thinking.

These five AI applications offer businesses a way to level up while offloading some of the work.

1. Machine learning

These algorithms help you contextualise large amounts of data so decision makers can take action with more confidence they’ll meet the intended outcome.

2. Cybersecurity

AI’s always-on, pattern recognition functions can alert IT teams to abnormal behaviours before they become costly breaches.

3. Customer relationships

These tools invite customers to interact with your business in more meaningful ways, by making certain product offers or recommending resources tailored to their specific situations.

4. Audience targeting

Data can help you shape your offerings and marketing collateral so that you’re more precisely targeting your audiences and meeting their needs more exactly.

5. Digital personal assistants

Two heads (or in this case, double the cognitive function) are better than one. Even if all your new AI tool did was help manage your email inbox, wouldn’t that be enough?

At its most fundamental level, AI is nothing more than programming. But the magic is in how it gets applied. Whether you want to catch a criminal in the act or streamline your workday so you can have the bandwidth to make higher-level decisions that advance your mission, these tools are a smart addition.

100% Centralised Cloud Management for Security, Networking, and Application Control

100% Centralised Cloud Management for Security, Networking, and Application Control

100% Centralised Cloud Management for Security, Networking, and Application Control

 

Transform your services for networking, physical infrastructure, building and facilities to create a digital workplace for both more efficient operations and robust digital customer experiences.

The Cisco Meraki MX are multifunctional security and SD-WAN enterprise appliances with a wide set of capabilities to address multiple use cases–from an all-in-one device. Organisations of all sizes and across all industries rely on the MX to deliver secure connectivity to hub locations or multi-cloud environments, as well as application quality of experience (QoE), through advanced analytics with machine learning.

Inside the Cisco Meraki MX

MX450 shown, features vary by model

Front of the Cisco Meraki MX

MX450 shown, features vary by model

Ironclad Security

The MX platform has an extensive suite of security features, including IDS/IPS, content filtering, web search filtering, anti-malware, geo-IP-based firewalling, IPsec VPN connectivity, and Cisco Advanced Malware Protection, while providing the performance required for modern, bandwidth-intensive networks

Organisation-level threat assessment with Meraki Security Centre

The MX is 100% cloud-managed, so installation and remote management is truly zero touch, making it ideal for distributed branches, campuses, and data centre locations. Natively integrated with a comprehensive suite of secure network and assurance capabilities, the MX eliminates the need for multiple appliances.

How the Cisco Meraki MX
makes your life easier

Learn more about the multifunctional network security and SD-WAN building blocks of a SASE architecture.

Download MX Datasheet

What’s Driving the Move to the Secure Access Service Edge

What’s Driving the Move to the Secure Access Service Edge

What’s Driving the Move to the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?

Digital business transformation and the shift to a more distributed workforce are driving the need for anywhere, anytime access to resources, wherever they may exist. These changes require networking and security to move to the cloud, where they can be delivered as a single converged service with flexible deployment and consumption models.

 Cisco is Driving the Revolution of Secure Access Everywhere

The shift toward a more distributed workforce is not new, but it has recently accelerated. While the principles of SASE have been forming for years, SASE is now in the forefront as remote access to applications and “work from anywhere” has become a top organisational priority. With this shift, the data centre is no longer the hub – the user is. To give them secure access to work resources and applications, users must now be treated as a “branch of one.”

With SASE, you can Accelerate Your Journey to the Cloud

Cisco’s SASE approach delivers simplicity, visibility, and efficiency. Organisations can build on what they already have by protecting on-premises and cloud investments with the flexibility to evolve the infrastructure in the future. As you transition services from on-premises to the cloud, you can enforce policies consistently across all environments.

Connect

Unleash your workforce by delivering a seamless connection to applications in any environment from any location.

Control

Simplify security, streamline policies, and increase protection with a multifunction cloud security service.

Converge

Unite security and networking through a flexible, integrated approach that meets multicloud demands at scale.

SASE vs. the Traditional VPN

Today’s workforce is outgrowing the traditional VPNs that previously supported remote work. With larger numbers of employees now either partially or fully remote, organisations must provide a reliable and secure means for employees to work from anywhere — both on- and off-network.

SASE is the scalable answer for the new workplace that keeps both employee and company security top of mind. By using a single cloud-based platform instead of separate products, organisations can save on costs and reduce complexity for IT teams. SASE will scale to workforces of any size, allowing users to connect to company systems from any company-approved device, from any location.

Partner With Cisco on Your SASE Journey

Harness the power of converged networking and security in the cloud. Cisco has all the building blocks you need to build a SASE architecture in one offer.

Contact us for more information

Digital Transformation Use Cases in Australia and Abroad

Digital Transformation Use Cases in Australia and Abroad

Digital Transformation Use Cases in Australia and Abroad

 

Many in IT view digital transformation as the process of replacing legacy and “traditional” methods, tools and infrastructure with digital alternatives. While this isn’t wrong, it’s much more than this. Digital transformation occurs when organisations integrate various technologies across their operations to achieve fundamental change. Digital transformation offers increased productivity, higher corporate agility, and the creation of additional value for employees and customers alike. The journey itself can be challenging and require a shift, not just in technology, but in mindset, re-architecting operations and changing people’s outlooks. To harness the full power of digital transformation, business needs to rethink every aspect of their organisation. This isn’t to say that the process must be undertaken quickly or in a single stride.

Accelerated by COVID-19, digital transformation is driving personalised customer experiences, greater operational efficiency and innovation across the organisation. Transformation is coming in shorter waves and executives are realising the opportunity it offers to the whole company.

Below, we explore several successful digital transformation examples from Australia and around the world.

Australian digital transformation use cases

RMIT University

RMIT is currently redesigning its student services in anticipation of the transfer of 95,000 students from on-campus to online education. The digital transformation has enabled the university to scale and address the challenges posed by an expanding number of research applications. The organisation is powered by HPE 3PAR storage, HPE StoreOnce, and HPE GreenLake Cloud Services to achieve its digital transformation goals.

PetSure

PetSure insures the beloved pets of half a million Australians. When PetSure’s agents failed to offer quality and timely services, the firm rebuilt its IT foundation from the bottom up, ensuring 99.9999% data availability and giving claims evaluations in minutes. The cornerstone of the company’s digital services is HPE Nimble Storage dHCI, HPE InfoSight, VMware, and VMware Horizon.

Royal Agricultural Society of Australia

Sydney Showground is the commercial events arm of the Royal Agricultural Society, an NFP supporting agricultural development and rural communities. When it faced strong competition from newer government stadiums, the organisation reached out to HPE Pointnext Services and Aruba to integrate WiFi and support new technologies. With their new capabilities, Sydney Showground is projected to increase revenue by up to 40% over the next ten years, enhance customer service, and provide $600-700 million AUD in economic benefit for the state.

SpecSavers

SpecSavers provides eye tests, glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Aside from standard eyecare, the company offers an AI solution that assists clients in browsing online for glasses and in-store eye scanning equipment that may identify significant eye illnesses. The company is implementing a digital transformation to offer flexibility, security, and performance through IT services. SpecSavers collaborated with HPE to implement HPE GreenLake, a consumption-based IT model, that permits expansion without incurring upfront technological costs.

Superloop

The CyberHound section of Superloop focuses on K12 network connectivity and security. CyberHound collaborated with HPE OEM to make their solution available as an appliance on HPE ProLiant servers. With HPE’s marketing and hardware assistance, the company is seeing substantial growth, allowing developers to focus on the solution rather than the hardware, safeguarding children and assisting school administrators in identifying behavioural hazards.

Plastic Wax

Plastic Wax encourages innovation by mixing gaming and graphics technologies with cinema. They have a goal to become a world-renowned independent production studio that pushes the boundaries of creativity by leveraging gaming and rendering technology and fusing it with the art of film. This involves a complex production pipeline, involving hundreds of terabytes in simulation, 3D assets, and high-res image files. They required an intelligent data platform to enable them to create without boundaries.

Plastic Wax now leverages HPE Nimble, HPE Infosight, and HPE Timeless Storage which have allowed them to create ground-breaking content that attracts new customers whilst saving money in the production pipeline through efficient data management.

Carnegie Clean Energy

Carnegie Clean Energy started using supercomputers to investigate cost-effective energy production methods from untapped, renewable sources. Collaborating with the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre in Kensington, Western Australia, they gained access to the HPE Cray Magnus (a petascale supercomputer). This will enable the company to supply emissions-free, sustainable, and scalable energy, with the potential to produce 5x the amount of energy our world requires.

International digital transformation use cases

Switzerland: Skyguide

Skyguide allows 1 million aircrafts to fly safely over Swiss airspace, which is growing at a rate of 10-20 percent per year. Skyguide incorporates HPE GreenLake and VMware as part of its digital transformation initiatives to strengthen its air traffic management capabilities with real-time flight and atmospheric data controlled by an internal cloud that distributes data as a service, enabling growth whilst controlling costs.

Arizona, USA: Yuma County

Yuma County IT Services implemented new and innovative concepts to improve its inhabitants’ health, safety, and mobility. The county improves budgeting, resource allocation, and capacity planning by incorporating the HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud technology as part of its digital transformation initiatives. The county has expanded its IT service to meet fluctuating service requirements and maintain on-premises management while providing comprehensive cloud support.

Italy: Istituto De Angeli

Istituto de Angeli is a top pharmaceutical manufacturer in Italy. The facility runs in three shifts, five to seven days per week, and produces an average of 350,000 SKUs per day. To meet demand, we need to have everything running without disruption. it’s so critical for the facility to have a reliable infrastructure in place to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. This meant replacing their infrastructure with a more secure, reliable, and high-performing solution. Using HPE Synergy, HPE 3PAR, and HPE OneView, the company improved Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) systems for increased quality control, enabling precise, 24×7 control of their WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), and maximised production efficiency of 500 SKUs for quicker product delivery.

Turkey: Migros

Migros is one of Turkey’s major grocery chains, with over 2,200 locations, an estimated 160 million customers, and over 45,000 employees. During the pandemic, the grocery chain replaced its traditional storage server system with HPE SimpliVity for ease of management, automated virtualisation, and continuous growth. Migros can now set up 700 virtual desktops in 12 minutes, boosting remote-working capabilities while reducing IT operating costs by 50% and energy consumption by 70%. HPE has allowed Migros to reduce virtual environment backup durations from days to less than an hour.

Conclusion

The use cases above have demonstrated where HPE-fuelled digital transformation has resulted in outstanding business benefits. Contact us today to explore how we, as your IT partner, can help you implement the right technologies to achieve similar results for your business.