Last week we published part one of this two-part blog series, “How to Successfully Navigate Enterprise Storage Sizing and Pricing Issues.” This week, we will focus on challenges related to how to think about enterprise storage and how to evaluate it.
Tips for Thinking About Enterprise Storage
Sometimes, issues that lead to poor enterprise storage decisions have more to do with assumptions and wrong conclusions than they do the facts at hand.
Tip 1: Don’t be caught in yesterday’s assumptions
Common practices and technologies in use can change quickly, especially when it comes to data center practices and enterprise storage.
Tip 2: Don’t forego the chance to learn more about emerging practices and technologies
Best Practice 1: Think beyond storage
An enterprise storage system is not an island. If you buy the fastest, largest storage system on the market, you still may have problems if your data center’s surrounding switches and network can’t effectively handle the storage system’s throughput needs. As you look at enterprise storage needs, look also at whether new storage will require other upgrades in your infrastructure in order to be effective.
Best Practice 2: Be open-minded about new storage technology options
Tips for Evaluating Enterprise Storage
Tip 1: Don’t limit an RFP to just your known vendors
Open the RFP field to newcomers and startups as well. Don’t let the language you use in the RFP requirements prematurely limit who can bid for your services. Even if you ultimately go with a known vendor, this type of input and competition may be useful. Keep the RFP language and terminology basic and open.
Tip 2: Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Best Practice 1: Compare apples-to-apples between vendor offerings
Vendors like to present their products in the most favorable light. When it comes to evaluating storage specifications (speeds and feeds), it’s important to make sure you are comparing the same types of performance numbers that have been reached in the same way.
Best Practice 2: Craft RFPs without bias.
Large investments in data center infrastructure often require due diligence, time, and expertise to make the right choice. This guide offers common-sense tips to avoid making many storage-buying mistakes we see among clients and within the industry.
Next Steps: Learn about common storage performance and capacity challenges companies face and see what solutions work in the white paper, "Enterprise Storage Checkup."
