There are a lot of companies in the DCIM space right now, but if you ask the analyst firm IDC, only a handful have traits of leadership. In its IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Datacenter Infrastructure Management (DCIM) 2011 Vendor Analysis, IDC took a hard look at the current DCIM landscape – more than 20 vendors – and came away with a candid assessment:

“There are a number of vendors on the cusp of DCIM.”

IDC explains that “there are quite a few companies that can perform part of a true DCIM player’s roles. However, IDC believes that the true value of DCIM is in bringing together facilities and IT to address concerns in the datacenter around space, power, and cooling.”

In other words, vendors that can do a specific piece – but not the whole – are at the fringe.

iTRACS is proud to be named an IDC Major Player in DCIM, and invites you to read IDC’s analysis of the company In the IDC MarketScape report.

Why has IDC recognized iTRACS as a leader in DCIM?

Several specific capabilities are mentioned in the IDC research:

Interactive 3D visualization:  “Visibility is both 3D and real time within CPIM and this visualization capability is a significant strength and differentiator of the iTRACS solution.”

What-if scenarios:  “In addition to viewing the current spatial relationships of all assets, the product offers the ability to view future relationships. The visual and predictive ‘what if’ capability is a powerful tool for risk avoidance, forecasting and capacity planning.”

Automation: “With CPIM, users can dynamically manage physical assets via comprehensive toolkits and automated workflows, thereby eliminating manual steps which often can induce errors and delay problem resolution.”

Enterprise scale: “IDC finds that iTRACS provides a very capable product that fits well with larger, more advanced datacenter environments.”

iTRACS Customer Value Lifecycle™ (deployment methodology): “IDC believes that this comprehensive approach does provide the basis for the holistic view of the management of the physical infrastructure. It offers a means to converge people, processes, and technologies and ensures that all stakeholders can access the same information in real time and that the information is actionable.”

For the full review of iTRACS, read the report.

The definition of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) can sometimes seem like a chameleon. It can change according to who is looking at it, when, from what angle, and with what intent. But as you dive deeper into DCIM and its impact on data center efficiency and performance – and as the space evolves and matures – you begin to see a clear separation between true enterprise-class DCIM and flavors that are less robust.

Data Center Knowledge and many others in the industry have been watching this for a while now. Recently, DCK offered an interesting perspective. They took six recent columns from their DCK Industry Perspectives channel and put them together for readers to explore.

“Recently, DCIM has become the buzzword in the marketplace,” wrote DCK. “What Data Center Infrastructure Management tools really are and what they can do for you has been the topic of several recent guest columns in the Industry Perspectives channel. We’ve brought them together for your reading enjoyment.”

Among the six columns are three by Gary Bunyan, Global DCIM Solutions Specialist at iTRACS. Gary works with data center owners and operators around the world to help them optimize their physical infrastructures. Each month, he explores “the user experience” of DCIM in an Industry Perspectives column for DCK. He writes about how his customers are using DCIM tools to change how the data center is seen, managed, and optimized.

Here are his three columns – brought together, as DCK suggests, to help you get a handle on what DCIM is and what it can mean for your operation:

Notes from the Road #1: DCIM User Experience

When it comes to DCIM user interfaces, Gary has a unique definition of usability. The question he asks isn’t, how easy is it to use? The question is, Can I do what I need to do to manage my infrastructure – and how efficiently can I do it?

Notes from the Road #2: Tearing Down the Silos

Gary isn’t saying DCIM is a social network – but he thinks it’s close. DCIM socializes information and tears down the silos between IT, Facilities, Building Management Systems, and Business.

Notes from the Road #3: 3D is Great, But Insight is What Counts

Gary explains how DCIM is being used to solve both operational challenges like power management and strategic challenges like capacity planning.

Enjoy.

When it comes to choosing a Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solution, how attractive are smaller DCIM vendors compared to the larger players in the data center space?

It depends, of course, on what the data center owner or operator is looking for in a DCIM solution and their expectations of what it can be and do. For example, are they looking for transformational greatness or just a me-too energy monitoring product?

One thing is certain – the innovativeness of the solution is a key driver of many purchase decisions today.

This was confirmed at the December, 2011 Gartner Data Center Conference in Las Vegas, where Gartner conducted a poll of participants about which DCIM vendors they might choose and why. Here’s what the analyst firm learned, according to More Than Half of Data Center Managers Polled Will Likely Be Using DCIM Tools in 2013, the March 15, 2012 research note by Jay E. Pultz:

• Smaller vendors will be significant players in DCIM – 72% of data center managers said that they would consider them versus larger vendors, especially if very innovative solutions were offered
• 22% of the executives polled said the most decisive factor in choosing a smaller vendor was innovation – the more innovative the solution, the better

Other factors, in order of priority, were:

• Strong references of peer enterprises (21%)
• Strong partnership with a major vendor (17%)
• Willingness to customize a solution (16%)

What’s interesting about this is that a company like iTRACS sits in the middle of all of these purchasing dynamics:

1. An established player. iTRACS has been driving value for customers in physical infrastructure and connectivity since the advent of Windows 1.0.
2. Demonstrating innovativeness. iTRACS’ interactive, navigable 3D environment offers decision-makers a new way of seeing, understanding, and managing their physical assets.
3. Building partnerships. iTRACS is partnering with Intel and CA Technologies (among others), and is being deployed in complex data centers and infrastructure worldwide.

DCIM is a very interesting space right now, as multiple vendors are jockeying for position.  Gartner’s insight adds a helpful perspective.