5 Steps to Trim Your IT Budget Using Virtualization

Although the concept has been around for decades, the idea of employing virtualization on computers has just recently started gaining serious traction in business. Businesses of all types and sizes are learning the incredible benefits of server virtualization, including:

• The capability of running multiple applications and operating systems on one single computer
• Savings of more than one-half of ongoing IT costs
• Higher productivity as a result of hardware consolidation and the requirement for drastically fewer servers
• Faster deployment of applications, far less IT maintenance and a much simpler IT management system

5 Cost-Reducing Advantages of Virtualization

1. Typical business IT departments spend somewhere around 70% of their budget on maintenance of an ever-growing hardware infrastructure. Because most of today's business computers use an X86 platform, which are designed to run only one application or operating system at a time, more servers must be deployed to satisfy the needs of each data processing center - even though existing systems are typically only being used to about 15% of their computing potential. Creating virtual systems within a computer allows each server to utilize approximately 80% more of its potential computing power, far outpacing the average and inefficient 15% mentioned above.
2. Because the efficiency of each piece of computing hardware is significantly increased, this means the amount of required hardware is substantially reduced through consolidation to about 1/10 of what's required without the introduction of virtualization.
3. A more efficient, simpler and agile server setup not only reduces the amount of maintenance required to keep everything humming but, as a direct impact, creates savings in operational and capital costs of approximately 50% when compared to non-virtualized systems.
4. In addition to the Server Virtualization discussed above, Desktop Virtualization is an additional means of improving service through quicker response and cutting costs, by providing virtualized desktop computers to branch offices, offshore outsourcing partners and mobile employees staying in touch on portable handheld devices such as tablets. These virtualized desktop systems provide a secure, consistent and scalable solution that not only saves IT dollars but also increases productivity.
5. Data Storage Virtualization allows for a fundamentally more efficient method for managing storage resources that improves both utilization and flexibility. Storage Virtualization can be used as a means of complementing and leveraging the current, existing data storage infrastructure.

It's All Good, With No Downside

Traditionally, when computer apps started running slowly or more memory seemed to be required, the answer was to add more hardware to the system. This not only increased capital expenditures but also inflated ongoing maintenance requirements with their associated costs, thereby wasting funds that could have been better utilized elsewhere.

By virtualizing your IT infrastructure, you make it simpler, more efficient, faster and with better performance and availability. Briefly said, it's easier to implement and manage a virtualized system.