IT Infrastructure Readiness Assessment

Question/Answer Review

1. 1. Do you have compute that is near end of support?

   Yes No Not Sure

   Older computers raise concerns regarding application performance and reliability. They often consume significantly more power than newer consolidated systems. End-of-support computers may not receive necessary patches to prevent hacking or ransomware attacks.

2. 2. Is your existing compute strategy aligned to existing and future requirements?

   Yes No Not Sure

   New CPUs/GPUs are frequently released, making a flexible strategy essential for modernization. It is crucial to be able to integrate new applications, such as AI, into a modern computing strategy.

3. 3. Is your storage nearing end of life?

   Yes No Not Sure

   Data is a valuable asset, and putting it at risk can have dire consequences. Newer flash storage systems consume significantly less power than mechanical storage systems.

4. 4. Are your database platforms optimized to protect against events including ransomware?

   Yes No Not Sure

   Having an air gap copy is critical for data protection. Often, an organization possesses the necessary technologies and simply needs to implement them.

5. 5. Do you have cloud initiatives that are not providing the expected benefits?

   Yes No Not Sure

6. a. Costs higher than expected.

   Yes No

   Lift and shift can lead to higher costs and more complex cloud outcomes.

7. b. Taking too long/too complicated/too expensive to migrate to cloud.

   Yes No

   Refactoring applications can be time consuming and expensive.

8. c. Lack of clarity on an overall cloud strategy?

   Yes No

   Not understanding options can lead to costly delays or mistakes.

9. 6. Do you now have cloud initiatives that include repatriation of workloads?

   Yes No Not Sure

   Moving from the cloud can be more complex than moving to it due to the lack of a landing space for repatriated workloads. Transitioning from cloud OpEx to CapEx, where you own and manage resources, can feel like a step backward.

10. 7. Have you explored cloud consumption models that may require private cloud resources?

    Yes No Not Sure

    A cloud-like consumption model can provide a cloud-like experience (pay for what you use) at a lower cost than public cloud. This model is quickly emerging as a fundamental planning option bridging CapEx and Public Cloud.

11. 8. Do you have a virtualization platform that no longer meets ROI/value objectives?

    Yes No Not Sure

    The Broadcom acquisition of VMware has resulted in questions and sometimes complexity around migration. It’s important to align your strategy to meet existing and future requirements.

12. 9. Do you have enough power for your future data center needs?

    Yes No Not sure

    Newer storage and compute strategies can pave the way for power-hungry AI applications.

13. 10. Have you optimized your infrastructure to effectively accommodate and support existing and future AI workloads?

    Yes No

    Should you?

14. a. Is it public cloud?

    Yes No

    Public cloud can be significantly more expensive than on-premises solutions. While it serves as a great test lab, it can prove costly.  Effective use of the public cloud is dependent on several variables, and all options should be considered.