Relocate IT

CFD, power strips, cabinets, oh my!

2010-04-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

All of these provide ways to become more efficient, right? The answer is yes – but only if you deploy the right plan/equipment at the right time and manage the project in the right way.

From power strips that can monitor power at the device level, to software that tracks every spec of air, to products that enable visibility from across the world, to government rebates just for conducting an audit – efficiency is the topic de jour. But what do you do with these products? How do you choose what is right for your enterprise? How do you properly manage and monitor these projects? The importance of having the knowledge and experience to successfully implement a data center efficiency initiative is a critical issue.

There is no such thing as a six-month energy efficiency project. An energy efficiency project must change the way a company views its data center with an eye toward the future – and include the creation of a model that can be used for all sites. With the right execution, you will get the results that experts brag about.

So let’s keep the efficiency discussion going…but let’s also talk about how essential the service aspect is to a successful, cost-efficient solution.

Align To Participate at the 2010 DatacenterDynamics Conference and Expo in New York City March 3rd

2010-02-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK – February 4, 2010 – Align, a global information technology solutions company, is participating in the 8th Annual DatacenterDynamics Global Conference and Expo at the New York Hilton on March 3, 2010.

This event is the largest gathering of professionals involved in the design, construction and operation of 24/7 mission-critical information technology facilities. A primary source of information for data center specialists, this must-attend conference boasts 40 exhibitions and 31 presentations over the course of a full day from industry leaders.

During the show, Align will showcase its growing service offering of data center solutions, featuring server moves and migrations as well as the release of the latest version of the IT asset management software Asset Point. Align´s subject-matter experts will be on site to discuss the challenges data center managers face and how to strategically plan for future needs and upgrades.

Advance registration is required to DatacenterDynamics events – click here

EVENT DETAILS
New York City
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
New York Hilton
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

Align Appoints Michael DeBlock and Michael Sheehan to Lead Sales Efforts

2009-06-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Align Appoints Michael DeBlock and Michael Sheehan to Lead Sales Efforts

Press Contact: Lisa Hechtman, Align
lhechtman@align.com/212.546.6167

NEW YORK – June 17, 2009- Align a global information technology (IT) solutions company is pleased to announce Michael DeBlock and Michael Sheehan have recently joined the firm. Bringing exceptional operational leadership and sales experience, they will be responsible for strategic sales, business development, and partner relations domestically and internationally.

“The addition of these two highly-regarded professionals is something that will positively change the dynamics of our organization,” says James Dooling, President & CEO of Align. “Their hands-on involvement in all areas of Align’s business will enable the firm to grow our product and services revenue channels – including the new solutions we’re announcing, and the upcoming release of our Asset Point 5.0 IT asset management software. Both have the experience to take Align to new heights – we’re happy to have them on board.”

Michael DeBlock will be responsible for ensuring that the Align organization understands and communicates the unique value that Align brings to its customers and business partners. He is also charged with building and maintaining relationships with Align’s largest global accounts, vendor & channel partners. Prior to Align, DeBlock spent 25 years leading executive-level sales and management efforts at IPC Information Systems – helping them become a leading provider of communications solutions to financial services firms worldwide. DeBlock was also a member of the executive team charged with evaluating business mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He held responsibility for global efforts stretching from Latin America to EMEA, as well as the management of 12 domestic branches. Throughout his career at IPC, DeBlock held several management and operational positions including Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing, Sales Support, VP Operation, Project Management, and Technical Engineering.

Michael Sheehan joins Align to lead key account acquisition and business development. He brings more than 30 years of experience developing global sales channels and directing channel partners & integrators. Most recently he was with PTS Consulting, where he was the Director of Sales and Business Development for the US, with a focus on the NY Metro area. Previous to that, he was the Managing Director of Global Sales at IPC Information Systems. Mike started his career with NY Telephone and rose through the ranks at AT&T where he was responsible for accounts such as Merrill Lynch, Dun & Bradstreet, and several major domestic legal firms.

Additional Contact Information
Michael DeBlock – mdeblock@align.com
Michael Sheehan – msheehan@align.com
ABOUT ALIGN
Align (www.align.com) is a global information technology (IT) solutions firm with key competencies in “Technology Transformation Initiatives” – designing, deploying, moving and consolidating technologies & advanced network infrastructures. Since 1986 the world's leading firms have relied on Align to enable business & IT alignment, and to deliver solutions for business change and growth. Our staff is subject matter experts in the leading technologies and project management processes – Project Management Institute (PMI), PRINCE2, ITIL, Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD), Cisco, Microsoft, VMWare, Cymtec, Checkpoint, HP, EMC, and many others. With offices in New York, London, Chicago, Toronto & Princeton, Align supports clients of any size, location or marketplace. Combining project management skills, expert knowledge of technology systems, and a true team spirit, Align has successfully managed some of the most challenging IT projects.

Mastering Your Data Center Move-

2009-05-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

5 Vital Steps

At the March 2009 DatacenterDynamics show in NYC, Align hosted a seminar entitled "Mastering Your Data Center Move." This annual show is a must attend event where leading professionals in the field share their expertise with 800 attendees, 40 exhibitors, and 32 presentations over the course of a full day.

Align's lead strategist Dean Evans and Server Migrations Practice Leader, Art Dooling presented the 5 vital steps one needs to address when moving a data center. We've included an excerpt below, as well as a link to a free download of the presentation...

Relocating a data center can be a career defining-or ending-project.
Make sure you have the process, people, and tools to get the job done right because there isn't a second time. Here's a quick list of the steps you'll need to master:

STRATEGY: Analyze, understand, determine
Because a data center impacts every aspect of your business, be sure to assess what you have, where it is, why you have it, and how it's relevant.

ALIGN INSIGHT:
Spend enough time to understand how your strategy meets your business requirements.

PLAN: Plan with the end in mind
Understand where your pain points are and who your assets are.

ALIGN INSIGHT:
Set up measurable expectations for the entire project against the current data center TCO and avoid finger- pointing later.

DESIGN: Addressing today, while planning for tomorrow
Walk your current and future sites. Roll-up your sleeves and really look at those spaces and your equipment.

ALIGN INSIGHT:
Allocate space in the new data center for legacy technology to re purpose in the future.

MIGRATE, MOVE, & FILL: Ready, set.. fill!
Use a defined process and industry tools to manage the assets and people involved in the move.

ALIGN INSIGHT:
Create specific tasks at specific times. Reduce risk with your process.

MANAGE: Support, maintain, and transform
Don't lose your insight post-move! Leverage the data and tools you've acquired and remain active in managing your new environment.

ALIGN INSIGHT:
If you've mastered your move, you can measure your success against the initial expectations and communicate it.

A free download of Align's "Mastering your Data Center Move- 5 Vital Steps" presentation can be found here:

http://www.align.com/Solutions/Relocate/DataCenter.aspx

http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/

Improving M&E efficiency and performance in the Data Center

2009-04-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Is the term, "Green Data Center" an oxymoron?

The Align Data Center team has been researching "Green" initiatives for the Data Center environment. The term "Green" is broadly used to describe a variety of policies, measures, and technologies that are intended to improve the energy efficiency/sustainability and carbon footprint of Data Centers. Green initiatives also have the added benefit of the potential for substantially reducing facilities OPEX budgets of which energy costs are a very large factor. Although by definition Data Centers are excessive power consumption facilities there are steps that can and should be taken to mitigate waste.

When considering the potential of applying Green technologies, Data Center facilities must be categorized into two distinct types:
1. New construction
2. Retrofit

For the purposes of this discussion we will only address the retrofit situation. There are many techniques and tools that can be applied to improve performance. Perhaps the first step in this process should be to implement a means of accurately measuring real power consumption. It is crucial to benchmark power usage at the outset. This will allow for the results of the applied power saving measures to be quanitfied and assessed accurately. Without a benchmark it is impossible to know if actual benefit is being realized from the actions taken. It is not possible to accurately calculate ROI without the benefit of a benchmark.

In some (rare) cases a facility may be fitted with the appropriate electrical measuring infrastructure from the outset. Most facilities however are not equipped for this sort of metering. There are a variety of devices and software tools commercially available for this purpose. Depending on both the devices chosen and the design of the facility, the impact of installing aftermarket measurement equipment can range widely. Some situations can be non-invasive and inexpensive. Other scenarios are quite costly and may require interruption of the power service.

Once a means to meter the power has been installed and the benchmark has been set remedial actions can be put into place. In the Data Center retrofit scenario, generally the most fruitful and common means of achieving energy savings is in the improvement of mechanical performance of the HVAC systems.

Some common remedial actions that require minimal environmental measurement:

Consolidation of installed gear into as a few cabinets as possible
Rack elevations adjusted to leave little or no open rack units between devices
Open rack space in cabinets/racks filled with blanking panels
Excess openings in floor tiles filled
Cold aisle isolation

Remedial actions that require analysis of environmental (temperature, humidity, pressure sensors etc.) monitor recordings:

Strategic placement of perforate floor tiles
Installation of below floor baffles(partition active/inactive areas, optimize static pressure)
Raising of temperature set points
Shutting down extra CRAC units

In an existing operational Data Center there are significant challenges that can impact the ability to alter the power consumption profile of the facility:

Cost of tools/implementation
Impact on operations
Coordination with IT stake holders and user groups

There are many incentives for businesses to implement "Green" initiatives in their Data Centers. The biggest incentive is financial as the potential for significant reduction in the OPEX budget is obtainable. Increased efficiency also means that the need to construct new Data Centers will be slowed because the capacity of existing facilities sill increase by virtue of greater efficiency. There are Federal Tax incentive programs in place(and proposed) that will make it easier to invest in Green technologies and will add to a faster and greater ROI. In sum Data Center efficiency is not really an option any longer. the financial incentives are plain. The environmental impact is also something that all businesses must consider.

Welcome To Relocate IT-A Blog of Tips, Tricks, and Insights from Align

2009-04-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

With more than 23 years experience helping global firms manage challenging technology change events, Align is happy to share some thoughts on how to RELOCATE your IT.

We'll concentrate on these areas:

Office, Trading Floor, and Dealing Room Relocations
Data Center Moves, Buildouts, and Consolidations
Sever Moves, Migrations and Virtualization Initiatives
Move, Add, and Change Events [MAC]

Align is looking for feedback from thought leaders and experts in the industry.

Check back soon, there's more to come!