Can agencies cut 800 data centers? Maybe, but here's what's in the way.

Agency managers might find it easier meeting the administration’s “cloud first” mandates than achieving some of the data center consolidation goals in OMB IT reform plan, which face significant challenges.

IT consolidation on the menu in cash-strapped Minn.

A legislative commission's recommendations include the use of shared services and the consolidation of IT operations, utility services and specialized applications.

Are budget cuts a mother of IT invention?

As the economic downturn comes to roost in the public sector, IT managers have another, unavoidable incentive to innovate: Significant cuts in budgets and staff sizes while network demands, as always, are on the rise.

A few key tips on successful data center consolidation

Data conslidation is a multiyear program spanning multiple administrations and CIOs, so it must be embraced as a strategic agency program, says Aglliex's Bob Otto, former USPS CIO. But nothing else will have as broad and lasting an impact.

Is data center consolidation a fast path to cost savings?

Feds are hoping for big savings through data center consolidation, but there's more to it than is first apparent.

Energy efficiency: Good for your budget and the environment

A survey of federal managers who are responsible for agency purchasing decisions reveals their thoughts about energy.

Energy-efficient tech aids agency cost savings, report says

Many public- and private-sector IT managers are getting the message: Energy-efficient IT programs are good for business, according to a new report by CDW Government.

Why consolidation will boost use of open-source systems

The government's data center consolidation initiative, which should ramp up in January, could have an interesting ripple effect: A spike in the use of open-source systems.

DOE contract could enable data-center consolidation

A type of contract aimed at increasing energy savings could be a solution for cash-strapped agencies eying data-center consolidation, conference speaker says.

How did the government miscount a thousand data centers?

The federal government has found that there are nearly 1,000 more data-centers than previous estimates indicated after a rigorous peer-review process resulted in a more complete picture of agencies' data-center assets, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

DHS wants end-to-end view of IT operations

The Homeland Security Department plans to build an enterprise operations center that will give network and systems administrators from component agencies a comprehensive view of how IT operations across the department are interconnected.

Data centers shuffle off to Buffalo — and other affordable places

Cheap power, a cool climate and a stable geography are attracting large data centers to the Buffalo, N.Y., area. A study also ranks the least expensive places to put a center.

Topic Resources

  • Transforming Agency Networks: Modernize to Meet Today’s Demands

    Network infrastructure modernization is on the wish list of many agencies due to growing demand for bandwidth and improved IT service delivery. But modernization requires money – which is in short supply these days. Register for this webcast to hear about these issues through survey results sourced by public sector IT leaders and business decision makers.

  • Bringing Federal Storage Consolidation Initiatives Back Under Control: Understanding the Critical Role of Enterprise Wide Storage Management

    Federal agencies are under pressure from legislative and executive branch leaders to consolidate infrastructure in an effort to reduce costs, streamline operations and rationalize technical resources. In this webcast, thought leaders will explore the role that effective storage management architecture and tools can play in planning and executing an effective storage consolidation strategy.

  • GameChanger: Rethinking Data Center Design

    As agencies begin to upgrade or consolidate their data centers, many are starting to realize that it’s much more complicated than simply combining equipment or facilities. In some cases, the consolidated data center may not have the space, power or cooling available to support virtualized servers or the multitude of equipment that needs to be consolidated. In other cases, existing data centers may not have the infrastructure required to support the sheer volume of data that must be stored and processed. Download this in-depth report for more on a different approach to data center design.

  • All Data Archiving Tools Are Not Created Equal: The Importance of Index and Search

    Most organizations possess considerable intellectual property. Unfortunately, that information is useless unless employees know how to find it. Archiving tools with powerful index and search capabilities can help maximize the value of intellectual property.

  • Key Factors in Modernizing Backup and Recovery

    There is a definite need for better data protection solutions in today’s data centers. Learn the trends that have made modernizing backup and recovery an urgent priority, the key requirements for solution offerings, and how Symantec NetBackupTM appliances deliver a simple, complete, and cost-effective solution.