5 Proven Methods to Lower Data Center Maintenance Costs

Data centers are the backbone of IT operations today. A company’s data center is the hub of its data and applications. It supports storage, network, and computation capabilities across all enterprise activities.

What makes up a data center?

• Physical infrastructure: Hardware components responsible for data computation and processing.
• Interconnected systems: For storing, sharing, and processing data across processes.
• Utilities: For cooling, power (electricity), network security access, etc.

Maintaining your data center involves ensuring that it functions at peak health. With data center maintenance, organizations can effectively reduce downtime and system failures.

What makes data center maintenance important for your organization?

1. Improves enterprise uptime: A single second of network downtime can hamper your operations. As per statistics, nearly 40% of system failures occur due to poor data center maintenance. Regular data center maintenance helps identify system problems and take quick action.
2. Allows smooth IT updates: Regular data center maintenance can help you stay aligned with the latest technologies.
3. Saves costs: Frequent data center checks allow quick code fixes and system updates. This helps avoid mishaps in the future and is a cost-effective option in the long run.

Five Tips to Optimize Your Data Center Maintenance Budget

1. Invest in modern cooling systems: Choosing the right cooling systems can help maintain your center environment. Due to insufficient cooling, companies are prone to increased power usage and device overheating. Installing a CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioner) with temperature controls can help replace system-generated heat with cool air. Organizations must explore different intelligent options to meet ideal operating temperatures. Proper cooling and airflow can ensure that your system operates at peak performance.
2. Ensure proper airflow management: Proper airflow management can help you reduce power usage from cooling systems. Ideal channels for air circulation are helpful in releasing trapped air around your IT gear. Proper airflow management is possible by designing your data center for enough air ventilation. Allow for appropriate spacing between the flooring, racks, rows, and the room. With proper airflow management, your organization can improve the functioning of its hardware systems.
3. Conduct monitoring checks: Regular monitoring of data centers is a crucial aspect of the maintenance process. IT administrators must watch data center processes with the following checklist:
   • Cleanliness of hardware systems and wires.
   • Is there enough ventilation for airflow management?
   • Are there any loose connections or parts across hardware systems?
   • Is the area well-lit, allowing for accurate supervision?
   • Is the air inside the room abnormally hot or cold?
   Employees must also have a fair understanding of the critical aspects of your data center. Regular inspection walks will prove helpful.
4. Review maintenance recommendations from OEM vendors: The maintenance recommendations from OEM vendors can help you ensure a long-life of hardware components. Some common practices include:
   • Regular cleaning.
   • Removing any accumulated dust, changing air filters, and clearing racks and cabinets.
   • Admins should also conduct routine testing of hardware to prevent any system failures.
   • It is also essential to report any anomalies and isolate different trends in system performance. Benchmarking these with prior reports can pinpoint the need for repair or replacement of certain parts.
5. Opt for aftermarket services support: With a proven aftermarket services provider, you can pinpoint system issues and leave the maintenance process to a certified third-party provider. Some of the signs that you might need aftermarket services include:
   • You are nearing the hardware warranty period offered by your OEM vendor.
   • You are looking for skilled specialists to support your hardware maintenance process.
   • You need help with navigating on-premise hardware and want to wait to invest in new hardware.

Run Uninterrupted Data Center Operations with RapidCare®

Frequent maintenance of your data center can help you achieve uninterrupted operations. RapidCare® from CXtec is a certified, industry-leading aftermarket services provider that can help you navigate your maintenance process with expert on-site support. With RapidCare, you can achieve the following benefits:

• Reduced OPEX budgets on data center maintenance.
• Customized maintenance strategies aligned with requirements.
• Speedy, all-round available support from in-house specialists.
• An extended hardware lifecycle.
• Easy hardware replacement.

Having worked with clients all over the globe, we, at RapidCare, can help you smoothly make the transition from OEM support to aftermarket services. We offer a lifetime warranty of products and customized SLAs in line with your requirements. RapidCare, from CXtec, is committed to helping you find the most efficient way of managing your data center maintenance process.

Contact us to find out more.