SIMULCATION BLOG

The Internet of Things (IoT) is predicted to encompass 50 billion units by 2020 , generating more than $1.9trillion over the next six years alone. To put that into context, estimates suggest there are only two billion Windows PCs in the world right now. From wearables to smart fridges, the IoT is expected to take off in a big way. IoT presents an unparalleled opportunity for both businesses and consumers by generating real-time information that can improve usability and productivity. However, it also creates new challenges for datacenter managers and CIOs to navigate, including balancing the need for real-time analytics against security and capacity. Are you IoT ready? Here are four ways it is already shaking up the industry: Capacity The more devices connected, the more consumers using applications, and the more devices learn and adapt to the user, the more data will be generated. That presents a headache for DCMs when anticipating storage management and capacity on ...

Failure is an undeniably painful thing, but it’s often described as the driving force behind success. Thomas Edison famously wrote: ‘ I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work,’ proposing that innovation is forged in the fires of numerous mistakes. For datacenter managers, mistakes can be particularly costly. With high-ticket hardware and expensive service contracts, you must walk a fine line between finding the optimum mix to satisfy your customers and maintaining safety, security and zero downtime. That’s where the science behind simulations could come in, helping you to try out new components and model your decisions before making the plunge in reality. Let's uncover how it all works. Let dissatisfaction drive you Numerous research studies into the value of experiential learning methods – including simulations – suggest that mistakes are a crucial part of the learning process. Professional development (learning for work) can be experie...

Managing a datacenter is more than simply a question of knowledge. With ever-increasing demands for more data from end users and pressure from organizations to make savings in the name of greater efficiency, DCMs must constantly adapt their skills and competencies. Let’s look at five key personal skills recommended by industry recruiters. 1.      Self-motivation and commitment Datacenter managers should be proactive in seeking out new ways to improve their datacenter and its staff, thinking beyond any immediate pressing needs. They should also be highly aware of everything that’s happening in their facility to keep pace with problems when they happen. 2.      Great communication and leadership The datacenter manager should be the glue between the IT facility and the customer or end user. Poor communication is all too often a stumbling block to progress, and can hamper a swift response during customer downtime. Then there’s your st...

When it comes to making decisions about hardware and services, you need as much information as possible to hand. However, with the amount of choice on offer, where do you turn? Simulations allow us to deal with virtual versions of real life scenarios, empowering the user to rehearse and innovate through practice. I’m proud to steer the creative direction of a very diverse team that brings together professionals from the worlds of gaming, IT, professional education and simulation. What’s more, it draws on our experience with popular simulation titles (such as Sim City and The Sims to create an environment that will keep users coming back for more. Through Simulcation Datacenter, users can challenge their skills, learn about new technological developments, and experience the competitive thrill of expanding their virtual market share. Translating reality into simulation Underpinning all of this is a host of data about the variables at play when constructing and optimizing datacen...

Pilots and surgeons are responsible for the lives of those in their care. While that may not be quite as true for datacenter managers, they are the masters of balancing competing demands. On the one hand, they need to constantly improve efficiency and productivity, while at the same time keeping costs low and well-trained staff retained. That’s all in the context of an increasingly mobile end user, who wants more data and more availability. Then there’s maintenance, support and reducing the risk of failures and downtime. Given the huge financial, operational and reputational risks datacenter managers deal with every day, it should come as no surprise that a training simulation has been developed. Handling risk and complexity With the huge number of variables, making clear, well-founded decisions is one of the greatest challenges facing any datacenter manager. In the same way that a pilot or surgeon must make precise movements, datacenter managers must weigh up all the demands an...