With the sudden change in ways businesses operate, as a result of the unexpected Coronavirus pandemic, adapting and leveraging remote technology solutions is the only option available for IT managers and business decision markers to proactively manage their organisation’s IT infrastructure and keep the business moving with very little or no glitch.
With cloud-based computing and other technologies, experts say that organisations will be able to significantly reduce downtime by taking care of issues before they become problems, as they will be able to improve performance by assessing how to improve hardware based on the experience of similar systems at thousands of other sites.
Just like mobile applications have made it easier and more convenient for people to shop, access their bank accounts, stream videos and even study, the use of technology can also help transform businesses and governments, by using remote maintenance.
Speaking on the need for remote maintenance and cloud technology to transform data centre businesses, Ayo Adegboye, managing director, BCX Nigeria, said; “what’s most exciting is the potential of artificial intelligence comparing data sets from tens or hundreds of thousands of other data centers and then sharing results on how to optimize hardware and software performance with the IT team.”
“All of these tasks can be done remotely, and the time that you save can be put to other tasks, such as anticipating the needs of your internal customers, researching new trends in the technology and data center space, and looking at how to implement these new solutions,” he said.
At a time when all businesses have had to adapt in one way or the other, to working from home and remote learning, experts say it is necessary for IT professionals to also shift online in order to operate effectively.
The banks, telecommunication companies, and e-commerce retailers have been able to operate and function effectively during lockdown due to their use of technology. They’ve embraced online channels such as mobile applications, which have been built on cloud technologies and software defined data centers.
As we already know, technology has always been an enabler; it has never been easier to manage IT systems, both hardware and software, remotely, even through an application on your smart phone.
Recent statistics show that Nigeria currently has about seven functional Data Centers in and yet, not many of them depend on a specific PC, with a VPN login, in order to access a data center monitoring system.
According to Adegboye, the current global realities should be a wake-up call to all of us on the need to modernise our approach to how we maintain, protect and optimise the systems that we are increasingly relying on to be able to work and live.
ICT experts say that there are a lot of reasons why remote monitoring can dramatically support any organisation’s productivity and growth.
Adegboye listed examples such as; Embedded Systems – There are more sensors, notifications, and alarms available on data center systems today than there was a decade ago. With this much data, we’re able to run our data centers much more efficiently, provided we have the right monitoring systems and technology in place.
Big Data – There’s been lots of talk about Big Data, and this innovation, when combined with the increase in hardware-based sensors, will allow us to completely change how we approach the idea of maintenance. Big Data will allow us to shift from being reactive to predictive, helping IT managers to understand what is about to fail before it happens. This will significantly reduce the amount of unplanned downtime data center managers see today.
Mobile Computing – We’re all mobile right now, and we are accessing our emails and the internet via our laptops and smart phones. Those tasked with maintaining the operations of a data center shouldn’t need to be tied to a desktop. Mobile computing helps us all do our jobs on the go, from different locations, without being disconnected at any time.
Health and Safety – It goes without saying that remote monitoring enables IT managers to manage, maintain, and improve the operation of their data centers as safely as possible. Given what we’re dealing with today, the ability to access information about the data center and understand what’s happening from any location is the best way to ensure that there’s minimal risk to people working on-site.
According to the MD od BCX, all of these tasks can be done remotely, and the time that you save can be put to other tasks, such as anticipating the needs of your internal customers, researching new trends in the technology and data center space, and looking at how to implement these new solutions.
BCX Nigeria in conjunction with their partner Schneider Electric are taking the lead to drive this and will host a webinar where participants will have the opportunity to understand more about these trends by joining the webinar at 12pm On Wednesday May 13th , 2020.
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