Editing Data center (section)

===Data center transformation===
Data center transformation takes a step-by-step approach through integrated projects carried out over time. This differs from a traditional method of data center upgrades that takes a serial and siloed approach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/08/03/three-signs-it%E2%80%99s-time-to-transform-your-data-center/|title=Tang, Helen. "Three Signs it's time to transform your data center," August 3, 2010, Data Center Knowledge|access-date=September 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810100214/http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/08/03/three-signs-it%E2%80%99s-time-to-transform-your-data-center/|archive-date=August 10, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The typical projects within a data center transformation initiative include standardization/consolidation, [[virtualization]], [[automation]] and security.
* Standardization/consolidation: Reducing the number of data centers<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Fortune|date=February 16, 2017|url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/15/data-center-consolidation-cloud|title=the Era of Great Data Center Consolidation|quote='Friends don't let friends build data centers,' said Charles Phillips, chief executive officer of Infor, a business software maker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/manage/wave-data-center-consolidation-different-first-one|title=This Wave of Data Center Consolidation is Different from the First One|date=February 8, 2018}}</ref> and avoiding ''server sprawl''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://startafire.com/|title=Start A Fire|website=startafire.com}}</ref> (both physical and virtual)<ref>{{cite web|website=IBMsystemsMagazine.com|title=Stop Virtual Server Sprawl|url=http://ibmsystemsmag.com/power/systems-management/virtualization/stop-server-sprawl|access-date=2018-11-01|archive-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023003128/http://ibmsystemsmag.com/power/systems-management/virtualization/stop-server-sprawl/|url-status=dead}}</ref> often includes replacing aging data center equipment,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/company/sustainability/files/thought-leadership-white-paper.pdf|title=Top reasons to upgrade vintage data centers}}</ref> and is aided by standardization.<ref name="datacenterknowledge.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2007/05/16/complexity-growing-data-center-challenge|title=Complexity: Growing Data Center Challenge|date=May 16, 2007|website=Data Center Knowledge}}</ref>
* Virtualization: Lowers capital and operational expenses,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://technews.tmcnet.com/channels/virtualization/topics/virtualization/articles/193652-carousels-expert-walks-through-major-benefits-virtualization.htm|title=Carousel's Expert Walks Through Major Benefits of Virtualization|website=technews.tmcnet.com}}</ref> reduces energy consumption.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[InformationWeek]]|author=Stephen Delahunty|title=The New urgency for Server Virtualization|date=August 15, 2011|url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-architecture/231300585|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402220551/http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-architecture/231300585|archive-date=2012-04-02|url-status=dead }}</ref> Virtualized desktops can be hosted in data centers and rented out on a subscription basis.<ref>{{cite web|title=HVD: the cloud's silver lining|url=http://www.intrinsictechnology.co.uk/FileUploads/HVD_Whitepaper.pdf|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121002231021/http%3A//www.intrinsictechnology.co.uk/FileUploads/HVD_Whitepaper.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2012|publisher=Intrinsic Technology|access-date=August 30, 2012}}</ref>  Investment bank Lazard Capital Markets estimated in 2008 that 48 percent of enterprise operations will be virtualized by 2012. Gartner views virtualization as a catalyst for modernization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2008/12/02/gartner-virtualization-disrupts-server-vendors/|title=Gartner: Virtualization Disrupts Server Vendors|date=December 2, 2008}}</ref>
* Automating: Automating tasks such as [[provisioning (IT)|provisioning]], configuration, [[patch (computing)|patching]], release management, and compliance is needed, not just when facing fewer skilled IT workers.<ref name="datacenterknowledge.com"/>
* Securing: Protection of virtual systems is integrated with the existing security of physical infrastructures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lippisreport.com/2011/05/securing-the-data-center-transformation-aligning-security-and-data-center-dynamics/|title=Ritter, Ted. Nemertes Research, "Securing the Data-Center Transformation Aligning Security and Data-Center Dynamics"|access-date=2011-09-09|archive-date=2017-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625144826/http://lippisreport.com/2011/05/securing-the-data-center-transformation-aligning-security-and-data-center-dynamics/|url-status=dead}}</ref>