Business Benefits of Virtualization

I speak with a number of people every year who have never heard of virtualization, and quite frankly this is a point that saddens me as a technology enthusiast.  How can everyone in the world not know about the glorious wonders that await them if they virtualized their infrastructure?!  Haha, ok maybe that’s going a bit too far, but I think you get my point.

To date, I’d have to say that of the business decision makers I meet, only about 30 percent of them know what virtualization is.  Now on the flip side, of the people who are actively down in the trenches managing systems on a day to day basis, nearly 75% of them have either used some method of virtualization or heard of it.  My question is, why is there such a disparity in knowledge of something that can be so beneficial to an organization between these two groups of people?

Well that’s what this post is about, educating decision makers about the numerous business benefits that virtualization solutions provide.
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Clearing up the Cloud!

Welcome everyone to another New Year, and also to a new series of events that we have planned surrounding Virtualization.

For those who haven’t met me at one of our annual trade-show events or attended one of our webinars, my name is Matt Lestock, and I’m the Lead Infrastructure Architect for DataXstream specializing in enterprise and SAP virtualization solutions.

Now I hear you loud and clear… “Matt! What’s this whole virtualization thing about?” Well, that’s exactly what this series of blogs and videos will be about.

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Webinar – Advantages to Leveraging a VMware Private Cloud in Your Next SAP Upgrade

 

Duration: 30 Minutes

Speaker: Matt Lestock, Lead Infrastructure Architect, DataXstream

This session will provide you with a synopsis of the strategic advantages of virtualizing your SAP landscape, as well as an outline of the critical factors that one must consider and decide on to ensure successful execution of the virtualization process.

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DataXstream Partners with Dell for SAPPHIRENOW 2011

 

DataXstream and Dell Partner to Run Live Disaster Recovery Demos of a Virtual SAP Environment

DataXstream is pleased to announce its participation at SAPPHIRENOW and the ASUG Annual Conference. Visit us at booth 2326 as we team up with our Dell partners to host presentations and demos of Disaster Recovery (DR) of a virtualized SAP environment on Dell hardware. Both DataXstream and Dell subject-matter-experts will be available to answer your questions and help you learn about the strategic advantages of virtualizing your SAP landscape, as well as the critical steps and tools that need to be in place to ensure a fool-proof DR plan.

Where: Booth 2326, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL

When: May 15 – 18, 2011

  • May 16: 10:15 – 10:30, 12:15 – 12:30, 1:45 – 2:00
  • May 17: 10:45 – 11:00, 12:15 – 12:30
  • May 16: 11:15 – 11:30, 12:15 – 12:30

Win one of three Dell Streak 7s!

This year at SAPPHIRENOW we’re holding three separate drawings and giving away a Dell Streak 7 Android Tablet to the lucky winner of each! That’s right; you have three chances to win. We’ll be holding a drawing for the following three categories:

  1. Booth Visitors – Come by our booth and scan your Attendee Badge to qualify
  2. DR Survey – Attend one of Disaster Recovery Demos at our booth and complete a short survey on the topic to qualify (Demo Schedule Above)
  3. Twitter – Find us on Twitter and retweet one of our tweets that contain the #SAPPHIRENOW hashtag. You don’t even have to be at the conference to qualify!
    1. http://twitter.com/DataXstream
    2. @dataxstream

Virtualizing the Best-Run Businesses

Virtualization technology has completely changed the state of IT landscapes forever, including SAP infrastructures, by enabling businesses to significantly reduce hardware and energy costs while simultaneously increasing overall systems flexibility and performance.  Whether you’re migrating from an existing physical landscape or undergoing a new implementation, our streamlined SAP virtualization solutions will allow you to realize the benefits of your virtualized SAP infrastructure to their fullest potential.

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Webinar – Critical Success Factors of SAP Virtualization

Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Time: 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT

Duration: 30 Minutes

Speaker: Matt Lestock, Lead Infrastructure Architect, DataXstream

Please join us on Tuesday, May 3 at 1 pm ET for an overview of SAP virtualization. This thirty minute webinar will provide you with a synopsis of the strategic advantages of virtualizing your SAP landscape as well as an outline of the critical factors one must consider and decide on to ensure successful execution of the virtualization process.
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Lumber Liquidators’ SAP VMware Virtualization Case Study

Going Virtual: How Lumber Liquidators Optimized Its IT Investments and Lightened the Demand on Its IT Organization

The April 2011 issue of SAP insiderPROFILES magazine will feature an editorial on the virtualization of Lumber Liquidators’ SAP implementation. The piece takes you inside the thought process of Lumber Liquidators’ IT team as they recount the factors that led them towards virtualization, the selection of DataXstream as their implementation partner, and how they feel today about about the decisions they made a year ago during the virtualization process.

DataXstream to Exhibit at Insider IT 2011 Conference in March

SAP Insider IT 2011 Logo

Visit DataXstream at the IT 2011 Conference

What: IT 2011 Conference

When: March 15 – 18, 2011

Where: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV [Read more...]

SAP Technical Consulting Services

Other companies may have consultants that match ours in talent, but no one matches our skill. Talent is natural. Skill is only developed through tremendous work ethic and endless hours dedicated to honing one’s craft. Our craft is SAP: from the program level down to the specific functional, technical, and administrative details. Our depth of understanding and experience in SAP allows us to clearly see the big picture, and our detailed SAP expertise is used to build solutions that match your vision.

Because Experience Matters

DataXstream offers senior level consultants covering many types of SAP consulting services. Our deep domain expertise, particularly in technical activities, enable customers to tackle complex, challenging projects where time is of the essence. Averaging over 10 years SAP experience per consultant, we can fill most roles from analyst to project lead, to solution manager. When hiring DataXstream, you gain the commitment to success that is reflected in our 100% project success rating.

DataXstream’s range of services include:

Infrastructure Assessment and Systems Architecture

Whether you are looking to implement SAP for the first time, perform an upgrade, merge several legacy systems together, or virtualize your landscape (SAP or otherwise), it is critical that you take the proper steps in preparation for your work.  DataXstream can work with you to design a system landscape that is able to meet your business goals and adapt to business growth in the short, medium, and long- term.  We will review your existing hardware, software, systems architecture solutions (SAP and non-SAP) and make recommendations regarding the design of your system and the applications you need.  We will determine the sizing requirements for your new landscape (including the amount of hardware, storage, servers, etc. that is needed), identify gaps in hardware and software between your present system and the one proposed, and obtain all required licenses.  At this stage, we will also make recommendations as to whether to engage in a virtualization process or not.  If you decide it is in your company’s business interests, we will use our technical expertise to virtualize your landscape.

 Project Management

Once you have architected the optimized and efficient IT infrastructure needed to support your SAP system, DataXstream can assist you in the management of your SAP projects.  We work collaboratively with customers to develop and deliver strategies and engagement plans for projects in all phases of the SAP lifecycle; including implementations, development, integration, upgrades, data management, and support. We provide realistic project forecasts, deliverable timelines, estimated costs, and resource needs.  Whether it is during the stage of pre-implementation, execution, or post-implementation of your project, DataXstream remains highly involved in the process and can work with you on strategy, tactics, and execution.

SAP Technical Development and Functional Configuration

Once you have your infrastructure and the specifics of your envisioned SAP solution in place, DataXstream’s SAP experts can do the nitty-gritty work to make your plan into a reality. Our team of senior developers dive into the programming world of ABAP, BAPI, RFC, XI, PI, IDOCS, ALE, .Net, Java Connectors, as well as a number of middleware integration platforms, working to meet all the functional and technical specifications of your SAP system.  Our consultants have the necessary mix of  project leadership, thorough understanding of  business processes and goals, and SAP technical expertise to deliver solutions that are both technically-sound and business-process optimized. This work involves configuring all critical components of the SAP system, developing custom applications to enhance the capabilities of standard SAP solutions to meet your unique needs, and testing each of the SAP components to ensure your system performs as desired.  We integrate all critical process,  data sources, and third party software with SAP; cleanse and migrate data as necessary into your SAP system; leverage SolMan’s rich tool set to better manage and support your system throughout the application lifecyle; and provide the Basis administration to KTLO and support your SAP system’s day-to-day activities.

Support

As you are engaging in your SAP project, DataXstream can assist with every phase of an SAP lifecycle.  Our consultants have been through countless SAP lifecycles and have experienced the details of every stage. We know when certain support activities need to be done and can plan pro-actively to resolve them to eliminate unnecessary issues. DataXstream also understands the need for process discipline, along with clear communication during an SAP lifecycle, and can assist you with putting such critical processes in place. When it comes to your support needs, DataXstream can assist in planning and vision, full post-production support, and adaptation of the support model as you respond to internal and external changes.

Upgrades

At some point in time, it may become necessary to upgrade your SAP landscape.  When that day comes, DataXstream can assist you.   DataXstream has been helping companies with SAP upgrades since 1998.  Consequently, we understand upgrades and the need to execute upgrades quickly and effectively to minimize disruption and ensure business continuity.   Our upgrade process involves understanding your technical and business environment in order to establish an approach that meets your business goals; assessing your existing infrastructure and doing a gaps analysis between what exists now and what is needed for the upgrade; and executing on the upgrade plan.  If it is in your company’s best interest, DataXstream can also virtualize your landscape before executing the SAP upgrade.

SAP All-In-One (AIO) Virtual Infrastructure

Prebuilt and Ready to Install

With DataXstream’s Prepackaged AIO (All-In-One) SAP virtual landscapes, businesses can greatly reduce their overhead, hardware costs and time to implement an SAP All-In-One Infrastructure.

Leveraging our extensive experience with SAP virtualization, DataXstream has created prepackaged SAP All-In-One infrastructure solutions which offer unprecedented flexibility. With our prepackaged offerings, you now have the ability to easily and cost effectively deploy business critical backup solutions, as well as disaster recovery and even site recovery solutions which fit your business and budget requirements.

SAP All-In-One Infrastructure Deployed in Two Weeks

That’s right, two weeks.

Because SAP All-In-One is a standards based installation, DataXstream has the ability to deploy an entire All-In-One Virtual infrastructure in just two weeks; significantly reducing the capital investment and time to implement a traditional All-In-One infrastructure. But beyond the ease of deployment, your solution should be flexible, which is why as a Dell and VMware Partner, we leverage the vSphere 4 virtualization architecture to enable your SAP All-In-One Infrastructure to grow with your business.

Why A Prepackaged Solution?

  • Built upon SAP best practices
  • Industry leading hardware
  • Designed for high availability
  • Reduced implementation time
  • Expand as your business grows
  • Rapid return on investment

All-in-One Packages Include

  • Prebuilt, ready to deploy SAP Virtual Landscape
  • 2 week setup time

Install Features

  • Preconfigured for High Availability
  • Easily deploy remote Disaster Recovery solutions
  • Flexibility to expand with your business needs

*Does not include SAP licensing or SQL Server licensing

Hardware

  • Dell PowerEdge Servers
  • Equallogic PS Series SAN
  • Force10 iSCSI fabric

Software

  • VMWare vSphere
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008*
  • Preinstalled ECC Landscape*
  • Preinstalled Solution Manager Landscape*

With 3 SAP AIO Solutions We Have An Infrastructure That’s Right For You

SMALL

3000 SAPS Production Instance

7000 SAPS Landscape Total

6.1 TB Usable SAN Storage

MEDIUM

6000 SAPS Production Instance

14000 SAPS Landscape Total

9.2 TB Usable SAN Storage

LARGE

9000 SAPS Production Instance

21000 SAPS Landscape Total

14 TB Usable SAN Storage

SAP VMware Virtualization Solutions

Virtualization technology has forever changed the state of IT landscapes, including SAP infrastructures, by enabling businesses to significantly reduce hardware costs, energy costs, and IT Support, while simultaneously increasing overall systems flexibility and performance. For more than a decade, DataXstream has embraced the benefits of virtualized landscapes. Whether you’re migrating from an existing physical landscape or undergoing a new implementation, whether you are a large business or a small business, DataXstream’s streamlined SAP virtualization solutions allow you to realize the benefits of your virtualized SAP infrastructure to their fullest potential.

 Read the Case Study:

A Decade of Experience with Virtualization

DataXstream has embraced virtualization technology for nearly a decade, beginning with our first use of desktop virtualization in 2002 to better manage our multiple clients and then continuing with our conversion of our SAP datacenter in 2004. Even before virtualization became officially endorsed by SAP in 2007, DataXstream leveraged virtualization’s flexibility and cost saving features to better meet the needs of our SAP customers. Over the years, virtualization technology has given us a competitive advantage in the marketplace, allowing us to rapidly adapt to the changing needs and requirements of the SAP world and clients. Through years of experience, we have been able to streamline a proprietary model to forecast the right hardware and software configuration for SAP, as well as the tuning parameters necessary to insure optimal performance.

We are now on our 4th generation of Dell Virtualization Servers, leveraging Dell’s latest 710 series, which just recently replaced our Dell R900’s. Migration to the new servers was completed in a matter of days and was accomplished with no outage to our internal systems. With our recent upgrade to VMware’s vSphere 4 Enterprise, we are now able to run our entire virtual infrastructure in High Availability (HA).

Over the past 7 years, DataXstream has worked with most storage technologies available, utilizing internal storage, NAS (Network Access Storage), DAS (Direct Attached Storage), SAN (Storage Area Networks), and Virtual SAN products. We develop techniques to successfully architech our SAP virtual storage infrastructure that are now considered SAP best practices in virtualization.

Let the Experts Virtualize Your SAP Landscape

So you are ready to virtualize. Whether you already have SAP on a physical landscape or you are implementing SAP for the first time, DataXstream can help you. DataXstream is a certified Professional Solutions Provider of VMware virtualization software. Our consultants have completed VmWare education training and are certified by VmWare to install, implement, and optimize their software for any ERP infrastructure. As a certified partner, we also have access to the latest virtualization software technology as well as studies, best practice methodology, and training.

Virtualization Solutions for Small Businesses

So you are ready to virtualize, but you are a small business. This means you have less time and money to implement a virtual solution. You ask: is virtualization even an option for you? Well, you are in good hands. DataXstream has a prepackaged, cost-effective, yet flexible All-In-One (AIO) virtual infrastructure that can be deployed in just two weeks. So you may be small, but you need not miss out on the benefits that virtualization can bring to your business.

Virtualization Solutions for Disaster Recovery

Unexpected IT outages and loss of data due to natural or human-initiated disasters can unleash a procession of direct and indirect consequences, with both short-term and far-reaching consequences.  At DataXstream, we  deliver innovative, reliable and cost-effective disaster recovery solutions that tap into our deep understanding of virtual infrastructure and take advantage of the inherent disaster recovery capabilities of VMware.

Optimizing your SAP Landscape with VMware Virtualization