Evergreen Systems Suggests Organizations Utilize Data Center Initiatives to Drive CMDB Adoption; Newest IT Management Tip from IT Consultant Takes Advantage of Current Projects to Introduce Configuration Management to Organizations.

STERLING, Va. -- Evergreen Systems, a leading IT technology and process consulting firm, today released the latest in its series of tips to aid IT Managers with 2006 planning. Based on industry observations and client engagements, Evergreen recommends that organizations leverage current or planned data center activities to drive Configuration Management Database (CMDB) adoption. Whether driven by disaster recovery improvements, a move to shared and/or virtual environments, or simply to allow for expansion, many organizations are conducting large-scale, enterprise-wide programs to rebuild central processes found in the data center. However, some of these companies experience delays or hurdles due to insufficient knowledge of their technology assets. In addition, they also see this as a one-time opportunity to capture key data center information. As companies are gathering this data, Evergreen suggests that they adopt a CMDB approach to 1) aid in the execution of the data center initiative itself and 2) ensure that this critical data is kept current and made available to the rest of the organization. Key benefits of capturing and maintaining this data in a CMDB include better capacity and resource planning, reducing risk associated with failed change (and a lack of configuration knowledge), and better IT operations in general due to more current, accurate, and useful data.

As a core component of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), a CMDB contains relevant information about IT Configuration Items (CI's) as well as their dependencies on and relationships with each other. A CMDB can include data specific to IT hardware, software, applications, documentation, personnel, and business domains. Capturing and maintaining this information is particularly critical to the data center where managing complexity and its related risk is critical to maintaining a reliable infrastructure.

"There are several trends pushing organizations to undergo complicated and comprehensive, data center projects," said Joe Koester, VP of Consulting Services for Evergreen Systems. "For instance, following the events of 9/11, many companies were forced to re-think the physical location of their data centers. In some cases, having all data center assets in one location or in the wrong location (i.e. Manhattan, Washington D.C., Chicago, etc.) has led to many of these organizations initiating data center moves. In assessing their operations and preparing for the move, these same organizations are realizing they don't have easy access to the information they need; information that would be contained in a CMDB. As they move forward with the painful (and manual) effort of collecting this data, they want to make sure they don't make the same mistake twice. Collecting and managing this data in a CMDB is a logical step that will not only help with future data center initiatives, but will provide benefits to the entire IT organization."

Koester continued, "Another primary driver of data center initiatives is the move to virtual and shared environments as IT departments are increasingly being asked to control costs. With these types of environments, organizations are able to control 'server sprawl' by more effectively balancing load needs and improving server utilization. As these companies reduce the servers they have throughout the organization and introduce virtual technology to their enterprises, it becomes a logical extension to integrate the new hardware and software profiles into a CMBD to provide administrators with a clear overview of the company's new information structure."

Evergreen, which works with some of the world's best known brands in insurance, finance, healthcare and consumer products, outlines the benefits of integration in its Tip Program. The company, known for developing and implementing strategy and standards-based approaches to IT management, strongly advocates that as IT departments begin to strategize and budget for 2006, they include CMDB implementations with other data center initiatives. These integrations will help organizations control costs and give them greater visibility into their IT information. Without this integration, organizations frequently waste significant time and money conducting ad hoc, redundant or inaccurate audits of their IT information.

About Evergreen Systems

Evergreen Systems is a highly specialized technology consulting firm focused on helping complex global organizations simplify and optimize the way their IT organizations work. From strategic planning, to policy development, through execution, Evergreen makes sure that what gets planned gets done.

Leaders in insurance, finance, healthcare and retail rely on Evergreen to address today's major business challenges including: making ITIL and COBIT operable; understanding and organizing their IT assets for better planning and execution; developing automated, streamlined compliance processes and bringing them to life for maximum benefit; and managing complex enterprise change. Global 2000 organizations work with Evergreen for sound strategy, flawless execution and measurable results.