Virtacore has developed vInsight, a methodology for analyzing an organization's IT infrastructure and mapping workloads to a customized cloud solution. The vInsight methodology involves collecting server utilization data, analyzing costs and performance, and mapping workloads between physical and virtual environments. It recommends a path to the cloud tailored to the organization's needs. vInsight can help organizations maximize their cloud investments whether they choose Virtacore or another provider.

1. vInsight™
The Essential Guide on Your Path to the Cloud
In the Cloud, One Size Does Not Fit Most
When it comes to Cloud Computing, there’s clearly no shortage of options. Many
providers, however, take a one-size-fitsmost approach when it comes to offering cloud
solutions. You as the customer are left to determine how much compute power, storage
and other resources your business needs in order to conform to the providers’ offerings.
Why should your business adapt the way it works to conform to technology’s limitations?
At Virtacore, we believe technology should adapt to how your business operates. That’s
why we’ve developed vInsight™.
A Proven Methodology
Virtacore’s vInsight Utilization Analysis and Design enables us to develop a path to the
Cloud that’s tailored to your organization’s unique needs. Our own proven methodology,
vInsight was developed based on nearly a decade of experience in the design and
implementation of custom virtualization solutions.
Each vInsight study follows a clearly defined, formalized process that consists of four stages:
Stage 1: Data Collection
For a period of 2 to 4 weeks, we collect data from each of the servers in consideration
for virtualization. This gives us a good picture of each server’s utilization of CPU,
memory, disk, and more. We meet with the application owners and developers to
make sure we understand workload dependencies, instead of just mapping them to
a server. We just don’t collect raw data, we understand workloads down to their disk
I/O requirements, the biggest challenge in cloud/virtualization. We can also gather
specifications on power consumption, warranty left on server, how old the server is,
how much power it consumes – details very few organizations even know themselves.
Stage 2: Analysis
Depending on the size and scope of the environment, our experts thoroughly analyze
the data collected in Stage 1. Our models assess your power costs, hardware refresh
costs, and many other key factors to calculate the return on investment for your
Cloud implementation.
Stage 3: Workload Mapping
A detailed workload mapping from physical to virtual, storage, switching, security
and more is determined based on the analysis completed in Stage 2. We take into
consideration the type of Cloud (public, private, hybrid) that will best address your
workload needs. Because we understand the application flow, we’re also able to map
to a cluster and make sure we leave enough headroom for growth.
Stage 4: ‘Path to the Cloud’ Recommendation
Our analysis and recommended workload mapping are compiled in a report and
presented to your team. Our experts then work with you to define a timeline and
implementation plan to make your transition to the Cloud easy and effective. If you
decide to move forward with a Virtacore cloud solution, a portion of the cost of the
study may be credited back towards the cost of your implementation.
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2. vInsight™
Knowledge is Power
The information gleamed from vInsight will prove invaluable as you make your move
to the Cloud, whether you ultimately choose Virtacore Systems as your provider or not.
For those organizations that have already begun to leverage Cloud solutions, vInsight can
also be an ideal checkpoint of where to go next in order to maximize the return on your
Cloud Computing investments.
Learn More
Your IT infrastructure is the backbone of your business. As you consider how best to
transition some or all of that infrastructure to the Cloud, let vInsight be your guide.
For more information, visit www.virtacore.com/vinsight or call 1-888-5-SERVER.
About Virtacore Systems
Virtacore Systems, founded in 2002, delivers world-class, cost-effective managed hosting
and Cloud solutions tailored to each customer’s unique needs. Virtacore was acquired
in 2009 by IKANO Communications, a leading enabler of Internet services backed by
Insight Venture Partners. Over 10,000 virtual environments are managed by Virtacore in
state-of-the-art top tier Equinix facilities throughout North America and the UK. Virtacore
is one of a select few VMware partners to offer solutions built on VMware’s vCloud™
Express. Virtacore’s customized cloud solutions offer middle market businesses and
organizations enterprise-level service offerings and superior customer support.
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