ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the core activities and functions that together represent the major expenses in operating a data center. Data center managers must maintain the highest possible level of economic efficiency in the data center. If the data center provides computational support for remote locations, the data center manager should consider analyzing its expenditures for voice and data communications. The data center manager can control hardware maintenance through: Third-party maintenance, conversion of on-site to on-call support and replacing old equipment with newer, more sophisticated products. For most organizations, direct and indirect payroll expenses over time significantly exceed all other costs associated with data center operations. Two of the more cost-effective methods managers should consider are a lights-out operation and downsizing. Line item expenses associated with software are generally subdivided into purchase and lease products. Disk Management Software enhances the data center's ability to allocate online storage to users and to back up data onto tapes or cartridges.
