ABSTRACT
Single tier is the prevalent option, and because of that, rolling up actual storage costs and assigning those costs to various business units was not a gainful use of time or energy. Understandably, few IT departments captured expenses and even fewer communicated those expenses to business units. There are a few rare and exceptional IT departments who do roll up storage costs and bill-back departments. Business units should understand associated risks if they are to cooperate. It is useful and appropriate to present business units with a before-and-after picture of risk. Help business units with clear information and alternative approaches to improve. IT departments should know the cost of the storage they consume. They should be presented with options to reduce storage-related spending. IT technical folks will likely push to avoid work and risk by keeping single-tier storage.
