Are you running a superior virtualization effort? You're ngoing to need the measurements to prove it. A recent study by IDC examines metrics that IT leaders can use to nbenchmark how well they're managing virtualization. You may be running a superior effort with regards to your virtualized data center, but as with every other IT project, you’re going to need the measurements to prove success. A recent study by IDC examines some metrics that IT leaders can use to benchmark how well they’re managing virtualization. (Source: “Key IT and Business Benchmarks for Managing Virtual Infrastructure;” IDC report by Stephen Elliot and Richard L. Villars.)RELATED LINKS Future Threats to VM Security: Fact vs. Fiction Citrix Seals XenSource Deal, Pressures VMWare Taking Virtual Servers Beyond Data Center Consolidation How Server Virtualization Tools Can Balance Data Center Loads How To Do Virtualization Right Hypervisor for Laptops Could Rock Your Mobile World Make no mistake: Now’s the time to make managing your virtual infrastructure a priority, as you allocate budget and staff, IDC’s Elliott says. Otherwise, you won’t be able to optimize virtualization results or savings, or plan strategically for the future.The study also gives a quick look at where your peers stand with managing virtualization:Management team: 15 percent of IT groups are creating a dedicated team, often called the virtual computing team, that brings together experts from various IT disciplines to manage the overall virtualization effort, IDC finds. 85 percent of enterprises are creating a virtualization management group inside of server and/or storage teams. (This second statistic should serve as a warning bell: Security experts say you need an integrated IT team that includes network, storage and security expertise, as you manage virtualization.)Staffing: How lean is your staff running the virtualized data center? According to IDC, the average VM-to-administrator ratio, or average number of virtual images per administrator, is 200. Process-related cost savings: IDC finds that the average cost-savings for IT groups deploying formal management processes and solutions for their virtual infrastructure is $100,000 to $200,000. The savings result from choices such as applying ITIL-based processes to the virtualization effort.Making use of ITIL: Some 30 percent of IT groups who are implementing ITIL-based processes are making their virtual infrastructure part of the workflow.Getting Strategic: While many enterprises are still grappling with the tactical side of virtualization, business demands for use of virtualization for business continuity and for new applications will mean virtualization management becomes a strategic project within two years of initial deployment. Related content news Concerns remain even as the EU reaches a landmark deal to govern AI Experts believe the new regulation would add a significant compliance burden on businesses as some argue it could even stifle the growth of the rapidly developing technology. By Gagandeep Kaur Dec 11, 2023 7 mins Regulation Regulation Government feature CIOs grapple with the ethics of implementing AI With ethical considerations around AI use increasingly top of mind, IT leaders are developing governance frameworks, establishing review boards, and coming to terms with the difficult discussions and decisions ahead. By Esther Shein Dec 11, 2023 13 mins Generative AI Data Governance IT Governance feature Reed Smith turns to AI for lawyer staffing solution The legal firm’s Smart Resourcing tool helps balance workloads and ensure partners find associates with the right skills and experience, while empowering employees to make connections across the firm’s global footprint. By Sarah K. White Dec 11, 2023 8 mins CIO 100 Legal Digital Transformation news Emirates NBD drives sustainability goals with Microsoft partnership By Andrea Benito Dec 10, 2023 2 mins CIO Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe