In reality how do people get data? (14 of 15. Data, data everywhere but not a bit to use)

Now the reality....

You have requests for data and you don’t have time to learn all these systems to get data out.  So what do you do?

Make the experts supply you with the data, after all it’s their SAN/network/application.

It sounds like a simple task but how do you get the data from them?

From other internal teams – Make sure that you set up Processes and reprimands.

From the outsourcer – If that’s not internal it needs to be down on paper before things get signed.  Most of the time they will have monitoring tools and you’ll be blocked from deploying yours.  So make them use their tools, particularly if that tool was bought partly because “it does capacity planning”. Have it in the contract and enforce it.

You will need a sponsor, someone who can make this happen.  Messer's Smith and Wesson are probably not the way to go, but without budget, time OR a sponsor making others get you the data - it’s not looking good out there.

I'll conclude my series on Thursday with a look back at the main points to remember when trying to gather data for capacity management.

Phil Bell

Consultant