In deciding to move forward with our new managed services platform, Logikworx has selected the HP Proliant ML350, currently in G6 guise, as the management server to be deployed at all client locations and branch offices.
According to Rod Kowalsky, VP of Operations, it was an surprisingly easy choice from a three-competitor field. “For this bakeoff, we looked at the Dell PowerEdge, which had served us admirably in the past, and two models from the Proliant ML range, the ML110, and the ML350. When we ran our tests based on the criteria that mattered to us.
Webserf: Can you reveal the criteria, or it is secret?
RK: Most of them are the basics: performance, reliability, expandability, headroom, suitability to the proposed tasks, and a couple of other points.
Webserf: I see that the WORXservers were not in contention. Is there a reason why?
John Obeto: 5 years ago, I made a decision that we wouldn’t be in the white-box business any more. Building and supporting them just wasn’t economically feasible any longer. Since we were using Proliants and pleased with them, we decided to use them. That is still the case.
Webserf: The ML350 then fits the bill?
RK: Yes. We ordered G6 versions of the ML servers and worked them. While the ML110 would have been a good replacement, the ML350 allows us to do more.
John Obeto: We are moving from the 3rd-party management platform we have been using to a custom management suite/platform that we jointly developed with a software partner. This suite will allow us to be more nimble in managing both clients and servers at customer locations, and testing new features or functionality we might want to roll out.
The ML350 allows very utilization rates. Remember, these servers have to be in place for a minimum of five years, before the glimmer of a thought of replacing them occurs.
Webserf: In other words, this is a big deal?
John Obeto: Indeed, it is. Going with a specific platform across all our customer companies, with the only variation being CPU models, brings a homogeneity that makes management of our customers’ infrastructure a lot easier.
You also have to realize that this is part of a service delivery restructuring we have ongoing. As a result, this decision, without giving away any secrets – you can stop glaring at me, Rod! – is for a minimum of a few thousand servers over a three year period, as current servers are replaced. These are the management servers we use for our on-premise MSP operations at all client locations, including their branch offices. These are not the systems used in our customer’s computing infrastructure, though there is a 100% likelihood that they would be Proliants.
The replacements costs are built into the contracts our clients have/will have in force with us, in case you are wondering.
Webserf: As with Logikworx policy, the old systems will be deprecated, flushed, flashed, and then repurposed for needy school kids in Nigeria.
Rod Kowalsky is vice-president of Operations for Logikworx, and has been with Logikworx for 10 years.
John Obeto is CEO & Chief Technology Officer of Logikworx.