Virtualization: What can it offer my business?

In recent years, virtualization strategies have become increasingly popular. After all, the prospect of being able to do more with the resources the business already has on hand can be quite enticing. However, some decision-makers are still unsure about virtualization despite is growth in the enterprise sector.

According to Big Think, in 2013, nearly half – 45 percent – of all server workloads were virtualized. In the years since then, that number has considerably increased, and by the end of this year, experts predict that more than 70 percent of workloads will be virtualized.

But what, exactly, is spurring this growing use of virtualization? The approach can offer a number of advantages for businesses, especially when deployed with a partner that is not only a service provider, but a partner as well. Let’s examine all the advantages that a virtualization strategy can offer your organization:

1) Hardware flexibility
What many prospective users don’t understand about virtualization is its ability to separate the hardware from the actual operating system being used, enabling available computing resources to be utilized more efficiently. The environment is software-based instead of hardware-based, which provides more freedom as far as the overall infrastructure goes.

“By allowing several virtual machines with multiple operating systems to run in isolation – basically adjacent to each other on the same physical hardware – each individual ‘virtual machine’ has, in essence, its own set of virtual hardware,” wrote Pluralsight blog contributor Gosia Grabowska. “[I]t is the ability to separate hardware from a single operating system, thus providing better IT resources utilization, greater application flexibility and hardware independence.”

2) Software-as-a-service
Big Think also pointed out that virtualization enabled support for the software-as-a-service marketplace, allowing smaller organizations access to enterprise-level programs that might have been too costly in the past. Previously, businesses had to purchase the software, install it on their own infrastructures, download updates and fully maintain the programs all on their own. Now, however, this architecture has changed thanks to virtualization. Businesses can access software through a virtual environment in a much more cost-effective manner.

3) Consolidation: Using hardware more effectively
Another advantage of utilizing virtualization is the ability to consolidate hardware so that computing resources are used more efficiently. Oracle noted that in the past, it was common practice to dedicate an entire server to a single application, even if that program didn’t require a full server’s worth of computing power. Virtualization allows the IT team to consolidate servers that are not being utilized to the fullest, ensuring that no power or resources go to waste.

With virtualization, server resources can be utilized in a more efficient manner.

“For organizations that own hundreds or thousands of servers, consolidation can dramatically reduce the need for floor space, HVAC, A/C power and colocation resources,” Oracle pointed out. “This means the cost of ownership is reduced significantly, since less physical servers and floor and rack space are required, which in turn leads to less heat and power consumption, and ultimately a smaller carbon footprint.”

4) Anywhere, anytime access to critical information
Perhaps one of the most attractive benefits of virtualization is the ability to ensure that workers have round-the-clock access to important materials from wherever they may be operating. This means that employees in the office, as well as those out on the road or working from home, can still utilize the essential programs and resources they need to complete critical tasks. This can not only serve to enhance productivity, but can offer increased flexibility for staff members that travel frequently or prefer to work from a home office.

While these advantages are no doubt enticing, the most impactful benefits come when virtualization is implemented with an expert partner like iT1 Source. As a leader in the virtualization space, iT1 Source can help ensure that the approach brings all these uses and more.

To find out more about how virtualization can benefit your company, please be sure to contact iT1 today.