VI Too Easy? Too Easy To Screw-UP! YES.

So people have begun to see the value proposition in VMware and virtualization in general. But goodness. It is so easy to screw up the config and have it still perform! That speaks to the strength of the platform though. So how do we as VCP's and IT professionals change the CIO's and CTO's from ordering the "underlings" to deploy this great new technology when they don't even have a clue? We provide "Thought Leadership". We can give the concepts. Phil over at Joe the Consultant brings up a number of good points in one of his early blog posts titled "Why, Whatever shall we do?". In these tough economic times it's tough to see the value in bringing in a consultant to "just install ESX". But that is the problem. As consultants CTO's and CIO's need to recognize that we bring a whole HOST of services. Understanding both the technology and it's management so that the "corner stone" of your computing infrastructure can be managed and maintained in a proper manner. Is it too costly to spend 3-5000$ in the early stages to build it properly or 4 times that once it's running and the internal staff has hit a brick wall?

Front-loading time into design and understanding ALWAYS pays off during implementation.

So if you as a CIO or CTO are thinking about moving "Full-Speed" into virtualization, then please consider bringing in a consultant and tapping into their experience before starting out. They can guide you in your needs for Network Connectivity, Storage, and overall build practices. That money you spend up front will be easily recovered in NOT making common mistakes. This consultant can then work with you to determine a training path for your internal staff in order maintain the vision. Build a road mapped solution. Point solutions will only last for a short time and in the end will not provide either your internal clients OR your external clients the needed service that you can deliver.