Competing IT priorities in the SME domain, such as, budget restrictions combined with increased application and customisation demands are pushing IT administrators to breaking point.

New technologies like hyperconverged infrastructure bring light to the end of the tunnel offering improved efficiency, scaling, and management breakthroughs, but the perception can be it is just for the enterprise.

Ironically, this could not be further from the truth. So, what is hyperconvergence and how can SMBs make use of it to kick-start their businesses this year.

Hyperconverged explained

Hyperconvergence is a complex word for a ground-breaking but simple solution.

Combining virtualisation, computer, storage and networking into a single appliance, a hyperconverged IT infrastructure packages everything you need in one easy box, delivering simplicity, high availability, and scalability.

>See also: The rise and impending fall of storage area networks

Unlike traditional infrastructure, hyperconvergence integrates all of the operating systems and hypervisor software with the hardware, ensuring simplicity and ease of use for the SME.

This also reduces the responsibility gap where one vendor can blame system failures on another, and vice-versa.

Simplicity and savings

SMEs can feel disadvantaged when it comes to technology. IT infrastructure can be really expensive, which means that the gap between the larger companies with their equally large budgets and SMEs can easily grow.

Where the IT budget cannot be increased, SMEs should look for a true hyperconverged solution.

Converged and even some “hyperconverged” solutions require third party virtualisation software licensing on top of the solution cost. But, with a true hyperconverged solution, where the hypervisor is seamlessly integrated, you do not need to purchase virtualisation software or licenses from any vendor, reducing both cost and complexity.

A more productive ‘IT department’

From computers to mobiles, almost everything is connected and generating data. Many SMEs are left wondering how they will manage their data efficiently in 2017 and how to create a simple, scalable data centre without an IT department.

Statistics show that the vast majority of SMEs have limited IT staff (either one or between two and four) dedicated to IT infrastructure.

In such organisations, staff are required to assume multiple roles, often being responsible for many areas of the environment, including networking, servers, storage, and virtualisation. This can leave staff unable to address concerns, such as security, or to seize new opportunities.

>See also: RPA and the role of the CIO

One of the promises of a hyperconverged infrastructure is the simplification of the data centre environment, making it easier for smaller numbers of staff to better support the entire environment.

Built for easy deployment hyperconverged environments free up the IT administrators’ time, ensuring they can be more productive, rather than troubleshooting infrastructure and hardware issues.

Without the distractions of managing complex traditional infrastructures, IT staff can focus both on the crucial IT concerns such as security and on new technology for to advance the business addressing marketing, finance, and the customer experience.

Growth

And what of growth? Some SMEs might fear that a solution designed from the small and medium sized business will hold them back as they scale.

But, once deployed the new hyperconverged solution, will save your business time and money meaning you can dedicate more time and resource to the actual running of your business.

What follows then is business growth, which brings us back full circle to your IT. How can you scale your IT so that it can keep up with the data and business growth?

>See also: Fortune telling: what’s in store for the data centre in 2017

Fortunately, hyperconverged solutions are designed with scaling in mind with modular systems that allow you to seamlessly add on nodes. This means you can scale as you grow, rather than having to outlay ahead for any future expansion.

As the reader will know, the future is uncertain, so your technology needs to be agile.

For 2017, SMEs should focus on ensuring they have the technology to support their business, their budget, their IT team and their future growth for the new year.

Hyperconvergence will deliver this foundation for enhanced efficiency and productivity.

Sourced by Johan Pellicaan, MD EMEA, Scale Computing