Guest Blog: Top Reasons Why MSPs Need to Consider Hyper-Convergence

IT infrastructure is undergoing a major transformation, thanks to developments such as software-defined networks, as-a-service models and hyper-convergence. The ultimate goal of this transformation is to centralize and automate as many functions as possible.

As such, this is tailor-made for MSPs, whose mission is to centralize management and leverage repeatable processes to minimize downtime for end clients. And while not all MSPs have a comprehensive approach to managing and monitoring infrastructure–some clients prefer to retain control of pieces of their networks–you should strive to handle as many components as possible to deliver maximum value to clients.

That’s why MSPs should seriously consider hyper-convergence, which for an increasing number of clients presents a straightforward, cost-effective approach to managing a company’s infrastructure–or, at least, parts of it, such as storage or networking. Here are three compelling reasons to educate yourself on hyper-converged technology and introduce it to your end clients:

1. Simplified Management

Hyper-convergence leverages virtualization technology to place multiple data center management functions in a turnkey, easy-to-manage appliance. In some cases, a pre-built hyper-converged solution can be deployed as a node in a virtual SAN.

Deployment is simple and typically takes only a few hours because all of the necessary software components are pre-installed and pre-tested. Once in place, the hyper-converged solution gives MSPs full visibility across the environment and automates routine functions. And–increasingly–systems can proactively heal themselves when a failure occurs. For MSPs, that’s as close to nirvana as it gets.

2. Central Application Management

Just about any business application can be run from a hyper-converged environment, with some exceptions for certain high-performance applications. In most scenarios, however, a hyper-converged infrastructure can handle all of a company’s workloads without compromising performance.

The ability to support all of an organization’s critical applications from a single, centralized platform is undeniably compelling in an area of IT that has traditionally been overrun with silos that add complexity and cost. In a managed services environment, uniformity and centralization are always welcome.

3. Business Agility

The ultimate goal for the ongoing infrastructure transformation is to improve operations so businesses can accelerate go-to-market strategies to better respond to the market’s evolutionary shifts. Hyper-convergence leverages virtualization and software-defined models to increase flexibility, scalability and–therefore–business agility.

Any MSP that can facilitate clients’ efforts to boost business agility by managing a hyper-converged infrastructure for them stands to score points on customer retention and loyalty. With that in mind, MSPs should identify opportunities to introduce the technology to their clients, especially if they are struggling to adapt to new market pressures and need a boost in flexibility and scalability.

For more on the ways in which hyper-converged infrastructure is simplifying the data center and removing compromise from consideration, click here.