There are many theories and discussions revolving around the issue of server consolidation today. Over the past 10 years, the increased emphasis on the client/server architecture has resulted in large installations of servers and an increased dependency on servers inside every successful organization. As IT executives grapple with business issues such as efficiency, data center downsizing, ROI reporting and mid- to long- range spending analysis, server consolidation – from both the customer and the vendor perspective – has quickly become a focus of cost reduction and resource optimization.

Network fragility, lack of shared information and general lack of knowledge about where information lies on the servers makes the idea of moving information and server data a frightening thought to most IT executives. Concerns about server downtime, software and hardware conflicts have to be thought through carefully. Increased growth of servers within an organization – either through purchase or perhaps as part of an organizational expansion through acquisition or merger – will only serve to exacerbate the issue over the long term.