Industry news

Virtualisation's costs 'must be analysed before rollout'

Virtualisation deployment contains hidden costs and pitfalls which some companies overlook, an expert warns.

Axispoint's virtualisation expert and former project manager for Windows XP SP2 and XP x64 Edition Brian Shafer claims the implications of rollout may not be realised until after it is underway.

"The reality is that too often the anticipated benefits stream isn't realised because many of the current problems simply don't go away," he states.

Among the issues he identifies are the technology's impact on companies' Exchange environments, firms' ability to reduce platform costs and issues with support overheads.

Warning businesses to prepare, plan carefully and implement solutions which suit their business, Mr Shafer states it is important to deploy virtualisation with realistic expectations.

Last month, IDC predicted virtualisation was "reaching maturation" and suggested smaller firms were beginning to deploy the advance.

Research analyst for system software at the company Brett Waldman said there are fewer opportunities to engage in high-volume consolidation now many companies have already begun investing in this.