In-Depth
Information has a shelf life
- By Steve Ulfelder
- August 1, 2005
Achieving true information lifecycle management is an awkward process that
includes a discovery phase, and that’s where businesses are using ILM
today, analysts say. Here’s a framework for implementing ILM:
- Establish a baseline. Use SRM software to learn how efficiently
you’re using your storage resources. Experts say you should track utilization
for at least two quarters, and don’t be surprised if you’re using
only 50 percent to 60 percent of available disk space.
- Examine the service-level agreements you have with internal clients.
Jim Franklin, a marketing manager at EMC, stresses that these SLAs need not
be tattooed on anyone’s bicep to be binding: “We find that [IT
groups] often have perceived SLAs with end users, and these are just as real
as formal SLAs,” Franklin says.
- Establish best practices, processes and procedures. These
will vary widely from enterprise to enterprise, analysts say. “Some
companies will store multiple terabytes of MP3s on company storage because
they think it helps employees work better,” says Kris Domich of Dimension
Data. “Others will fire [workers] if they catch them with a single MP3.”
Back to Feature: Information
Management Lifecycle Lives, Finally
About the Author
Steve Ulfelder is a freelance technology and automotive writer.