Virtualization is not an IT trend, nor is it a new process.  For many companies these days, it is a new and rewarding trend, as more and more are investing in virtualization technologies for their many great benefits.  The process of virtualization is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses while boosting efficiency and swiftness for companies of all sizes.

Virtualization is a software-based process that essentially creates a representation of something, whether it’s applications, servers, networks, storage, etc.  This means that the workloads happening on servers are no longer tied to a specific piece of physical hardware. Virtualizing also means that many virtual workloads can take place at the same time on a single piece of machinery.  The process has proven to be a profound technological solution for IT management, as its capabilities go beyond anything previously thought possible within a physical infrastructure.

The benefits of virtualization are immediate and game-changing for companies, and it’s easy to understand why.  From higher server application rates in the data center to energy savings, to lower costs and beyond, every company can benefit from a virtual infrastructure.  Let’s take a closer look at some of these sophisticated benefits:

  • Lightning Fast Computing – Virtualization means faster server modifications and execution, which allows you to clone an existing virtual machine within minutes instead of the costly, long hours more traditional processes take that require the installation of a new physical server.  Everyone knows that time is money, and the time and costs of physical modifications add up quickly. That’s why datacenter virtualization has become absolutely essential to modern businesses who wish to keep up with the surge of data resources that are necessary to not only stay with the times but keep pace with your competition.  
  • Increased Productivity – When you have fewer physical servers to manage, you don’t have to spend as much time and effort maintaining them.  Management and maintenance that may have once taken days or even weeks only takes minutes through a virtualized platform.  This means that your IT staff has more time to focus on other tasks that actually contribute more to your company’s overall productivity and bottom line.     
  • Reduced Hardware & Energy Costs – The implementation of a virtualized server (also known as a cloud computing approach) means that you’re able to increase hardware utilization.  This happens simply because a single physical server is now able to, through the switch, hold multiple virtual machines. It’s no longer necessary for your applications to reside on their own server because each virtual machine on the physical server takes them over.  Everything is consolidated. Of course, this consolidation also means that cooling and power costs are significantly reduced so that you can keep that extra cash in your pocket to spend on other areas within your company.
  • Improved Disaster Recovery –  One of the greatest benefits of virtualization is its ability to switch between servers and create a replication site quickly, effectively and safely.  Most of these platforms are built with software that automates recovery during a disaster. Even more impressive, the software allows you to test disaster recovery data.  So, if the worst should occur, your infrastructure is already set up to take immediate action, and that’s something that physical servers simply can’t do.

The process of virtualization yields so many fantastic benefits that, these days, you almost can’t afford not to make the transformation.  With virtually instant computation, lower costs, higher productivity, and built-in disaster recovery, you can take your company into the future and on to the next level.