In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to optimize their IT infrastructure while minimizing costs. For businesses leveraging Dell EMC’s VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solution, third-party maintenance (TPM) offers a compelling alternative to traditional OEM support. This blog post delves into the key advantages of TPM for your VxRail environment, exploring how it can enhance cost-efficiency, extend equipment lifecycles, and improve overall IT service delivery.

What is VxRail?

VxRail is Dell EMC’s fully integrated, pre-configured, and pre-tested HCI appliance that simplifies the deployment and management of virtualized environments. Built on VMware vSAN and tightly integrated with VMware’s ecosystem, VxRail is designed to consolidate workloads, improve operational efficiency, and enhance performance for enterprise data centers.

Like any IT solution, however, maintaining a VxRail system requires significant resources and expertise, making the choice of a support provider critical.

While VxRail offers a streamlined approach to HCI, its initial configuration can be a complex and time-consuming process. The intricacies of network settings, storage configurations, and VMware cluster setup can present challenges, especially for organizations without extensive VxRail expertise. Additionally, Dell EMC’s support terms often commence the moment a VxRail system arrives at the receiving dock, regardless of when it’s actually deployed. This can lead to situations where organizations are paying for support on idle hardware, potentially increasing overall costs.

The Challenges of OEM Support

VxRail, a joint venture between Dell EMC and VMware, provides a powerful and flexible HCI platform that simplifies the deployment and management of virtualized workloads. It offers a range of benefits, including streamlined operations, and improved scalability. However, like any hardware, VxRail systems eventually reach their end of life (EOL) or end of service life (EOSL).

The complexity of VxRail configurations often leads to prolonged deployment timelines. Several customers report that it takes anywhere from 1 to 1.5 years to fully deploy their VxRail systems after receiving the equipment. This extended deployment phase, coupled with Dell EMC’s practice of initiating support terms upon equipment arrival, can result in significant costs. By the time organizations are ready to fully utilize their VxRail investments, they may already be facing substantial Dell support renewal fees, even though the hardware is still relatively new.

OEM support may not always be as flexible or responsive as desired, potentially leading to longer downtime and increased operational risks.

PreRack Case Study: Cost-Effective IT Support for Higher Education Client

A higher education institution was facing budget constraints and could not afford Dell’s $154,701.00 renewal for their nine-host VxRail environment (that’s $17,189 per server per year), which supported critical applications requiring a 4-hour response time SLA. The customer needed to maintain their critical environment but was unable to justify the high cost of Dell’s renewal for the VXRail P670 systems.

PreRack IT offered an alternative support package at $43,200.00 ($4,800.00 per PF670 per year) for a 24x7x4-hour SLA, which included:

• phone support
• system monitoring
• 4-hour critical parts replacement
• on-site field engineer support

Additionally, we provided VMware 7.x licensing support for $23,400.00 preventing the need for costly VMware 8.0 upgrades.

At the end of the day, The customer received VMware support, a like for like SLA, parts replacement from the same global supply chain, and saved $88,000.00.

The Advantages of Third-Party Maintenance

Third-party maintenance providers specialize in offering cost-effective and high-quality support services for a wide range of IT equipment, including VxRail systems. By choosing a reputable TPM provider, you can unlock several benefits:

1. Significant Cost Savings

One of the most compelling reasons to consider TPM for your VxRail environment is the potential for substantial cost savings. Third-party providers typically offer support contracts at significantly lower rates compared to OEM offerings. These savings can be attributed to factors such as reduced overhead costs, optimized service delivery models, and a focus on efficient resource utilization.

2. Extended Equipment Lifespan

TPM providers often have access to a wider range of spare parts and components, enabling them to extend the lifespan of your VxRail systems beyond their OEM-defined EOL or EOSL dates. By leveraging their expertise and extensive inventory, TPM providers can keep your infrastructure running smoothly and securely for years to come.

3. Enhanced Flexibility and Customization

Unlike OEM support, which often follows a standardized approach, TPM providers offer flexible and customizable support packages tailored to your specific needs. You can choose from a variety of service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure optimal coverage and response times. Additionally, TPM providers can work with you to develop customized maintenance plans that align with your unique business requirements.

4. Improved Service Response Times

TPM providers are often more agile and responsive than OEMs, thanks to their streamlined operations and dedicated support teams. They can typically provide faster response times for troubleshooting and repair issues, minimizing downtime and maximizing system availability.

5. Vendor-Agnostic Expertise

Many TPM providers have a deep understanding of various IT vendors and technologies, including Dell EMC and VMware. This vendor-agnostic expertise allows them to provide comprehensive support for your entire IT infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.

6. Proactive Maintenance and Preventative Measures

TPM providers often employ proactive maintenance strategies to identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach can help prevent unexpected downtime and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Additionally, TPM providers can conduct regular health checks and performance assessments to optimize the overall health and efficiency of your VxRail environment.

7. Environmental Sustainability

By extending the lifespan of your VxRail systems through TPM, you can contribute to a more sustainable IT environment. Reducing the need for frequent hardware replacements helps minimize electronic waste and conserve valuable resources. Additionally, TPM providers often prioritize environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and responsible disposal of IT equipment.

Conclusion

Third-party maintenance offers a compelling solution for organizations seeking to optimize the performance and cost-effectiveness of their VxRail infrastructure. By leveraging the benefits of TPM, you can extend the lifespan of your equipment, reduce maintenance costs, improve service response times, and enhance overall IT service delivery. When choosing a TPM provider, prioritize experience, flexibility, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. By making an informed decision, you can unlock the full potential of your VxRail investment and drive your business forward.