The simple, well understood benefits of implementing efficiencies across the business and IT have profound ripple effects—we only need to look for them. Less physical does not imply less logical. As long as we do not inhibit our ability to use and access data as we require, eliminating or consolidating physical assets can only provide value. In fact, less physical data living and moving over our “plumbing” and through our process engines means we can move more virtual instances of that data into even more areas of our business, which in turn drives even more value. This is a positive cycle that feeds and leverages a basic truth: less is better than more. Business, operations, and IT professionals can start the process of gaining additional efficiency leverage by asking simple questions as they are making common decisions, such as:

• Does the solution I am considering have any additional benefits upstream or downstream beyond the immediate problem I am trying to solve? If so, what are they? Recognizing incremental benefits can help you to further justify your decision or to put new light on alternative offerings.
• Does the solution I am considering have any multiplying effects when implemented? If I am solving one problem, in what other areas am I able to gain leverage? If I solve a backup problem by leveraging deduplication technology, am I also driving other benefits such as remote office consolidation or security?
• Am I solving an immediate problem only to create yet another problem for myself? Even if that is what you are forced to do, knowing can be helpful.
• Does the solution I am considering position us to achieve our long-term growth strategies? Or does it simply band-aid a problem without delivering leverage?
• Am I using technology as an enabler to the upstream drivers and the downstream infrastructure? Have I changed the processes around the technology?

By fully considering all of the positive and negative potential issues created or helped by a single decision, you will find yourself more prepared to handle the issues of today—and those that will arise tomorrow.

The simple, well understood benefits of implementing efficiencies across the business and IT have profound ripple effects—we only need to look for them. Less physical does not imply less logical. As long as we do not inhibit our ability to use and access data as we require, eliminating or consolidating physical assets can only provide value. In fact, less physical data living and moving over our “plumbing” and through our process engines means we can move more virtual instances of that data into even more areas of our business, which in turn drives even more value. This is a positive cycle that feeds and leverages a basic truth: less is better than more. Business, operations, and IT professionals can start the process of gaining additional efficiency leverage by asking simple questions as they are making common decisions, such as:

• Does the solution I am considering have any additional benefits upstream or downstream beyond the immediate problem I am trying to solve? If so, what are they? Recognizing incremental benefits can help you to further justify your decision or to put new light on alternative offerings.
• Does the solution I am considering have any multiplying effects when implemented? If I am solving one problem, in what other areas am I able to gain leverage? If I solve a backup problem by leveraging deduplication technology, am I also driving other benefits such as remote office consolidation or security?
• Am I solving an immediate problem only to create yet another problem for myself? Even if that is what you are forced to do, knowing can be helpful.
• Does the solution I am considering position us to achieve our long-term growth strategies? Or does it simply band-aid a problem without delivering leverage?
• Am I using technology as an enabler to the upstream drivers and the downstream infrastructure? Have I changed the processes around the technology?

By fully considering all of the positive and negative potential issues created or helped by a single decision, you will find yourself more prepared to handle the issues of today—and those that will arise tomorrow.