Aperture VISTA

The Aperture VISTA platform is an information management and workflow platform specifically targeted to tasks involved with the management and provisioning of data center equipment. The system is Web server (Windows 2003) based, with users able to access the platform via Web browsers.

Using Aperture VISTA, data center personnel can input and track information regarding current data center equipment deployment and usage in a visual manner. Viewing screens of the system allow for the examination of the percentage of floor space usage by data center, and point and click operations allow the user to drill down to the individual device level within a specified data center. At each viewing stage, the data center and/or device layout is displayed graphically and to scale. When drilling down to a specific server for example, the user could click first on the selected data center, then on the appropriate rack row (from an overhead graphical representation of the racks in the data center), and then on the device itself (from a to-scale graphical depiction of the actual devices present in the rack). Color coding in the system can be used to highlight key devices; such as those whose maintenance contracts are about to expire, or those that have been deemed "critical" to overall business operations.

At the individual device level, switch ports can be displayed graphically and color coded as to whether the port has been provisioned for use. Additionally, similar graphical representations are available to power managers, allowing them to provision power by breaker and additionally see (again, via color coded depictions) which devices are currently routed through which breakers and therefore avoid overloading when provisioning new equipment. Individual devices can be searched for and located on the graphical displays by a number of qualifiers, including IP address, asset number, serial number, etc.; and data can (of course) be presented in text data formats in addition to graphical displays, allowing for the collection and retention of information such as maintenance history, manufacturer and model, etc.

Maintaining the data in the system is largely accomplished through included workflow tools. Installation requests, for example, can be submitted via provided Web forms, which are then routed through space, power, and networking provision steps before being approved for final installation. At each step, appropriate personnel can use the graphical displays to select and reserve resources within the appropriate data center. When installation is complete, Aperture VISTA automatically updates this configuration information and the accompanying graphical depictions in the information repository.

Originally a single product, Aperture VISTA is now a suite of tools, including:

- VISTA Data Center Configuration Management, the primary configuration management database (CMDB) tool with reporting, analytics, visual interactions, etc.

- VISTA Capacity Management, for the analysis of consumption trends and prediction of future data center requirements

- VISTA Infrastructure Process Management, for the definition and execution of work plans

- VISTA Infrastructure Monitoring, a single-view product providing real-time data center status data (including alerting and alarms) such as power, cooling, etc.

- VISTA Data Capture Handheld, which provides a handheld platform for the gathering and inputting of data center infrastructure data

- VISTA Integration Management, the newest entry in the suite, for the integration of VISTA with 3rd party ITSM systems.

Each of the modules are sold separately; with most requiring VISTA Data Center Configuration Management (VISTA Infrastructure Monitoring is an exception). Product bundles are also available.

Aperture VISTA is available now, with pricing starting at $18/per square foot and dropping with volume.

Contact Aperture Technologies for further information.