By Jeff Lamothe, principal services solutions consultant

Pure Storage, Inc.’s technology along with firm’s Professional Services can help make eradicating change management outages a reality, transforming executive aspirations into tangible operational outcomes.

Executives who invest in Pure’s technologies don’t do so just for the advanced features – they’re also looking for the assurance of uninterrupted operations. Our bold statement to ‘Eradicate change management outages forever’ embodies our commitment to achieving this goal.

Let’s explore how Pure’s technology along with Professional Services can make this a reality, transforming executive aspirations into tangible operational outcomes.

What are change management outages? Understanding the challenge
Change management outages are disruptions caused by modifications in IT systems, whether it’s implementing new hardware, updating software, or integrating different technologies. These outages can result in significant downtime, data loss, and financial setbacks, undermining the confidence of stakeholders and customers alike.

How non-disruptive upgrades (NDUs) eradicate change management outages
‘Eradicating change management outages forever’ is possible through NDUs and is a game-changer for both technology companies and their executive customers. Investing in technology that includes NDUs is not just about acquiring new features; it’s about ensuring BC, enhancing operational efficiency, and future-proofing their organizations in an increasingly cloud-centric world, such as:

• Uninterrupted operations: No change management outages related to storage or associated failures is crucial. When critical operations and services can continue without interruption, enterprises can maintain continuous business operations.

• Enhanced reliability and stability: NDUs contribute to a more reliable and stable IT infrastructure, which is essential to building a resilient business that can withstand the dynamic challenges of the digital world.

• Elimination of tech debt: The ability to avoid the pitfalls of end-of-life technology and tech debt is a significant advantage. It ensures that executives are not bogged down by outdated systems, allowing them to focus on innovation and growth.

• Reduced need for downtime: The requirement for application downtime windows is greatly diminished, removing the need to coordinate extensively with application teams for updates or apologize for outages. This means better internal relationships and enhanced productivity.

• Flexibility across environments: The capability to move up and down the technology stack, whether on premises or in the cloud, in a frictionless manner is invaluable. This flexibility is a critical aspect for executives who are looking to leverage the best of both worlds – on-premises control and cloud scalability.

Impact of human error and role of advanced professional services
Human error is another significant factor in IT outages, with various studies suggesting that it accounts for anywhere between 20% to 80% of IT outages, depending on the industry and specific IT environment. While the exact figure varies, it’s widely acknowledged that human error is a leading cause of downtime in IT systems. 

Recognizing this, Advanced Professional Services plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks and reducing the human element in change management by offering workshops and training. These not only help in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and risk mitigation but also streamline change management processes by refining and automating processes through a structured approach to system updates and modifications, further reducing the scope of human error.

Proactive risk assessment and planning (operational readiness workshops)
Pure Storage Advanced Services conducts workshops that can help identify areas where human error is most likely to occur. By proactively addressing these vulnerabilities, these services can reduce the likelihood of outages.

Implementing automated solutions (automation workshops)
Automation is key in minimizing human intervention in routine and complex tasks. Pure Storage Advanced Services can implement automated processes for updates, backups, and other critical operations, thereby reducing the potential for human error.

Customized training and skill development (technical account manager [TAM] and resident services)
Ensuring that IT staff members are well-trained and knowledgeable about the latest technologies and best practices is another area where Professional Services contributes. Tailored training programs elevate the skill level of personnel, reducing the chances of errors due to lack of knowledge or experience.

Continuous monitoring and support (observability workshops)
Technical Support Services provides ongoing monitoring and support, ensuring that any potential issues are identified and addressed before they lead to outages. This continuous vigilance is crucial in maintaining system stability and performance.

Role of Pure Professional Services
In addition to workshops and training, Pure Professional Services offers a multifaceted approach to help eliminate change management outages:

• Proactive planning and risk assessment: Prior to any change implementation, a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure is conducted. This includes identifying potential risks and devising strategies to mitigate them, ensuring minimal disruption during the transition.

• Seamless integration of technologies: One of the core strengths of Storage Advanced Services is the ability to seamlessly integrate new hardware and software into existing systems. This integration is meticulously planned and executed to ensure compatibility and functionality, reducing the risk of outages.

• Automated testing and deployment: Automation plays a key role in minimizing human error, which is a common cause of change management outages. Automated testing protocols are implemented to ensure all systems are fully functional before, during, and after the change. Automated deployment tools further streamline the transition process.

• Continuous monitoring and support: Post-implementation, continuous monitoring is essential to promptly identify and resolve any issues. Storage Advanced Services offers round-the-clock support and monitoring, ensuring any potential disruptions are quickly addressed.

• Customized solutions: Recognizing that each organization has unique needs, Storage Advanced Services tailors its approach to fit the specific requirements of each client. This customization ensures that the solutions provided are not only effective but also aligned with the organization’s objectives.

• Building a resilient infrastructure: Beyond immediate integration, the services focus on building a resilient and scalable infrastructure that can adapt to future changes with minimal disruptions. This forward-thinking approach is key to eradicating change management outages in the long term.

Part 2: Enhancing data protection and recovery: what is operationalization and what are its benefits?

This part 2 dives into operationalization, its benefits, and how Professional Services can help integrate FlashArray and FlashBlade into an everyday operational framework.

Operationalization, in the context of technology, refers to the process of integrating FlashArray or FlashBlade features into the everyday operational framework of an organization. This goes beyond initial setup, delving into ongoing management, optimization, monitoring and alerting, and alignment with data protection policies and recovery objectives. Such integration boosts data protection and recovery capabilities significantly.

Operationalization is crucial for customers as it:

• Enhances efficiency by streamlining operations and reducing redundancy
• Improves data security, by ensuring consistent application of security measures to protect sensitive information
• Facilitates compliance, helping organizations adhere to regulatory standards and avoid potential legal and financial penalties
• Optimizes resource utilization, maximizing existing resources and reducing the need for additional investments

Challenges in achieving operationalization
Achieving operationalization presents several challenges:

• Complex integration: Seamlessly integrating new technologies with existing systems can be a complex process even with the simplest of platforms. These complexities revolve around processes and policies driven by the customer, thereby customizing the solutions into complex process and change management platforms. 
• Skill gaps: Specialized knowledge and training is needed to utilize advanced technology features effectively.
• Organizational resistance: Changes in operational procedures can face resistance from staff accustomed to traditional methods.
• Keeping pace with technology: Rapidly advancing technology requires organizations to continuously adapt and update their operational strategies.

How to operationalize FlashArray and FlashBlade with data protection automation for optimal results
In the realm of data management, addressing often overlooked areas can lead to improvements in operational efficiency and security. Operationalizing data protection and recovery processes using FlashArray or FlashBlade snapshots and replication, especially when integrated with automation, is a strategic approach that yields multiple benefits.

Let’s look at some of the comprehensive strategies and multifaceted benefits they can deliver. 

Efficient data protection with snapshots and replication:

• Instant, automated snapshots: Utilizing FlashArray and FlashBlade snapshots for instant snapshots ensures rapid and efficient data protection, reducing recovery time in case of data loss or corruption.
• Space-efficient and cost-effective: Automated incremental snapshots minimize storage requirements, thereby reducing operational costs.
• Simplified and reliable management: Automated snapshot management ensures consistency and reliability across all data sets and systems, reducing the risk of human errors.

Robust replication for enhanced data security:

• Automated data redundancy: Continuous, automated replication to secondary systems ensures data redundancy, enhancing data integrity and protection.
• Seamless DR: Automation in disaster recovery operations facilitates meeting stringent RTOs, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal downtime.
• Flexible replication to meet evolving needs: Automated replication schemes are adaptable, making them suitable for evolving business requirements and increasing data volumes.

Integration and proactive problem management:

• Automated integration with existing systems: Automating the integration of FlashArray and FlashBlade into existing IT environments aids in maintaining consistent data protection strategies, enhancing scalability without compromising on quality.
• Proactive monitoring and support: Continuous monitoring and support through automation helps in proactive problem management, pre-empting potential data loss events.

Enhancing security and compliance:

• Immutable snapshots for data security: Automated creation of immutable snapshots is crucial in protecting against ransomware attacks, ensuring data security and integrity.
• Secure replication processes: Maintaining strong security protocols during automated replication ensures compliance with regulatory standards and facilitates easier auditing.

Operational efficiency and strategic focus:

• Reduced operational and storage costs: By automating space-efficient snapshots, organizations can achieve cost savings, both in terms of storage and operational expenses.
• Strategic allocation of IT resources: Automation frees up IT staff from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth.

Empowering organizations with advanced workshops and services
Our suite of workshops and services is tailored to empower organizations in operationalizing technology efficiently:

• Operational readiness advanced workshop: This workshop equips teams with the skills to seamlessly integrate new technology into existing operations, ensuring readiness and minimizing disruptions.
• SafeMode workshop: A specialized session focusing on the features of FlashArray, like snapshot and replication, to enhance data recovery and protection.
• QuickStart service: A rapid deployment service designed to get your FlashArray features up and running, ensuring immediate operational benefits.
• Automation workshop: Streamlining operations by teaching teams how to effectively automate repetitive tasks, leading to efficiency and error reduction.
• Observability workshop: This workshop provides insights into monitoring and managing technology infrastructure, ensuring proactive problem management.
• Customized service offerings: Tailored services that cater to the unique needs of different organizations, providing specific solutions to operational challenges.

Professional Services can help businesses operationalize technology efficiently, forging a more robust and reliable IT environment that’s ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Resource :
About how Pure Professional Services can help you transform your vision into an operational reality.