ACADEMIA

Dell announced the Data Center Environment Assessment, a new service offering designed to help customers effectively plan and utilize their data centers as they build more advanced technology infrastructures. The Ira and Mary Lou Fulton Supercomputing Center at Brigham Young University (BYU) used a prototype of Dell's assessment service while planning for its three-room, 630 node supercomputing cluster. The assessment service helps customers analyze their current data centers and appropriately design for air flow and power requirements of more demanding server environments. "As the trend shifts toward denser server environments, a new level of preparation becomes a key part of protecting and leveraging technology investments," said Gary Cotshott, vice president and general manager, Dell Services. "This service helps customers realize the full value of their server and storage systems." The Environment Assessment service is designed for business and institutional customers whose data centers range from small 200 square-feet to large 10,000+ square-foot environments. Pricing for the fixed-scope, fixed-price offering starts at $5,000 and increases depending on customer needs. The service, being announced simultaneously with Dell's new PowerEdge 6800 and PowerEdge 6850 servers, is now available in the United States and is expected to be available throughout the Americas and Europe later this year. Services Enhance Relationships with Customers Dell's Environment Assessment service is the latest addition to Dell's expanding portfolio of enterprise technology products and services. This service enhances relationships between Dell and its customers. "With a new installation of this size, an assessment like the one Dell offers is very valuable," said Dave Stirling, Supercomputing Administrator at BYU. "The assessment was objective and Dell was very scientific in its approach." BYU uses its cluster for a wide range of research and computing functions in areas like chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, integrative biology, physics and industrial design. Pricing, specifications, availability, and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes, fees, and shipping and handling charges are extra, and vary. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors.