BLOG: Dell Technologies APEX as-a-Service Offerings – Increase IT Agility and Control

April 19th, 2022 BLOG: Dell Technologies APEX as-a-Service Offerings – Increase IT Agility and Control
Bryan Samson
Strategic Alliances Manager

 

Movie night! Going to the multiplex is always a fun night, but it does involve some planning. Generally, you need to research the films now playing, check out the reviews, see what format (3D, Dolby Atmos, IMAX, etc.) is being delivered, find out the start times, reserve seats, and perhaps plan a meal/snacks (must have popcorn with butter, for me). In similar fashion to the multiplex and making your movie selection, Dell is now showing a new multiplex of public, private, and hybrid cloud options, called Dell Technologies APEX, formerly Dell Technologies Cloud.

According to IDC, 84% of businesses want to buy cloud services from a single partner. Let this be your APEX guide to choosing the right cloud theater out of the 3 main as-a-Service (aaS) offerings:

1. APEX Infrastructure Services,
2. APEX Cloud Services, and
3. APEX Custom Solutions.

 

APEX Infrastructure Services

 

APEX Infrastructure Services consists of one initial offering for APEX Data Storage Services at launch. Gartner estimates that, “by 2024, over 50% of newly deployed storage capacity will be sold as-a-Service or on a subscription basis, up from less than 15% in 2020.” Regardless of the future, we all know storage has been growing out of control for over a decade. Wouldn’t it be better to manage your business rather than storage capacities? Dell Data Storage Services can provide Block and File services in 3 Tiers of cost vs performance profiles depending on your data needs. The APEX Console gives you complete control of growth trends and consuming on-demand capacity on the fly. As your needs change, you can increase your commitment to lower your as-a-Service (aaS) per unit costs. Or after the initial term, you can choose to decrease your base capacity if your needs have decreased.

 

APEX Cloud Services

 

APEX Cloud Services is both a private cloud service and a multi-cloud service. When businesses initiate a “cloud-first” strategy, they can create what is known as “cloud sprawl.” This is a by-product of asking disparate departments to look to the public cloud offerings to reduce IT costs. This can certainly reduce upfront costs, but over time will create higher costs in multi-cloud management both in invoicing and hypervisor management. Dell APEX Cloud Services helps you take control of this multi-cloud environment through a proven four-step approach:

1. Strategize
2. Implement
3. Adopt
4. Scale

Mainline, in conjunction with Dell, will work with you through the process of assessing all considerations for each cloud workload. Data needs can include volume, movement, velocity, utilization, sensitivity and redundancy, which effect placement and resource choices. Once a plan is in place and implemented, IT management will have a centralized view of an enterprise private cloud with edge, multiple public clouds, and colocation/alternate locations within that private cloud. This can provide a single view of resources in the APEX console for reduced complexity and costs.

 

APEX Custom Solutions

 

APEX Custom Solutions allows you to create your own on-demand environment.

There are 2 models to consider:

  • APEX Flex on Demand (FoD)
  • APEX Data Center Utility

FoD is a Committed Capacity with Buffer Capacity model, paying for Buffer Capacity as you use it. The Data Center Utility is a highly customizable, pay-per-use model, allowing for maximum scaling flexibility. Both options offer the most secure, complete, and customized option within the APEX offerings. Customers can pick from all types of Dell EMC “Power” products from storage to servers to hyperconverged and deploy in the environment. They also provide centralized management through the APEX console. This can be deployed on-premises or in a colocation facility. The two models vary by the contract terms. If there is an easily identified base capacity, the FoD option could prove to be cost effective. If your business needs highly flexible and variable capacity, then the Utility model may be a better choice offering no minimum base commitment. As with all options, usage will be tracked and billed accordingly.

 

Agility at a Cost

 

Keep in mind, there is a cost for added agility and management simplicity that APEX provides versus a traditional hardware purchase. A direct total acquisition cost comparison will not be a fair assessment. This is truly a Capital Expense (CAPEX) vs Operating Expense (OPEX) discussion and should include balance sheet decision makers as pricing is analyzed. As such, APEX solutions are a Dell Financial Services (DFS) driven sale.

 

More Information

 

Mainline’s enterprise architects can help you choose the right mix of public, private, on and off-premises cloud options and services. We help clients with the decision processso you don’t end up in the wrong theater.

For more information on how we can help you with your Digital Transformation, contact your Mainline Account Representative directly, or reach out to us here with any questions. .

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