Meet the DIAMOND Federated Configuration Management Database (CMDB) Tech Stack
Our technology business management (TBM) expertise enabled us to create DIAMOND, a Configuration management database (CMDB) with revolutionary FinOps applications for a large federal client. This project showcases our ability to combine technical acumen, business strategy, and financial optimization to deliver innovative solutions that drive efficiency and cost savings.
DIAMOND CMDB Provides Data Centralization
Before DIAMOND, data at our client was siloed. People throughout the agency had to rely on manual processes that were difficult to maintain due to lack of data centralization. Parts of the organization that needed regular access to each other’s data had to constantly play catch-up to keep as current as possible. DIAMOND addressed this by collectings data from 27 application APIs and numerous Oracle and Postgres third-party databases to tabulate real-time data on 12,000 servers, 3,000 file shares, 30,000 storage volumes, 95 clustered storage containers, 30 switches, and 45 arrays.
DIAMOND provides our client with a single pane of glass that provides a snapshot of all systems in the IT infrastructure. Through DIAMOND, we provide continuous monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs), including, but not limited to, storage consumption use and trends, reclamation of underused storage capacity, identification of cost savings, capacity management to support the load growth, storage expansions, and re-balancing of resources, performance hot spot identification for risk mitigation consideration, and performance metrics reviews for compliance with SLAs. Through DIAMOND’s Chargeback & Showback features, we integrate business architecture and IT architecture for internal billing. The figure below shows current data sources that have automation built in, polling the infrastructure for accurate and real-time information.
Before DIAMOND, data at our client was siloed. People throughout the agency had to rely on manual processes that were difficult to maintain due to lack of data centralization. Parts of the organization that needed regular access to each other’s data had to constantly play catch-up to keep as current as possible. DIAMOND addressed this by collectings data from 27 application APIs and numerous Oracle and Postgres third-party databases to tabulate real-time data on 12,000 servers, 3,000 file shares, 30,000 storage volumes, 95 clustered storage containers, 30 switches, and 45 arrays.
DIAMOND provides our client with a single pane of glass that provides a snapshot of all systems in the IT infrastructure. Through DIAMOND, we provide continuous monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs), including, but not limited to, storage consumption use and trends, reclamation of underused storage capacity, identification of cost savings, capacity management to support the load growth, storage expansions, and re-balancing of resources, performance hot spot identification for risk mitigation consideration, and performance metrics reviews for compliance with SLAs. Through DIAMOND’s Chargeback & Showback features, we integrate business architecture and IT architecture for internal billing. The figure below shows current data sources that have automation built in, polling the infrastructure for accurate and real-time information.
DIAMOND Automates and Centralizes Data Lookups from 37 Sources
DIAMOND: A Modular Data Aggregation and Analytics Application
DIAMOND also enables cost reductions by providing utilization metrics across operating systems and architectures, which helps stakeholders understand the current total cost of ownership (TCO) better as well as future storage needs. Because of this, we were able to assist our client with an agency-wide storage reclamation effort wherein we examine file systems to see where storage can be optimized to 85% capacity. When we encounter a server that has been given an excess of storage, i.e., its storage capacity is under 85%, we re-provision it. By doing so, we are able help our client achieve savings in that they pay less for storage. To date, the storage reclamation effort has realized a cumulative cost avoidance for storage of $186K monthly/$2.24M annually from the storage invoice since the effort began in 2019.
Cost Savings Due to Storage Reclamation, FY 22-FY 23
Due in large part to the success they have enjoyed because of DIAMOND, our client engaged us to build an enterprise-wide database using ServiceNow in November of 2022. By re-using and extending the existing code, APIs, and infrastructure already in place with DIAMOND, the delivery milestones along the path to completion have been significantly accelerated.
Let us show you how DIAMOND can provide insights into your business. Call us at 571-293-9477.