The ROI of Investing in DCIM Software

Data centres cannot afford unexpected outages—every minute of downtime costs businesses over £9,000. The best return on investment (ROI) from Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software comes from preventing disasters before they happen. Here is how:

• Stop Failures Early – DCIM constantly monitors UPS batteries, PDUs, and other systems spotting weaknesses before they fail. Fixing issues early prevents costly crashes.
• Faster Fixes When Problems Occur – If an outage does happen, tools like 3D visualisation help technicians find the problem instantly. This cuts repair time and gets systems back online faster.
• The Bottom Line – Avoiding just one 30-minute outage saves £270,000. For most companies, this alone covers the cost of DCIM software—making it a smart investment.

By reducing downtime, DCIM protects revenue, reputation, and reliability. The savings speak for themselves.

Expanding a data centre or leasing new space is one of the largest investments a company can make. However, a DCIM solution offers a powerful alternative: staying in your current facility for much longer.

• Finding Hidden Capacity: Many data centre managers believe their facilities are full, but this is often not the case. In reality, utilisation can be as low as 60%. A DCIM system uncovers this “lost” power and space – the hidden capacity within your existing infrastructure.
• The “Zero-Build” Strategy: By reclaiming this often-wasted 40% of space with DCIM tools like Sensorium, you can adopt a powerful “Zero-Build” strategy. This means you can defer multi-million-pound facility expansions or expensive new colocation contracts for years.
• Clear Return on Investment: The financial benefits are significant. In fact, the interest saved on delaying such a massive capital outlay often covers the entire cost of implementing a DCIM solution. It is a smart investment that pays for itself.

For UK data centres, energy and staffing represent the two largest and most persistent expenses. Fortunately, strategic improvements can significantly lower these costs.

• Energy Savings: First, let us consider energy consumption. Simple operational changes can yield substantial savings. For instance, slightly raising cooling set points can have a major impact—just a 1°C increase typically saves 4% on energy. Furthermore, identifying and decommissioning unused “zombie servers” cuts down on massive waste. By implementing these measures, facilities often reduce their energy bills by 15% to 25%.
• Labour Efficiency: Next, labour efficiency is greatly improved through automation. Modern tools can automatically track assets and generate reports. This technology completely replaces the old-fashioned, time-consuming method of manual clipboard audits, saving hundreds of valuable work hours.
• The ROI: The financial return is compelling. In a standard 1MW facility, achieving a 20% reduction in energy waste can lead to annual savings exceeding £100,000 at current UK commercial rates. This demonstrates a powerful return on investment, making these optimisations both an operational and a financial priority.

The UK government is introducing stricter rules for carbon and energy use. Consequently, failing to follow these laws is becoming very expensive.

DCIM software helps you manage these changes easily. For instance, it gathers the exact data needed for SECR reporting. As a result, your team can automate complex ESG tasks and save time.

Furthermore, tracking your energy efficiency helps you save money. Accurate data ensures you do not overpay on carbon taxes. At the same time, it prevents heavy fines for reporting incorrect information. By staying compliant, you protect both the planet and your budget.