Rapid deployment isn’t the only challenge for IT departments charged with improving a business’s analytics capabilities. If new software (or even just different versions of older software) is introduced on this new analytics infrastructure, complexity increases. Complexity can result in problems later when updates or security patches are installed. Further, IT could lose the ability to utilize other hardware for workload migration when peak loads occur.

A far better approach is to move beyond self-integration and work with a vendor partner that can bring a broad array of capabilities and help IT deliver higher-quality infrastructure for analytics more quickly. This reduces the strain on IT teams and lets the operating teams get their answers faster. In choosing the optimal vendor, look for: A wide range of services. To save substantial time and procure the rock-solid platform the organization desires, the vendor must have a complete set of services, from initial consultation through operational support. The vendor should be able to showcase customers that are successfully using its services.

Deep and meaningful integration with key vendor partners. Delivering best-in-class infrastructure for analytics is a team effort. Your vendor team should have deep technical relationships that deliver a better customer experience. This should include reference designs, configuration support, and other documented processes and capabilities that enhance the offering. Hyperconverged infrastructure. HCI that includes pre-configured compute/storage/software delivers many benefits. Most analytics-focused HCI solutions have known performance parameters to allow better “sizing” of the system so you don’t have to buy more than you need. The pre-integration of the entire infrastructure substantially reduces the time needed to make the system operational.

Lenovo Delivers Optimized Infrastructure for Analytics that Eliminates the Need for Self-Integration Lenovo, an industry leader for analytics infrastructure, is an outstanding choice for new platforms to support this critical activity. Lenovo has a deep relationship with the leading analytics and data management platform, SAP HANA. Not only does it offer a substantial level of technical interaction, but Lenovo has also built a competency center focused on HANA. In fact, SAP runs its own HANA implementation on Lenovo products. In addition, Lenovo works with HCI leader Nutanix to deliver pre-configured and tested HCI infrastructure that is well suited to analytics.