Using DCIM to Consolidate Multiple Tools for a Single Source of Truth
Modern data centers depend on multiple teams, each using their own systems—CMDBs, ticketing platforms, cloud and virtualization tools, network and server management software, observability stacks, collaboration apps, and countless spreadsheets. Each tool provides important insights, but together they create a complex and sprawling technology landscape.
Organizations are turning to Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software to solve these challenges by consolidating tools and information into a single source of truth.
The Problem with Siloed Tools
When tools operate in silos, the result is a series of challenges that impact all aspects of data center operations:
- Data fragmentation. Information is scattered across spreadsheets and disparate tools, making it difficult to gather, analyze, and report on data.
- Operational inefficiency. Staff spend hours manually collecting and verifying data instead of focusing on more strategic tasks.
- Delayed decision-making. Limited visibility means teams don’t have the right information at the right time to act quickly.
- Increased costs. Redundant licenses, overlapping features, and separate maintenance contracts inflate budgets unnecessarily.
- Higher risk. Fragmented data makes it harder to quickly respond to incidents.
Even small inefficiencies multiply in larger data centers, creating tangible impacts on uptime, operational costs, and team productivity.
How DCIM Consolidates Tools and Information for a Single Source of Truth
- Integration with existing systems. DCIM integrates with many of the tools teams already use (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira) to centralize key information across functions. This reduces manual effort, provides more complete information, and enables better cross-functional collaboration.
- Replacement of legacy and/or redundant tools. Modern DCIM platforms combine full-circle data center management capabilities in a single tool, covering asset, capacity, change, energy, environment, power, visualization, security, BI & analytics, and connectivity. With DCIM, organizations can potentially retire older software and eliminate redundant licenses.
- Digital twin visualization and zero-configuration analytics. DCIM software automatically creates a digital twin of your data center, mapping every asset, connection, and dependency in real time. Out-of-the-box, purpose-built dashboards and visual analytics deliver actionable insights so teams can make faster, data-driven decisions.
Top Integrations with Sunbird DCIM to Create a Single Pane of Glass
DCIM consolidates information by integrating with the tools your teams already use to enable a single source of truth and present key information in a single pane of glass.
While Sunbird DCIM can integrate with virtually any system that contains information about assets, virtual machines, data ports, power ports, or circuits, and exposes this information via RESTful API, the following are some popular tools our customers are integrating with today.
- CMDB (e.g., ServiceNow, BMC, Ivanti/Cherwell). Automatically sync assets in your CMDB to DCIM, including device type, serial number, status, location, and owner. Updates like asset status, rack, and U position flow back to the CMDB, keeping data current.
- Ticketing (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow). Tickets created in your ticketing tool automatically generate linked tickets in your DCIM, with updates like status shared in real time.
- Private cloud/orchestration (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V). Sync virtual machines with physical hosts for maintenance planning and customer notifications. Includes CPU, RAM, disk, OS, cluster, host, and power state.
- Network management (e.g., Cisco ACI, NetBox). Network items and port attributes like port status and description update automatically in DCIM.
- Server infrastructure management (e.g., Dell OME, HPE OneView). Servers and attributes such as warranty info, service tags, OS, RAM, and BIOS data are synced automatically.
- Colocation infrastructure monitoring (e.g., Equinix SmartView). Compare and verify intelligent rack PDU data with information provided by your colo provider.
- Observability (e.g., Splunk). Automatically forward events to Splunk for processing and analysis.
- DevOps (e.g., Chef, Jenkins). Automatically sync device deployment and configuration information to support provisioning and orchestration.
- Collaboration (e.g., Microsoft Teams). Alerts and ticket updates are sent automatically to Teams channels for faster issue resolution.
Learn more about Top Integrations with Sunbird DCIM to Create a Single Pane of Glass.
Case Study: Erie Insurance Consolidates 4 Tools with DCIM
Erie Insurance, a Fortune 500 property and casualty company, manages a large and distributed technology estate, including an enterprise data center with 80 racks, colocation centers, two master telecommunications rooms totaling 40 racks, and roughly 75 telecommunication rooms across its Pennsylvania campus and 12 branch offices.
Before deploying Sunbird DCIM, Erie relied on spreadsheets and multiple legacy tools for asset tracking, power monitoring, and connectivity management. “It was very difficult to provide a consolidated view,” said Nathaniel Adams, Senior IT Analyst. “We had too many spreadsheets.” Their previous DCIM tool was outdated, lacked dashboard widgets, and charged extra for modules, making reporting and cross-team collaboration cumbersome.
Erie Insurance chose Sunbird DCIM for its usability, reporting capabilities, and cost efficiency. The platform created a single pane of glass for assets, power, and connectivity across all facilities. “The main thing we wanted was to consolidate tools and paint a real picture of what we have going on,” said Adams. Leadership supported the transition, recognizing the operational and financial benefits. “We evaluated what it would be like to have a consolidated tool for all of us and what the cost savings would be in the long run,” he noted.
By replacing four separate tools, Erie Insurance streamlined operations and is projected to save $100,000 over three to four years. “We now have only one recurring cost, which is amazing,” said Adams. The centralized platform improved visibility and cross-team collaboration. “The visibility now to other teams of knowing where things are has been tremendous,” he added. Teams can now share information seamlessly, justify decisions, and work more efficiently thanks to the modern interface and enhanced reporting tools.
Read the Erie Insurance case study.
Case Study: Prestigious University Consolidates Information for a Single Pane of Glass
A prestigious research university with five data centers and over 360 cabinets needed better visibility into assets, power, environmental conditions, and capacity. “Knowing asset ages, cabinet power usage, coupled with temperature helps [us] understand and better utilize the spaces,” said the customer.
The university deployed Sunbird DCIM for asset management, power monitoring, and capacity planning. By integrating with multiple systems like ServiceNow and VMware, they created a single pane of glass that consolidates critical information for leadership, operations, and research teams. This unified view allows all teams to work from the same data, improving planning, coordination, and decision-making.
Automated reporting gives senior leadership—including the president, provosts, AVPs, and VPs—access to real-time dashboards. “We used to do manual reports. All the reports are now automated through dcTrack… The fact that I’ve got an AVP logging into my DCIM to check a dashboard speaks volumes about the information that it’s bringing back,” said the customer.
By consolidating information across multiple systems into a single platform, the university now has a reliable source of truth that improves visibility, supports cross-team collaboration, and enables informed decision-making at all levels.
Read the Prestigious University case study.
Bringing It All Together
By deploying DCIM software to centralize information, automate manual data entry, and consolidate tools, teams gain a single source of truth that improves accuracy, speeds decision-making, and enhances overall efficiency.
Organizations like Erie Insurance demonstrate the tangible benefits of this approach: streamlined workflows, fewer errors, reduced licensing expenses, and better visibility into operations.
For data center professionals looking to modernize operations, reduce complexity, and achieve measurable savings, DCIM offers a practical, comprehensive solution.
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