Question

The firm is strongly considering closing down both of its existing data centers (one in Germany and the other in the United States) and establishing a new, highly energy efficient data center in a city with a mild climate and lower energy rates and land costs. Which of the following issues represents the most serious potential problem associated with data center consolidation?
A. Such a consolidation affects the organization's ability to absorb the impact of a disaster (e.g., hurricane, earthquake, terrorism attack, or war) and quickly restore services.
B. While the three dozen or so IS employees currently supporting and operating the existing data centers will be offered employment at the new data center, it is unlikely that most will be willing or able (due to visa restrictions) to relocate. This will likely create some ill will toward the company. In addition, skilled data center workers will be hard to find, leaving the new data center understaffed.
C. The organization will need to acquire all new information system hardware and networking equipment to prepare the new data center. This could cost millions and take many months.
D. The organization may be stuck with excess information systems hardware that it cannot use and must dispose of at a considerable loss. In addition, care must be taken in disposing of the hardware to avoid a data breach if information is not properly deleted.

Answer 1

Answer:

c. The organization will need to acquire all new information system hardware and networking equipment to prepare the new data center. This could cost millions and take many months.

Explanation:

The statement, "the firm is strongly considering.... establishing a new, highly energy-efficient data center... " indicates that the organization will need to acquire all new information system hardware and networking equipment to prepare the new data center, and this could cost millions and take many months.

Remember, researching and planning needs to be done to get the desired "energy-efficient" data center equipment, making it the most serious potential problem associated with data center consolidation.