Let's Get Standardized
The "C" word comes in three varieties: hardware, OS and database.
Hardware-platform consolidation
Is there anywhere you can consolidate processor platforms? Many companies have a number of one-off, special-purpose servers that were purchased years ago. Perhaps it's viable to move the applications they run from, say, RISC to inexpensive x86 hardware. We're not going to debate the merits of individual platforms. We will say, however, that the more diverse systems you support, the more you will spend. Ideally, you should run only one or two server platforms.
First, pick a vendor for each supported processor platform. Many companies have already wisely chosen to use only one vendor for server hardware, saving them time and money. For instance, you may pick AIX and therefore IBM for RISC, and Dell for x86. One vendor per platform means that your administrators become familiar with technical support practices, warranties, configurations and particular vendor foibles. We are not advocating that you get out the chains and arc-weld yourself to a particular vendor; we are just saying that the vendor-of-the-week game can be detrimental to your data center and your sanity.
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