MAC stands for moves, adds and changes. It’s a general term that you’ll frequently hear in data centers, and it simply refers to the routine tasks that go into keeping systems up to date and compliant with user requirements.
IT teams typically look after all tasks associated with moves, adds and changes. These include everything from new installations and upgrades, to decommissions and relocations where necessary. The tasks in question can vary quite substantially in terms of size and complexity, but every one plays a vital role in keeping systems up to date and ready to go.
MAC (Moves, Adds and Changes) Explained
MAC processes tend to be combined into one, but there are three key parts that make up these jobs: moving, adding and changing.
Moves: This is as simple as it sounds. It refers to the physical movement of equipment within data centers, or from one data center to another. Technicians will manage tasks like uninstalling devices and removing connections, before packing equipment to ensure it can be relocated safely.
Adds: When we talk about ‘adds’, we really mean new installations. This can refer to both hardware and software, and is usually undertaken to harness any potential performance improvements that might be required to support a company’s growth.
Changes: Changes refers to the practice of altering hardware and software in line with a company’s requirements. Usually it happens when equipment is no longer efficient enough to meet business needs, but it can sometimes be required for data backups and disaster recovery programs.
Examples of Moves, Adds and Changes
The term MAC covers a range of different processes that are needed to ensure the health and efficiency of things like computers, switches, firewalls, servers and gateways. MAC also sometimes refers to tasks needed to keep software up to date.
Here are a few examples of the types of tasks that our technicians commonly undertake as part of MAC:
- Putting new devices on a network
- Changes to user accounts on a network
- Adjusting device configurations
- Relocating equipment within the data center
- Decommissioning old hardware and replacing it with updated versions
- Data center migrations
- Data center consolidations
Why are Moves, Adds and Changes So Important?
A well structured MAC program is absolutely crucial to the health and sustainability of today’s data centers – and the businesses that use them. Modern data centers are incredibly complex, and as the demands placed on them by growing companies rise they’re set to become even more so in the coming years.
Changes made within data centers can up their complexity by a long way, so these processes need to be carefully managed to ensure that facilities are always ready to meet demand. Added to this is the fact that data centers need to be able to respond to fluctuations in demand with urgency, and be able to manage any required moves, adds or changes in an efficient and organised manner.
At top data centers, technicians are always on hand to ensure that the best possible equipment is available at all times, and that any potential damage to this vital equipment is prevented as far as possible. The careful management of MAC is also important in terms of reducing downtime and improving the ROI of a data center, on behalf of the business as well as its customers.
The best data centers plan MAC in such a way that disruption is always kept to a minimum. Doing so means that businesses reliant on their services won’t be negatively impacted by any changes that are needed – whether they’re pre-planned well in advance or they’re more urgent.
Colo+ Looks after Moves, Adds and Changes for You
Traditional colocation usually sees companies faced with having to arrange their own network contracts and purchasing workflow for all moves, adds and changes. Not only is this time-consuming, it comes with a real risk of unplanned downtime.
Colo+, on the other hand, gives companies the option of having all those moves, adds and changes included from day one.
The fully managed service allows teams to sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that all physical logistics are well taken care of. It includes all required parts, from racks and rails to PDUs and cables, and of course with Colo+ the entire migration is managed by our technicians.
If you’d like to find out more about taking the hard work out of moves, adds and changes speak to a member of our team today
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