One of the keys to success in any venture is having the right tools for the job—tools that simplify common tasks, increase productivity, and equip you for future growth. Top-notch tools are especially important in the data center, where ineffective software can hold back high-performance gear. The right set of server management tools can significantly improve infrastructure resilience, operational efficiency, data asset security, and sustainability. These benefits can empower IT administrators to get the most out of their infrastructures, potentially leading to better products and services, lower energy costs, reduced administrative expenses, and higher profit margins down the road.

In an extensive study, we compared the capabilities of a Dell server management portfolio to those of a Supermicro server management portfolio. We compared Dell iDRAC9 to Supermicro IPMI for embedded server management. We also compared Dell OpenManage Enterprise and CloudIQ to Supermicro Server Manager for one-to-many device and console management. We found that the Dell management portfolio we tested offered more granular control and more comprehensive security, sustainability, management, and monitoring capabilities than the Supermicro portfolio we tested. The Dell portfolio also included more task automation options that could ease hands-on and after-hours management burdens, thus potentially yielding significant time savings for administrators versus having to manually complete the same tasks with the Supermicro tools.

The benefits of the Dell server management tools we tested can all contribute to a finely tuned, energy-efficient, productive, and cost-controlled data center that’s well-equipped to handle both everyday management and the challenges of growth.

For more details about our in-depth server management comparison study, check out the report and infographic below.