The mismatch between the data center software and hardware life cycles and the building and infrastructure life cycles, along with the frequency of the adds, moves and changes, exposes the shortcomings of traditional disparate and silo-based facilities management systems and approaches.

The industry's response has led to the development of data center infrastructure management. However, the industry is still at the beginning of the DCIM solution and consequently, there are some start-up challenges that will be addressed through maturation.