In an attempt to address the problem of deployment complexity that reportedly prevents many data center operators from deploying data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software, Emerson Network Power has released a version of its Trellis DCIM product as a turn-key package.

The concept of DCIM is comparatively new, and DCIM suites tend to be extremely multifaceted, functionality ranging from power consumption monitoring through IT-device inventory management and predictive modeling. It is common for customers to deploy DCIM suites in phases (at vendors' recommendations), starting with a basic set of functionality with plans to add modules in the future.

This is why companies like Emerson and Schneider Electric, whose approach to DCIM has been to create as all-encompassing a solution as possible, have designed modularity into their respective suites. Emerson's new Trellis Platform Express Edition seems to address customers who prefer a straight-forward turn-key package.

Steve Hassell, president of Emerson's Data Center Solutions business, said the release was about delivering benefits of DCIM quickly. “By listening to our customers, we saw there was a need to develop a simpler way for them to begin their DCIM projects,” he said.

Still, the solution is not exactly 'plug-and-play.' Both flavors the Express Edition comes in include professional installation and training services. While the solutions are turn-key, there is still a degree of customization for each customer's needs, according to Emerson. Each solution is configured for each customer's requirements.

Emerson, Schneider and Nlyte Software generated the most revenue from DCIM sales in 2012, according to a 451 Research report published in June. The three companies were responsible for nearly half of the entire US$193m companies made in DCIM sales in 2012, according to the report.

The analysts expect the three to generate a similar portion of the $621m they project will have been generated in DCIM revenue in 2013. The 451 Group projects a 44% average annual growth rate in DCIM revenue through 2016, at which point the market will reach a total of $1.8bn.

One vendor benefit of Emerson's new express DCIM package offerings may be shortening of what 451 said was typically a long sales cycle. “Some data center operators are reporting product evaluation periods of one to two years,” the analysts wrote. “Most are procuring DCIM for the first time.”

These are long-term installations and customers know that swapping a product out in case they are not happy with it after deployment is not a trivial task, the report read.

The two flavors of Emerson's turn-key package are a facilities-management oriented version and one focused more on inventory management. The Trellis Facility Manager Express bundle includes the Trellis Site Manager and Avocent Universal Management Gateway, while the Trellis Inventory Express bundle is the Trellis Inventory Manager and the aforementioned professional services that comes with or without a host server.

Facility Manager Express further has two options: one for 10 floor-mounted devices and another for 25.