Avanade TCO model for virtualized environments

Steve Fink, Solutions Architect for Avanade, and I enjoyed a long chat about a TCO/ROI model that Avanade is using to help their clients project what their datacenter virtualization projects are likely to cost and what type of return could be expected at the end of that project. As a well known model jockey from my years at IDC, I'm always somewhat suspicious of models of this nature. So, I did my best to be polite while I grilled the good Mr. Fink.

First of all, let me say that Steve is really good at what he does. Before he was too toasty from the grilling, he succeeded in answering all of my questions, admitted to where the model is very strong and where more work is needed. We reviewed worksheet after interlocked worksheet to shine a light on what Avanade was really. In spite of my concerns, Steve convinced me that the model is very useful in spite of the current limitations. While built on a different process than the models I developed while at IDC, the results appear consistent with those I've seen before.

If your organization is focused on Windows-based solutions in a virtualized environment, you may find it quite useful to speak with a representative of Steve's company and work through the model with data from your environment. You are likely to be surprised by the power of the model. If you're working with a more complex environment, a conversation with Avanade may still offer some useful information.

Thanks Steve for putting up with my probing questions, bad jokes and truly awful puns.