Siemens has launched its own data center infrastructure management (DCIM). There are a number of leading building management systems (BMS) from the likes of Siemens and Johnson Controls. As data centers and private clouds become key facilities focal points at companies, there’s a need to offer add on DCIM tools to manage data center power loads and visualize data center server performance.

It’s interesting to see Siemens opt to build its own tool rather than try to acquire one of the many DCIM startups like Power Assure. Having a DCIM tool in its suite will make Siemens more competitive and more able to serve customers that are finding data center management at the core of their business.

The interesting question here is whether DCIM (the data center) or BMS (the larger facility) will become the starting point for management. Which management tool will take the drivers seat as facilities managers and data center managers attempt to get along and work together?

I’ve always thought that DCIM would take a subservient role to BMS but at companies that are core IT companies, I’m less sure. In the end, if the biggest power hog in the facility is your data center, wouldn’t you want to start there for building a management suite?