Converged Infrastructure Engagement Overview
This document provides a high-level overview of a Converged Infrastructure engagement with Long View Systems.
Long View Systems’ Converged Infrastructure engagement methodology is based on our experience deploying
over 100 Converged Infrastructure Solutions for clients across North America. This methodology is completed
over six structured phases as outlined below.
As such, the facilitated interviews performed in the Envision Phase are critical to understanding your business and
technical requirements. Envision defines the expectations which ultimately sets your project up for success. Over
and above a structured approach, comprehensive documentation, communication, training and support are the
fundamental components for your deployment project.
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Phase 1: Envision
Purpose
The Envision phase sets the stage for the entire Converged Infrastructure engagement. The outcomes
of the Envision phase will give Long View Systems a thorough understanding of your needs before
moving forward with the engagement. This phase ensures that the engagement is scoped out
accurately to meet your expectations.
Task
Description
Project Kick-Off
At this initial session, a high-level overview is given of the overall Converged
Infrastructure engagement, including all phases that Long View Systems will be
working with you to complete.
Preliminary Discovery &
Assessment
You will be walked through a series of questionnaires to determine the requirements
for the engagement. The preliminary discovery and assessment examines the
readiness of your organization to implement Converged Infrastructure.
 People
 Process
 Technology
Workshops & Interviews
Facilitated workshops enable Long View Systems to review the features,
functionality and possible solutions with you. Interviews are performed to gather
your business requirements.
Vision & Preliminary
Scope
The vision and preliminary scope are established and form the remainder of the
engagement.
Market Evaluations &
Product Education
You will be walked through the various market leading technologies. Product
Capabilities and shortcomings will be evaluated. This allows you the client to define
the “Art of the Possible”.
Preliminary Project
Management Plan
The project management processes for the engagement are defined. This covers all
nine knowledge areas as defined by the Project Management Institute.
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Phase 2: Assess
Purpose
The Assess phase seeks to add more information to the initial research performed in Phase 1: Envision.
Based on the information gathered, a Conceptual Design and Solution Recommendation is developed
to demonstrate an understanding of your requirements.
Task
Description
Detailed Discovery &
Assessment
You will be walked through a series of questionnaires to determine the requirements
for the engagement. The detailed discovery and assessment examines the readiness of
your organization to implement Converged Infrastructure. The intention is to validate
the requirements collected in the preliminary discovery.
Conceptual Design
A conceptual design is an abstract or high level design which includes only the most
important components and entities. The main goal of a conceptual design is to provide
an understandable picture of the overall purpose of the proposed solution.
Components may include major technology systems, external systems that are
required for integration or overall functionality, high level data flow, and system
functionality.
Vision & Detailed Scope
The vision and detailed scope are established for the remainder of the engagement.
Solution Evaluation &
Recommendation
Solutions will be evaluated based on the Business and Technical requirements.
Detailed Project
Management Plan
The project management processes for the engagement are defined. This covers all
nine knowledge areas as defined by the Project Management Institute.
Phase 3: Design
Purpose
The Design phase involves the logical design of the solution based on the conceptual design created in
Phase 3, creation of test cases, as well as deployment planning.
Task
Description
Preliminary Test
Strategy & Test Cases
The preliminary test strategy describes the overall coverage and depth of the testing
effort. This strategy drives the detailed test plans and ensures focus for the test effort.
Logical Design
A logical design is a more detailed design which includes all major components and
entities plus their relationships. The data flows and connections are detailed in this
stage.
Pilot or Production
Deployment Planning
A plan is created for the pilot deployment and/or production deployment which
considers business requirements and expectations to ensure a structured and
minimally impacting deployment.
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Task
Description
Solution Presentation &
Client Sign-Off
Solution Presentation will consist of:
 Logical Design
 Bill of Materials
 Pilot or Production Deployment Plan
 Updated Project Plan
Phase 4: Acquire
Purpose
The Acquire phase includes the Hardware and Software Acquisition.
proceeding to the full pilot and/or production deployment.
Finalizing details before
Task
Description
Hardware & Software
Acquisition
Hardware and Software will be ordered based on Bill of Materials (Phase 3) and client
sign-off.
Detailed Test Strategy
and Test Cases
The detailed test strategy describes the overall coverage and depth of the testing
effort. This strategy drives the detailed test plans and ensures focus for the test effort.
Physical Design
A physical design has all major components and entities identified within specific
physical servers and locations or specific software services, objects, or solutions.
Include all known details such as operating systems, version numbers, and even
patches that are relevant. Any physical constraints or limitations should also be
identified within the server components, data flows, or connections. This design
usually precludes or may be included and extended by the final implementation team
into an implementation design.
Finalize Deployment
Plan
A plan is created for the pilot deployment and/or production deployment which
considers business requirements and expectations to ensure a structured and
minimally impacting deployment.
Preliminary Support Plan
A preliminary plan is created for the support of the production deployment which
considers business requirements and expectations to ensure SLA’s are met.
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Phase 5: Deploy
Purpose
The Deploy phase is the final phase in the project where the solution is fully implemented.
Task
Description
Training, Knowledge
Transfer & Support
Operations Readiness training, knowledge transfer and support.
Acceptance Testing &
Client Sign-Off
Component testing of the solution is performed to ensure the solution is functional.
Pilot Deployment
(Optional) The pilot build of the complete solution is created based on the detailed
designs created in Phase 4: Acquire.
Production Deployment
The production build of the complete solution is created based on the detailed designs
created in Phase 4: Acquire.
Detailed Support Plan or
Support Services
A detailed plan is created for the support of the production deployment which
considers business requirements and expectations to ensure SLA’s are met. Additional
support services are discussed to ensure the client is successful in supporting the
solution.
Phase 6: Manage
Purpose
The Manage phase is the final phase in the project where the solution is fully implemented and
transitioned to the client for production workloads.
Task
Description
Transition to Operations
& Warranty
A transition to operations is performed to ensure you are self-supporting. A warranty
period is also agreed upon to ensure that the solution operates as expected after the
transition.
Post Deployment
Support
The solution is supported for an agreed-upon duration of time to ensure that the
solution is functioning as expected.
Long View Managed
Services for CI*
(Optional) Long View offers the option of a Managed Service for Converged
Infrastructure platforms. This can be an option for clients as they educate their IT Staff
and prepare them to support a Converged Solution.
Project Close-Out
This session seeks to verify that the objectives and goals of the engagement have been
met. Lessons learned will be discussed to ensure the success of future projects going
forward.
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