Item: SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor (SRM)
Rating: 8
Author: Ryhlen Schoeberl

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

This is only being used by our IT Department. We use it to monitor our storage for performance issues as well as plan ahead for expansion. It helps us find out if certain systems need to be moved to faster storage arrays.

Pros and Cons

Easy to use interface.
Easy to set up.
Integrates with our other Solarwinds products.
Works with a lot of different storage arrays.

I have not found any cons of this product

Return on Investment

We are able to plan ahead for storage expansion. This allows us to decide what we need and hold out for special discounts instead of needing to purchase right away.
We are able to move our systems to faster storage if they need it. This keeps systems the most productive

Alternatives Considered

Didn't evaluate other products as this easily integrates with our Solarwinds System that was already in place so we did not have to have more than one monitoring system

Other Software Used

Windows Server, Juniper Ethernet Switches, Microsoft Office 2016

Likelihood to Recommend

It is well suited for our medium-sized environment where we have different storage arrays some have better performance than others. I can't imagine that it would be needed with a small environment where you only have 1 storage array or are not monitoring performance of the servers on different arrays.

Users and Roles

3 - IT System Administrator, IT Supervisor, and IT manager use this product to plan for expansion and monitor the storage for issues

Support Headcount Required

1 - No formal training just knowledge of storage and you can ask for assistance on their support page

Business Processes Supported

Monitor Storage for issues
Plan for expansion
Move systems to faster storage if needed

Innovative Uses

Set up alerts to send us notifications when there are storage issues

Future Planned Uses

Stay ahead of needed storage expansion

Likelihood to Renew

8

It has helped me prove that we need more storage as well as faster storage to management

Products Replaced

No

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Features
Product Usability
Product Reputation
Prior Experience with the Product
Vendor Reputation
Existing Relationship with the Vendor

We have so many other products of Solarwinds that it just made sense to get a system that will integrate with our other monitoring systems

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I would not do anything different.

Implementation Rating

8

Easy to use set up wizard went off without a hitch.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

No

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal - We did a maintenance window for the installation like we normally do so little down time on systems (I.E solarwinds web interface) while it was being setup. No issues setting up

Implementation Issues

There were no issues during setup

Support Rating

8

Do not have to contact support for issues often and when i do it is fast to get response and resolve my issues

SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor (SRM) Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None

Pros	Cons
Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Install was easy
Set up to monitor storage was easy

Difficult Tasks

There is nothing that i can think of that is difficult in this product

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

No

Storage Resource Monitor Easy to set up, manage and monitor storage.

Overall Satisfaction with Solarwinds Storage Resource Monitor