The check engine light and enterprise managment software
What does a car’s check engine light have to do with enterprise management software? The car’s check engine light is a great example of what enterprise management software delivers – information when and where it can do some good. The check engine indicator displays in the car’s dashboard as soon as there is potential faulty condition. The dashboard also includes the gas gauge and other indicators that provide the operator with information to decide if she can accomplish the goal – use the car to get groceries to make dinner. The closest equivalent to the check engine light in IT is the call from an end user complaining of slow network or application response. The network tech then performs a number of tests to prove it is not the network while the application team does the same with the application server. The check engine light warns of a potential service problem; the call from the end user indicates a service problem. The goal of enterprise management software is to provide the early warning indicator enabling the right decisions to avoid service interruptions.