Financial markets are witnessing an unprecedented explosion in the availability of data, and the firms that survive will be able to leverage this information to increase their profit and expand their opportunities in a global world. Financial firms have two options: to build their own data centers or to outsource them to hosting services such as Google and Amazon ‘cloud’ services. While outsourcing data centers is a trend for small firms, it is not applicable to bigger firms who want more control over their huge amounts of data. Large firms thus build their own data centers. In such an environment, the CIO’s ability is crucial to lead an effective data strategy to capture, process and connect data to all the relevant lines of business. At the core of this strategy lies the data center - the repository of all information. In recognition of the importance of information, firms are rushing to invest in data centers, but they are finding that just throwing technology at the problem is not good enough. Despite the investments, data centers prove frustrating in terms of inefficiencies and rising costs, directly cutting into the profitability of lines of business that they serve. While there are books that discuss the mechanics, hardware and technicalities of data centers, no book has yet made the connection between enterprise strategy and data center investment, design and management. This book is a solution driven book for management demonstrating how to leverage technology to manage the seemingly infinite amount of data available today. Each chapter offers cutting-edge management and technology solutions to effectively manage data through data centers. • Feature: Presents cutting-edge technology solutions not available in one place until now • Benefit: Saves time going to numerous websites, calling vendors, going to conferences • Feature: Includes step-by-step instructions on how to implement a data center strategy based on the author’s recent success with Wachovia’s data center • Benefit: Readers can follow these steps with confidence that they will work and not have to re-invent the wheel • Feature: Demonstrates how business and IT can be aligned in financial services • Benefit: Demonstrating this alignment is crucial for any proposal for IT related resources today