Certain pieces of hardware in the IT industry gain a level of popularity and longevity that makes them abundant in data centers around the world. To understand more about what makes a server a bestseller, we sat down with Florent Squaratti, one of our technical experts, to discuss the Dell R630, a legend of the data center.
Why is the R630 the best seller for Ynvolve?
Right now, it has the best price to power ratio. This machine is very versatile. You can have a decently configured server for a very good price. For most people, it’s enough to work within their infrastructure for their basic needs.
You can have also a very simple or fairly high-end configuration for a decent price. So, you don’t need to go and buy more recent, newer servers. They still cover people’s needs, which is why it’s one of our most popular options.
Most big brands have a small one-use server like this one. It’s a dense server, it doesn’t take up much room in your data center. You can configure it with low or high specs, based on your price range. These cover a large part of the market. It has been built to be flexible, dual CPU, flexible RAM, you can do a lot with this one type of server. The R630 is that server for Dell.
Does this mean the R630 is suitable for all businesses?
Maybe not every type of business. We would call this an ‘aging system’ because it’s from late 2012. So, not everyone will be able to get what they need from it. Newer systems are more efficient. You can get more cores per processor, more memory, but it comes at a higher price.
As mentioned before, the R630 is still a versatile and tremendous option for many companies, but it will be replaced by newer generations as prices decrease. Soon, the R640 will become our best seller, it makes sense that the newer version will replace it.
If customers give you specific requirements, can you build it?
Yes, we can. More often than not, customers tend to know what they need. They provide us with the requirements, and we build a tailored machine in our warehouse. But it’s important to note that it’s not necessary for them to send us the specs for us to customize a server for them. We can also discuss their needs and our experts will present different options that will help them achieve their goals.
How would you go about determining the server the client needs?
I just talk to them. The client tells me about the project or the services that they provide and what their needs are. On my end, I ask questions that will help me determine their requirements when it comes to things like compute power or physical space. Once I have all the information and a clear understanding of what they do and what they would like to accomplish, I design the best solution by taking into account the current market, their needs and availability, whether the solution includes the R630 or one of the many other server models we provide.
Can you give us an example?
Yes. Recently one of our web hosting customers based in Paris needed 150 servers for a big client of theirs. They already knew the configuration they needed. Unfortunately, we couldn’t provide the CPU or chassis requested.
I told them as such and recommended for them to go with new machines instead, as they would potentially get a more competitive offer based on their specifications. However, they mentioned that when it comes to new, lead time and price were a challenge.
So, they asked us to find an alternative solution for their needs that matched their budget. Which as it turns out, the R630 could fulfill. By going with the R630, the lead time is significantly reduced, and the price fits their budget.
Ynvolve’s finance department provided a suitable agreement for both parties and our engineers are currently working on fulfilling the order that will be shipped in three batches starting this week.
What is the main competitor of the R630?
There are several servers that might be better suited for your needs. But I would say that the R630’s ‘direct competition’ would be the Dell R640. This one is the newer generation of this model. You can get more out of it, but it is more expensive.
You also have the Dell R430, which is from the same generation but has fewer DIMM slots and CPUs limited to 150W. This can be an option if you need something that is just a bit smaller.
And, if you have the need for more storage capacity, then the R730 is a good choice as it’s a 2U server versus the 1U R630.
Is the R640 already available on the refurbished market?
Yes, because the newest generation for this model, the Dell R650, has already been released by Dell. Although the R640 can still be purchased through distribution, lead times may vary based on the configuration requirements.
What technical questions do people have about their server choices?
Our clients normally ask what types of components we use, such as the memory or the CPU, and if they are scalable. For instance, generally we use DDR4 memories and E5-26 v3-v4 series CPUs.
Also, most of their questions are related to the differences between new and older generations of servers. The advancements in CPU technology impact what type of technology the OEMs produce. But overall, when a new generation comes up, there is a difference in power and capacity.
What benefits do clients receive by opting for refurbished equipment?
The biggest benefits are a better price and faster lead times. In general, refurbished equipment is priced lower than new, unless you are buying in bulk from the OEMs. Because we work with our own stock, we can configure the machines to meet the client’s requirements and deliver the product in a couple of days. Additionally, we rely on a broad network of hundreds of suppliers worldwide to fulfill our clients’ needs, regardless of our own stock.
Every client has specific requirements in terms of time and budget, but by working with them we can find a match. That’s what we work with, the needs of people, within a budget. If you work with refurbished, companies can access IT assets without taking on debt to grow their company.
We’ve had clients that were able to grow their company because buying refurbished meant they didn’t take on any debt, and they wouldn’t be in the position they are now if they’d had to shoulder the higher cost of new equipment. It’s important to mention that sometimes issues might come up with refurbished hardware, but problems are inevitable regardless of its condition, new or reused.
However, the benefits outweigh the possibility of potential issues. At Ynvolve, we know that customers are sometimes hesitant of buying refurbished for that reason. That’s why we make it our priority to ensure all our products are tested when we receive them and before we send them to the client. All of our equipment has a warranty and in case something goes wrong, we are there to solve it.
We are a partner to our customers, and we will be there every step of the way. Our clients rest assured that we will find a solution, from providing advice to a new power supply, a new motherboard, whatever is needed. Additionally, when doing business with us, the customer always speaks to the same person; the person that sold you the server, not a random call center. It’s nice to have a relationship with a trusted partner that understands your needs and has been there with you throughout the entire journey.
Has Ynvolve been affected by the shortages and supply chain issues?
Not to the same extent as others in the industry. As mentioned before, we work with hundreds of suppliers across the globe. Our broad network allows us to provide for our customers. So, if a part or configuration is available on the market, it’s very likely that we will be able to get it. Additionally, the nature of our business relies on equipment that is already manufactured, so we are in a different position than say, resellers or even the OEMs.
Thank you to Florent for telling us more about the R630 and why it’s Ynvolve’s bestseller.
If you would like to speak with Florent or any of our team members about finding the right equipment for your current projects or business goals, send us a quick message. We are ready and in shape to take your call!
