“Powerful asset tracking capabilities”

Pros

Across multiple data centers, this DCIM platform has given us far more functionality than we actually need. The NAO Asset Management piece is especially valuable because it lets us quickly identify exactly where devices are located which helps us respond fast whenever an issue comes up.

Cons

Getting this tool set up takes a significant amount of data and preparation. You need accurate, up-to-date asset records and detailed physical site information and the whole process requires a lot of attention to detail. Finding the time for the setup was a challenge on our side because it is quite time-consuming. I'd recommend bringing Nlyte in to handle the implementation for you.

“Comprehensive feature set”

Pros

The product stands out for how broad and complete its feature set is. It covers a wide scope of needs which makes it feel very capable and well-rounded.

Cons

Something that comes up too often is that the instructions and tips seem written for people who already know the product's inner workings and underlying technology. That shows up in unexplained acronyms and inconsistent terminology. It can feel like being told to click a button called "James" when the only buttons you can find are labeled "Jim" and "Joe." This kind of mismatch happens in plenty of places beyond Nlyte too but it still creates friction here. The interface and guidance really need to be written from the perspective of a first-time, non-expert user since that is the fastest way to improve user adoption and acceptance.

“Flexible for changing environments”

Pros

Being able to handle our own implementation and make updates or changes without relying on outside support is a huge advantage. Since our colo environment is always evolving, the flexibility this software gives us has made a real impact.

Cons

I'd still like to see more training options and better support for creating custom reports.

“Accurate way to handle data management”

Pros

Before this, we were managing the data center entirely through complicated Excel sheets and had no proper DC management tool at all. Moving to Nlyte changed that quite a bit, giving us a much simpler, more accurate and more reliable way to handle data management. Among its features, Nlyte Asset Optimizer (NAO) has been the standout for us because it makes asset lifecycle management much more efficient.

Cons

Our users tend to overlook 3D view edit lock button again and again. It would be better if there were a clearer visual indicator so users could immediately tell when editing is allowed and when it is not.

“Helpful for data center tracking”

Pros

Despite being a fairly complex product, it's still user-friendly once you start working with it. We haven't used every feature yet but even at this stage it has been very helpful for keeping our data center equipment database organized and up to date.

Cons

Bulk loading is still complicated and could definitely be improved to make it more user-friendly. Network connections are a major part of any data center as well so that area could also be simplified.

“Simple to install”

Pros

Getting started with it is simple and the installation process feels user-friendly. The graphics are clear and user-friendly which makes the software pleasant to work with.

Cons

I'd want integration with PLCs and SCADA since that would make it even more useful in practice.

“Responsive tool”

Pros

Everything feels quick and responsive and the interface is simple enough to understand and use without much confusion.

Cons

Getting the most out of the software at the beginning does take a fair amount of manpower and effort.

“Solid performance elements visibility”

Pros

Defining devices and bringing them into the system is simple and it does a solid job of maintaining a visual view of the different performance elements across the data center site.

Cons

I really don't have any major complaints, it's been good overall though it does take a little time to get familiar with how everything works.

“Makes it easier to answer customer questions”

Pros

Having it as a single, comprehensive source has made it much easier to answer the full range of customer questions about data center services. Basic asset details are quick to search and the diagrams and photos are right there when I need them which really helps when explaining things to customers who have never been inside the data center. It has become a valuable resource that improved communication across the enterprise for anyone who needs information about physical hardware to complete a task.

Cons

Transfering the data into Nlyte is a major project. Although Nlyte offers loading this data as a service, security concerns prevented our enterprise from using that option. To put the size of the implementation effort in perspective, it took at least 1,200 man-hours to load information for 10,000 assets.

“Excellent asset visibility”

Pros

Being able to clearly show our data center assets to both customers and offsite administrators has been a big advantage and the cabling layout between assets is also much easier to track.

Cons

I still can't tell whether Nlyte lets you open a new service request directly from the asset page or if that option exists but isn't presented in an user-friendly way.

“Bulk updates are a gamechanger”

Pros

Bulk update capability makes a huge difference for admins especially when working with large datasets. Tasks that used to take days or even weeks can now be done in minutes or hours. I was able to map an entire power chain, UPS, generator, PDU, panel, breakers, circuits, receptacles and rack power strips, for a large data center in roughly an hour. It has also made global data center migrations far more manageable compared with the old spreadsheet-based process.

Cons

Integration between the NAO and NEO interfaces can be improved. Having a single, smooth GUI would be a major improvement and the monitoring features in NEO could be much more user-friendly. As it stands, NEO can feel intimidating and a bit difficult to configure correctly.

“Can check attributes for each component”

Pros

Ability to see the full rack configuration is a big advantage. It lets you drill down into the individual components of a storage shelf and you can also check the attributes for each component which is really useful.

Cons

We did run into some problems when trying to export data from Nlyte into an Excel document.