The proposed switch to VMware-based virtual servers running on an IBM BladeServer H offered several advantages. The total cost of ownership was a major consideration, and for the same total expenditure that would have necessary to install new conventional servers, KCGM was able to equip a disaster recovery site as well as its main datacentre. With VMware's VMotion management server, high availability and disaster recovery features "just seem to work out of the box," said project manager Shaun Fessey, although some configuration is necessary to optimise these facilities. Other benefits include a reduction in the space needed to accommodate the servers, and a cut in power consumption, reducing the company's carbon footprint. Furthermore, VMware's flexibility means the IT group will be able to quickly implement new virtual servers as required. When more hardware capacity is needed, additional blades can be fitted to the existing chassis.