Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tools are system management platforms covering rack, cooling, and electrical infrastructure for your data center facilities. Most companies have implemented some IT process automation, but this automation stops at the IT device level and does not extend down to the facilities level. Sure, there's process, but it's all based on spreadsheets and Visio diagrams — maybe. Today, DCIM brings better visibility and reliability to the facilities and helps with analyzing costs and capacity. More importantly, DCIM will eventually provide important data to higher-level decision-making tools. But the integration won't happen overnight, as there are numerous would-be providers of this information, and facilities teams are just now starting to implement these types of automated systems.