Except for the select few “Explorers”, Google Glass is still a device of the future, but we’re already dreaming up ways to use it in our work and personal lives, including in IT. Below we ponder how Google Glass might be applied in the data center.

For starters, Glass is Just Another Layer

Let’s face it, Google Glass doesn’t do anything more than the smartphone in your pocket right now. Like your phone, you can call, take pictures, record videos, get directions, complete searches and view files.

Glass is essentially just another interface layer. This pairing is very much like any current accessory, such as a Bluetooth headset allowing you to take a call while driving, etc…

However, it is undeniable that this added layer is one cool piece of hardware, and could make on-the-go computing and IT management a whole lot more interesting. Everything is right in front of you and you can go through an e-mail, compare diagrams or capture an image without so much as lifting a finger. “Right at your fingertips” becomes “at a glance” with Glass.

“Right at your fingertips” becomes “at a glance” with Glass.

But does Google Glass have the potential to be a game changer when it comes to the data center?

The Data Center Manager and Google Glass

The data center manager has a lot to oversee. As the App Center is released (likely in 2014) and more functionality is added, here are some ways we envision Glass being used in the data center.

1) Instant analytics, data and alerts on the fly.

Data Center staff already surround themselves with dashboards about systems, infrastructure, connectivity and more – now it’s always on. For example, if a software license is expiring, Google Glass could flash up an alert on that. It could also take you through the steps of either canceling or renewing that license, including team discussion (Google Hangouts?) and management permissions – regardless of which regional data center you’re stationed in.If a system issue occurs, your headgear would take over.

Is a switch, server or rack down? Temperatures rise/fall in an aisle? You get an alert right before your eyes as it happens.

2) Contact your technicians, support and suppliers without skipping a beat.

The lucky data center manager has a team of IT system pros working under them, taking care of their responsibilities. When something breaks down, you can instantly place a call or hold a hangout with the vendor and your team. Because you’re wearing your computer, you’ll be able to communicate with your team, suppliers and support staff even if your hands are tied.

Glass allows everyone to see the problem – no more need to paint a picture of a very complex problem.

3) Remote support.

When teleconferencing with colleagues and vendors, it helps to have your desktop screen shared so that those attending the meeting can easily follow what you’re talking about. This is also true as you walk the data center aisles. Discussing a new buildout with a partner – let them see the space. With Glass, you can easily capture streaming video of anything and share in real time.

The VAR Guy has a great post on how he sees IT Channel Partners as some of the first buyers of commercial Google Glass and how wearable computing might revolutionize remote IT support.

4) Meetings with your team become Hangouts.

One of the most challenging components of being a data center manager is HR. Chances are, you’ll be working with IT professionals on rotating shifts and somebody is always out of the office for vacation, conferences, etc… With Google Glass, you can host a hangout with your team easily and have everyone drop in. It doesn’t matter whether you are in a coffee shop, in a cab or in bed sick – you’ll be able to communicate with your whole team. Outfit senior management with glass, and you might get to see how their slice is coming along as you update them on your budget or initiatives!

5) Our favorite: Manuals and Tutorial overlays.

With Google Glass, troubleshooting hardware and applications would be much more convenient. It’s infinitely easier to call up installation and repair manuals, how-to guides and other resources viewed right on top of your problem, rather than jumping between your desk computer and the rack down the aisle.

Imagine watching a YouTube video of how something is repaired or installed – or an exploded diagram, projected over the equipment you’re working on.Tablets and smartphones have gotten us part of the way here, but having the use of both hands while installing a server or troubleshoot network problems is so much more efficient.

(At Vibrant, our technicians will use this all day long – we buy and resell quality, discounted refurbished servers.)

6) Better assets management without lifting your fingertips.

Locate or ID assets as you pass them, or scan a barcode or QR code (could these actually be finally useful). Imagine walking down the aisle, glancing at a cage and getting health monitor statistics, then sending them to the client, all in a few seconds.Never get lost in your data center again, as you tell Glass to pull back on your data center map and figure out how many aisles over your next project is.

…

The Future with Glass

Perhaps the most compelling feature of Glass is its flexibility, in combination with the unknown direction that Google, users and developers will take it in. Before we know it there will be thousands of useful apps for Glass (plus millions of useless ones). Data centers and colos can even create their own using Google’s API. Stay tuned!

Do you think Google Glass will be useful in the data center environment?

Any compelling use cases you could see that we haven’t outlined above?