Standardized systems deliver more predictable performance, and proprietary technologies such as data compression can improve query response times.Other advanced technologies like Virtualization, properly deployed, can provide performance improvements, too.

VMware vSphere 5.0 can match or exceed native performance for more than 99% of SQL instances.  A recent TPC-E workload study demonstrated that in typical situations, virtual machines provide 90% to 98% of the native physical performance, even for larger 8 vCPU configurations.

• Increased reliability and availability. Server consolidation makes it more economic to provide high-availability configurations and dedicated support staff. Organizations also benefit from implementing better storage management and service continuity solutions.
• Improved infrastructure agility. In uncertain times, flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to changing needs of the business can help to maintain the competitive edge. Consolidation results in a more standardized, centralized and dynamic infrastructure, which makes it possible for systems to be more responsive to change and to quickly adapt to business needs.
• Improved resource utilization. Organizations may already have the resources that they need in order to consolidate. It is not uncommon for companies that possess powerful servers to be using only a relatively small percentage of those servers’ capacity. Consolidating by using these servers enables a company to make more efficient use of their resources and requires no extra investment in hardware.