The time to upgrade – Part 2

In my last column I mentioned that I like to look at technology infrastructure in 3 distinct areas: Network Infrastructure, Server/Client Infrastructure, and Software Systems.

When I am evaluating possible upgrade opportunities, it is helpful to have these designations. It is worth mentioning that some of the systems and components will fall into more than one of these categories since they are very broad descriptions. (Utilize your technology provider for this assessment.)

Once you have completed an assessment of your current infrastructure, take a look at how your technology is being used.

Specifically, answer this question: How does your business utilize the current technology and where are the opportunities to make improvements to business processes?

It may seem like this is an elementary question but it helps to “take a step back”. This is a great question to tackle with your fellow business leaders.

In the smaller business this may be just you; but if you have others you can rely on for a candid perspective of your current technology investments then trust their evaluation.

The most common upgrades I come across are client systems and software systems. Usually this includes the desktops/laptops and their current operating systems.

With the price of computers today, this is a great upgrade to start on. All of the major manufacturers have desktop and laptop bundles that come with the latest OS for under $1,000.

For the smaller shops, this is a great way to boost user productivity. Your users will have an opportunity to be more productive with a desktop that is more responsive and able to handle more tasks.

In medium businesses, it is worth while to take a look at the server infrastructure. Your technology provider is a great resource to lean on here but there are a couple of things you can take a look at yourself.

For one, how old are your current workhorse servers that handle the bulk of you processing needs? This includes file, mail, and specialized software “back-end” servers.

Servers that have been around for many years can be a bear to deal with if you suddenly lose components. Critical parts such as the hard drive (or drives) and motherboard are tough to replace on older machines.

I have been in many businesses where the older systems are hanging by a thread and the company is dangerously close to losing their system (and data, productivity, money, etc.) Don’t be that company!

Remember, take a look at these critical systems and trust the recommendations of your technology provider. Also, include the business leaders in your company in any upgrade evaluation.

If you follow this guide in your next upgrade assessment, you will find that your upgrade investment is well spent and it may even add to your bottom line!