Technology. Too often it’s the bane of our existence, but let’s be honest, businesses simply cannot function without it. Not everyone can be an IT expert, which is why many small organizations find themselves struggling to stay current and maintain their technology.
For example, let’s say you just bought a couple of new computers for your business. You’re hopeful that they will last as long as possible to get a maximum return on your investment. Here’s where the stumbling blocks begin. How long is too long to wait before making upgrades? What is the best way to ensure your technology remains up to date without any issues?
The first step to ensuring a long and productive lifespan for your technology is purchasing the right equipment.
It’s Time to Upgrade: Now What?
Once you’ve determined your tech needs upgrading, it’s time to begin planning. What does your organization need? Are there any requirements a new device will need to have? Netzbahn suggests Dell or HPE equipment purchases since both have onsite service options. Systems will need to be configured based on network settings, required software, and data you will want to migrate. This step can be rather simple if starting from scratch, but the best option in most cases is calling in the experts to help with configuration and migrations.
Maintenance, Upgrades, Parts & Repairs
As much as we’d like every technology to work perfectly, there will always be things that need to be addressed, from upgrading software to general hardware repairs. If you have IT staff, that’s great, but if not, your organization will want to bring in outside experts to help along the way. This will save your organization valuable time and eliminate the cost of hiring other employees.
How to Know When It’s Time for an Upgrade
As a rule, desktops should be replaced every three years since that’s the duration of a good hardware warranty, although this standard depends on how team members use their computers. For example, the operating system and dependence on cloud computing can make a difference. High-powered enterprise software users and companies with multiple local databases will need to replace their desktops every two years (at least) based on the workload.
When it comes to servers and SANs, five years is the average longevity, as long as the organization purchases and follows a prescribed maintenance and hardware warranty plans.
The key to getting as much use as possible from a PC is to purchase standard business systems rather than the less-capable consumer version. The former will provide longevity, offer features designed for professional work, and come with better service and warranties.
With all the constant changes and upgrades in the technology world, it is important to have a plan in place for purchasing, maintaining, and eventually decommissioning[ computers and servers. This is where IT professionals come in.
Experienced specialists like the Netzbahn team can help your organization plan and manage the entire lifecycle; from purchase and set up, to general maintenance, and when the time comes, replacement.
Contact Netzbahn today to learn what they can do for your business. We’ll make managing the lifecycle of your technology as easy as possible.