Posts Tagged ‘Capacity Planning’
Information Technology and Company Reputation
Company reputation is one of those make-or-break deals in today’s business climate. Companies like Zappos, which thrives on good word-of-mouth, have put the spotlight on the importance of customer service and online image in building a successful business.
However, company reputation isn’t just about good customer service. Company reputation goes beyond making a customer feel good to making sure your customers never realize that you put time, effort, and money into making the entire interaction positive.
For example, few customers think about the amount of capacity planning their financial may or may not have considered before going live with online banking. They don’t care how many other customers are using the billpay system at the same time as them, and they don’t care how much it costs you to create a secure network. What they care about is getting their financial information in real time and not being bothered by an overloaded system.
In this way, information technology is a lot like a building’s foundation. Few people know just how much architectural planning goes into creating the foundation for their home; all they know is that they want the house to remain solid even when earthquakes, mudslides, and regular wear and tear make their mark.
That’s why any negative feedback from consumers on the state of your IT system can be catastrophic to your business. This doesn’t just mean that you have to protect against an attack that threatens your customer data or safety; it also means you have to have a strong infrastructure that is able to make everything appear effortless and easy.
For many companies, this means you need a greater focus on capacity planning and IT vulnerability management. IT planning is, after all, the real scene-behind-the-scenes of any good company that operates online or utilizes a large database of customer information. Whether you need to build a new IT backbone from the ground-up, or you simply want to reassess your foundation and fill in the cracks, you, too, can benefit from a good company reputation.
Do You Need Some Help Choosing Hardware?
No matter how state-of-the-art your IT infrastructure is, sooner or later you’re going to have to replace it. It seems like there are new inventions every day, and when you combine this with all of the streamlining current products are going through, it’s amazing just how many options are out there. Memory is expanding, hardware is getting smaller and more efficient, and the entire process can be overwhelming.
Have you considered working with a consultant to get a little extra help? The world of information technology goes well beyond software, after all. An information technology consultant can work with you to find the best hardware for your business and help to create an IT infrastructure that saves time and money. Hardware, software, and training work in unison after all, so having a little help deciding what will be best for your business is essential.
What’s best for your business now isn’t the only thing to think about.
- How is your business growing?
- What technology options are necessary to support growth, and which ones are cosmetic?
- What can you implement to improve your bottom line?
- What new resources will you need over time?
You don’t want to overspend and waste money, but you also need to know that you have equipment that can grow with your company. This is another place where a consultant can shine. Their expertise is in helping companies realize their IT goals today as well as in their future.
Is a Data Center Right for Your Company?
In this day and age, one of the most pressings items of business in many companies is how to store data. Everything is done on computers these days, and there has to be some place to store it. Email, purchases, goods for sale, plans, detailed records, proprietary data and even transcripts of phone calls end up being saved. Couple this with the routine backups you should be doing on your network and, well, no matter what industry you are in, you’re probably going to need more storage.
A data center, also known as a server farm, is a third-party company whose business operates around storing other people’s data. Imagine not having to worry about your data being saved on time or being saved securely - it’s already being handled. Planning for your future storage needs is a critical part of any modern business plan, and hiring a data center takes this piece out of your hands and delegates it to data handling professionals.
Even if you are operating a small business, a data center can still be the right answer. Studies have shown that almost half of all small businesses collapse after a severe data loss. By minimizing the chances of this happening, you are making your company that much stronger. So, do yourself a favor. Look into data centers and see if they are right for you. Your needs may change over time, but you’ll always have information you need to keep safe.
Considerations for Creating a “Green” IT Infrastructure
Turning to technology for things like virtual conferencing and streamlined communications is actually a great first step in creating a more environmentally-friendly workplace. That’s because one of the worst ways a company can leave a larger carbon footprint (and spend unnecessary money) is to send employees by plane for things like conferences, training, and meetings.
However, when it comes to really having a positive impact in the business world, there are additional considerations. Depending on where in the building and planning stages you are, you might consider:
- Switching to electronic record-keeping. If your business keeps all correspondence (such as emails and text messages) and routinely prints out receipts or other documents for storage in a filing system, consider using electronic versions as a way to save on printing. You’ll also want to ensure that you have a secure backup system, including offsite and possible even offshore storage options.
- Building data centers in areas that offer greater options in eco-friendly technology. For example, an area that is naturally cooler and already in touch with alternative energy options is going to allow you to reduce your energy input. Choosing a location that allows for easy commuting can also be a good idea. This is an especially important step if you’re in the planning states of your IT development.
- Plan for automated processes wherever possible. It doesn’t matter whether you automate your monthly vulnerability management program or a paper-based customer service process – when things are planned in advance to be streamlined and efficient, the result is good for both your bottom line and the environment as a whole.
Of course, if you’re really dedicated to turning your company into a more “green” place to work, you’ll also want to consider eco-friendly building codes, employee incentive programs, or even more advanced technology options. The good news about going green is that no effort is too small, and anything you do today will impact tomorrow for the better.
How Well Have You Planned for Your Company’s Future?
Even in the dark days of recession, you are keeping your company running. Your planning and resources have made the difference, and even now you are making it through. You’ve planned for growth as well as for lean times, and even for a disaster.
Good for you. But just how well have you planned for your future IT capacity needs?
Your business relies on quick turnaround and even quicker communication. Your employees need to access data, to process it, and also to store it. They need to communicate with you and your customers as well as with each other. Knowing your system needs and how you expect them to grow will allow this to continue.
Think of your business as running along a pipe. With your current needs, you’re flowing along with some extra room. If there’s a spike in volume, you can handle it. What happens when your business grows? Will you invest in a huge pipe and let your business trickle along the inside? While you’ll certainly have the space to keep things moving, you’ll have wasted a lot of resources buying and installing far too much infrastructure.
Capacity planning is all about finding the balance between what you need today and what you’ll need tomorrow, while not wasting time and money purchasing too much. Your IT system keeps your business running, and it’s important to make sure that it continues to flow. By taking a look at your capacity needs and making plans for the future you can make sure that your data is can keep to its course without flooding over or backing up.