« New Stuff to Microsoft Office 2007 | Home | Windows Vista Versions »

Computer Network Upgrading Strategy

By Jason Kato | April 7, 2007

QUESTION: We have a bunch of computers and a few servers. We upgrade the computers when they start to become obsolete and get very slow. We upgrade our servers when there is a problem or we buy new programs that don’t run on the servers any longer. Is there a better way to maintain our computers and servers?

ANSWER: In today’s world, technology changes so fast and new versions of both hardware and software are released each year. Because of this, you should step back and create a plan which is independent of technological changes. I use a capital expenditure plan because it takes the upgrades out of the latest and greatest mentality and makes the decision a financial plan where I believe it should be.

Similar to capital equipment for a manufacturing company, you should plan the expectancy of your computer systems and adhere to this plan as closely as possible. The first step is to inventory your current assets to determine the age of your current infrastructure. Typically I recommend a three, four or five year plan and project the impact financially to the company. If this approach is acceptable then I start to slowly phase out the hardware/software according to the plan. This usually takes two years to fully implement and you’ll find that some of the nagging problems of systems crashing and people complaining about wanting a new PC will begin to subside.

Great Question!

Sid Kato
President and CEO
Array Systems - Computer Network Services in Los Angeles

Topics: Computer Networks |