"HEY... I just bought this thing, and it's already obsolete!"
By Ralph Moore

In this rapidly changing "information age", you are
continually bombarded with the idea that you need to
upgrade your hardware, and software, or it will be obsolete.

It seems that as soon as you have purchased and installed
a new system, or some needed software, a new technology
arrives to once again demand more of your hard-earned money.

And that's not all! In addition to the cost of the physical
systems, there is the added expense of ongoing employee
training, and less effective or lost work time.

What can you do to slow down this apparently escalating
vicious cycle? How can you get the most value from your
computing equipment, and remain competitive in your business?

First, you have to go back to your business plan. Instead of
reacting to the latest press releases for hardware, or some
new computer program, you need to focus on your short-term
and long-term business goals. Where do you want to be in the
next year, the next three years?

Once you know this, you can assess your current equipment
inventory, and plan for the eventual upgrade or replacement
of relevant computer hardware, software, network and
communications systems.

In order to determine that your equipment is truly obsolete,
and, therefore, needs to be either replaced or upgraded, you
need to ask some questions.

1. Does the current equipment do what you need it to do?
   (Will it be adequate in the future?)

2. Will it run all of the software that you need to use?
   (Are there software alternatives?)

3. Is your workstation or server fast enough?
   (Can you add a faster processor or more RAM memory?)

4. Are there network issues that slow down your ability to
   do your work?
   (Do you need to add a hub, a switch or a router to
   enhance your network?)

5. Do you have adequate storage space for all of
   your information?
   (Can you add a larger or another hard drive?)

6. Do you have adequate resources for security and virus
   protection, and are they working properly?
   (Are you going to add these "sometime", or after you
   "really need them"?)

7. Do you have a working backup system to protect your
   valuable information?
   (Do you have a way to recover in an emergency?)

8. Are all of your employees communicating effectively
   with you, and each other, so that you always have an
   accurate view of your entire operation?
   (Do you need network capable software that can be
   updated by everyone?)

9. Do you have a plan to test for unforeseen circumstances?
   (If not, what will you do when problems arise?)

While you may not be able to control the future of the
computing industry, as a whole, you can (and should) plan
ahead for your future business computing needs.

Further, you need to remember that the care and training
of your employees is an investment in your business future.
You need to re-assess your computing needs, from time-to-time
(we recommend twice a year), and insure that you are where
you need to be.

As long as your computers, communications and network
equipment, other hardware and software do what you intend
for them to do, then they are not obsolete.

The "number 2 yellow pencil" that we used as children is
essentially the same today, as it was when we were children,
many (at least  in  my  case) years ago.

Unfortunately, we no longer rely upon a pencil, alone, to
get all of our work done. Depending upon the complexity of
your business, and it's equipment needs, you might find it
useful to consider a professional consultant to help with
the planning and implementation of any necessary changes
and upgrades.

Once again, we are living in the "information age", a time
of great and rapid change. While the benefits are many, the
costs are surely higher, as with any "pioneering times".

Whenever you include your future computing needs in your
overall business plan, then you will gain the greatest
value from your systems, and forestall their inevitable
replacement.

Ralph Moore, editor of the FREE Eagle Flyer Newsletter,
Provides "Motivational, Marketing and How To Technology
Tips That Can Multiply Your Business Online".
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