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"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 are slowing your ability to get work done?
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 overview 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?
While you may not be able to control the future of the computing industry, you can and should plan
ahead for your 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 do what you intend for them to do, they are not obsolete!
The number 2 yellow pencil that we used as children is essentially the same today, as it was, (at least in my case) so many 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 bring in 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 is the editor of the FREE Eagle Flyer Newsletter,
which offers "How To Technology and Tips That Can Multiply
Your Business Online". To subscribe to the Eagle Flyer and
receive a FREE report, visit: Eagle Flyer
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