Understanding Your Computer’s Lifecycle

Similar to vehicles, the way that computers are built today is very different in correlation to the past. While most people take exceptional care of their vehicles, the same procedures should never be neglected in order to properly maintain and preserve your IT infrastructure. These expensive pieces of hardware demand regular maintenance, cleaning, and examinations for any developing issues. The primary difference between a vehicle and a work computer is that a majority of work computers are used up to several hours each day. Additionally, a large scale of work computers are left running overnight, including some with multiple programs running while unoccupied.

Like purchasing a new car, IT infrastructure hardware and software is very expensive. It’s important to carefully scrutinize all of your options before choosing what type of hardware to purchase. If you will primarily use the new hardware for work purposes, which will also be located inside of a network involving other machines & access to sensitive data, the worst thing that you could do is make an impulsive buy. A few important questions you should ask yourself before purchasing new equipment include:

• Will you need more than one device to accomplish the task?
• Will the computer be compatible with other devices or machines on your network?
• Should the necessary operating systems already be installed, or require licenses?
• What are the available options when determining RAM and ROM requirements?
• Do you need to be able to upgrade the device with additional memory later?

Research Available Products

Inevitable problems can develop when companies fail to thoroughly research all of their hardware options before actually making a hardware purchase for their business. When it comes to selecting a new device for specific business needs, there is no such thing as “too much research.” By speaking with each department to determine its specific requirements, you can also confirm that you will be able manage the same tasks your business is familiar with on the new hardware you purchase. When you’ve finally settled on a new device, an additional thing to consider is contacting the vendor to inquire about any discounts you can receive.

Setting Up Your New Hardware

Next, request for an IT professional to set up your new hardware devices and import all of your data, files, and applications. This is extremely important for reducing user errors during the migration from defunct hardware to your new system. If something were to misconstrue through the process, it can only create greater problems when your employees attempt to use the computer and are unable to find the right software they’ll need for a specific job.

Getting Up To Speed Quickly

Getting swiftly up to speed is one of the longest stages of a computer’s life cycle, being that each business will have different policies with respect to different programs, along with any individual user configurations that make their job easier. Aside from the daily basic tasks you will complete for your job, someone will also be required to handle things such as data backups, software updates, or any other security applications during this stage. It is crucial to remember: the earlier you spot potential problems, the longer your hardware is likely to last.

Transitioning To New Hardware

Finally, when your computer becomes slow, glitchy, or just plain out broken, you’ll be obligated to transition to a new device once again. Before restarting the entire process, you should follow your company’s policy by disposing of the device in the correct manner. Do not forget that your sensitive information such as inventory, client data, or any licenses may still be present.

No matter how expensive your IT hardware is, it’s unfortunate that it will not last forever. It would be wise to understand your hardware’s life cycle so that you can extend the life of your computer for as long as possible. At Enterprise Computing Services, we manage your company’s IT infrastructure to ensure that you never have to worry about security, viruses, upgrades & more. Whether you need assistance in planning for new hardware, developing your disaster recovery plan, general information on outsourced IT support, or how ECS + My IT’s managed services can benefit your business, contact us at (318) 219-3427 today.