Ten Low-Cost Tech Improvements for 2010

With the advent and wide-adoption of technologies ranging from Windows 7 to Facebook to Cloud Computing, 2010 promises to be one of the most transformational years for technology and how technology is used.  This means that now, more than ever, is the time for you to re-evaluate the way you use your technology.  Here are ten low-cost things to do in 2010 that will make your computers, your network, and technology overall work better than ever, increasing reliability, reducing downtime, and possibly even saving you some green in the process…

1. Perform A Technology Audit

Leverage the expertise and guidance of a qualified consultant to evaluate the present state of your information system.  These IT professionals are current on new technologies, trends, and industry best practices in ways that the broader business community simply cannot be, and they use this expertise to assist you with translating your specific objectives into a strategic plan.  With so many innovations in 2009, expect them also to offer a number of recommendations you may not have expected.  Ultimately, the cost of professional guidance in developing a solid strategy will likely prove to be one of the best tech investments you make all year.

2. Upgrade Your Software

Microsoft’s introduction of their latest generation of operating systems and applications, like Windows 7, Office 2010, and Exchange Server 2010 greatly improves on prior versions, but they also change the way applications function in a manner that will soon render previous versions obsolete.  Are you still running Windows 2000?  Beware, Microsoft presently plans to eliminate support, including security patches on July 13, 2010.

3. Replace Out of Warranty & Older 32-Bit Hardware

With low financing rates presently available and the cost of new technology becoming even more affordable, replace outdated hardware with the latest energy efficient, most reliable, and faster solutions on the market today.  Replacing 32-bit systems with 64-bit systems allow you to break the 4 gigabyte memory barrier and allow users to get more done in less time.  For example, let’s say that a $500 computer that saves a team member fifteen minutes each day.  Comparing the cost of staff time and payroll, that’s a Return On Investment (ROI) that pays back in just a few months.

4. Switch To Low Power, Green Information Technology

Implement Green Information Technology solutions such as power saving surge protectors, server virtualization, proximity technology and network policies that save energy and money.  Why continue to waste precious resources both internally and externally when it is easy to implement instant savings through responsible, reliable and cost effective Green IT solutions?  ANALYSYS is saving $13,000 in power costs, and $75,000 every year in reduced technology and support costs through our Green IT initiatives… truly an opportunity to do more, with less!

5. Eliminate The Servers & Start Computing In The Cloud

Going to the cloud involves eliminating technology in your office, network room, or in-house data center, and moving your data to systems managed by an off-site colocation or data center facility.  The providers who offer these cloud computing services make a business of delivering a reliable and predictable networking experience that scales to your present level of need, whatever that may be.  One great ANALYSYS client, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, is saving up to $7,000 up-front and $16,000 per year in costs by making this transition, and that’s before you account for the costs of maintaining these systems.

6. Replace Tape Backup with Disk-Based Continuous Data Protection (CDP)

Tape backups, the gold standard for many, many years necessarily require a tremendous amount of human intervention.  Swapping tapes, checking and managing backup logs, and long waits are a thing of the past now.  Replace these relics with a disk-based solution.  The difference?  Instead of a snapshot from last night, these back up continuously, streaming data from servers as changes are made.  Restore a file from 15-minutes ago?  No problem!  In  the event there is a physical loss of the systems that hold your data you can extend off-site replication simply and easily by adding a backup appliance at a second site, or by renting space from a qualified data center hosting facility.

7. Monitor Your Network Using Software Tools for Low-Cost 24x7x365 Coverage

Take advantage of Remote Monitoring that provides 24/7/365 coverage for your network.  These systems are always watching the metrics that you define as important, automating checks for vulnerabilities and future problems that human network administrators would normally perform on a manual basis.  Monitor for important things like… Is my internet access working?  Is my server’s Hard Drive out of space?  Is my website online right now?  If and when a problem occurs, you can receive a text message and quickly work to resolve the problem.

8. Go Wireless & Work From Anywhere, Inside & Out

Wireless technology is empowering the workforce to move about the office freely and to work outside the office from anywhere.   New advancements reduce “dead spots” making these technologies more reliable and increase security helping to ensure that networks are impervious to attempts at unauthorized access.  Look for wireless 802.11g technology for your network internally.  While out of the office use SSL-VPN technology with wireless 3G or 4G service from your local mobile phone provider.

9. Understand & Harness The Power of Social Media

The growing and ever-evolving social media culture is changing the way we communicate, creating unique opportunities and risks for stakeholders at various levels of management.  Be prepared and stay current.  This means you need to create internal policies that monitor and control acceptable use of company time, technology and proprietary information.  You will also want to decide how or if your marketing efforts will take advantage of the community building and business models being created in social media.

10. Organize Your Electronic Data & Paper Files

2009 saw the introduction of the sub-$100 terabyte disk drive.  This is a direct response to the tremendous growth and demand for storage capacity.  Take this opportunity to expand the storage capacity of your network, and use this new free space to organize and catalog all your data on and off-line.  Digitize older paper records and make them searchable through OCR technology that incorporates your paper trail into your digital vault of crucial information.  Make this content available online through the use of portal technology like Microsoft SharePoint Services which comes free with Microsoft Small Business Servers.