Scalability is the key.
THE DISCUSSION
Scalability! That should be in the forefront of all IT hardware purchases no matter how large or small. Are you buying enough? Will what you’re buying now fit your needs in two years? How about four years? Is the hardware upgradable?
We needed to purchase a new SAN as our current model was reaching end of life. User data storage was also growing exponentially. Our growth requirements were easily determined using two years of data. We evaluated several vendors before making our final selection. The model we choose allowed plenty of growth for future plus more if our computations were wrong. We purchased enough memory to meet our current needs and since memory was cheap, enough to meet our estimated needs for the next 12 months. Interesting to note, our estimates were wrong as user data growth increased faster than we determined. We ended up needing additional memory in 6 months versus 12. We purchased with scalability in mind and were able to easily meet our user needs. That SAN is still going strong today. Three years after the original purchase.
Remember; keep scalability in mind for all purchases.
THE ACTION
-Purchase the best technology you can afford but remember to purchase equipment that you can upgrade in the future.
-Take time to evaluate your needs for the present then estimate your needs for the future.
-Purchase what you need then add a little more. Don’t purchase more then you need. If your purchase is scalable and upgradable prices will go down in the future for your needed upgrades.
-Purchase strategically with the long term view in mind. Again, scalability is a key.
-Take time to evaluate vendors and evaluate what they say you need. If you have a fine working relationship with a vendor they will work with you on prices knowing that other vendors are involved.
Hint: Don’t let vendors talk you in to something you don’t need.
-DO IT NOW AND ENGAGE-
