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February 21 VBJ

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THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL<br />

6 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com<br />

<strong>February</strong> 20<strong>21</strong><br />

Time to Update IT? Consider This<br />

A growing business will need to<br />

update their IT systems eventually. Most<br />

will look at what compute, storage and<br />

network resources are required to operate<br />

the business efficiently. Compute covers<br />

the processing end that is comprised of<br />

laptops, desktops, mobile devices along<br />

with back end servers. Storage includes<br />

anything from a local hard drive to a<br />

remote data farm for storing and maintaining<br />

key information both current and<br />

historical. Networking devices connect<br />

it together and may include both internal<br />

networks and connecting to the internet.<br />

The correct switches and routers need<br />

to be in place and maintained ensuring<br />

access for both employees and customers.<br />

Consider this when researching new<br />

technology. It’s important to understand<br />

how the new equipment stands up against<br />

three key IT concepts; Scalability, Redundancy<br />

and Environmental Footprint. For<br />

example, scalability looks at how easily<br />

and quickly additional compute power can<br />

be added in case of sudden growth. This<br />

may mean deployment of additional individual<br />

workstations or expanding the use<br />

of mobile devices. Applying scalability to<br />

storage considers how quickly additional<br />

space can be added with the least amount<br />

of service interruption. If the business<br />

were to suddenly see large growth in traffic<br />

to its website, networks must be easily<br />

updatable to handled increased demand.<br />

Large corporations rely on redundant<br />

environments to ensure their business is<br />

available 24x7x365. Whether manufacturing<br />

goods, providing online services<br />

or selling a product, the world-wide<br />

marketplace means someone may need<br />

to access data from your business at any<br />

time. Redundant storage arrays, servers<br />

and networking equipment ensure that if<br />

one piece of hardware fails, another takes<br />

its place seamlessly. Each business owner<br />

large or small has to decide how much<br />

downtime they can risk and purchase<br />

accordingly.<br />

Finally, environmental footprint.<br />

Technology manufacturers today put<br />

a great deal of effort into reducing the<br />

amount of power required for their<br />

compute, storage and network devices.<br />

Purchasing the most efficient for you IT<br />

strategy not only shows environmental<br />

responsibility but can also improve your<br />

bottom line. The expense of power and<br />

cooling can be one of the highest on the<br />

P&L so finding the best solution that<br />

matches your IT environment needs is key.<br />

There are other factors to consider<br />

but let these three be your guide in getting<br />

started. What it cost now in research will<br />

be a good investment by proper purchases<br />

for the future.<br />

Ted Saul is a business coach that assists<br />

with Business Plans and Project Management.<br />

He holds a master certificate in<br />

project management and has earned his<br />

MBA from Regis University. Ted can be<br />

reached on LinkedIn, TedS787 on Twitter<br />

or emailing TedSaulBiz@gmail.com.<br />

by<br />

by<br />

Ted Saul,<br />

Steve Fillingim<br />

Sr. Staff Writer<br />

www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com<br />

www.facebook/thevalleybusinessjournal<br />

For questions, comments, or story ideas, please<br />

e-mail publishertvbj@verizon.net or call (951) 461-0400.<br />

EDITOR/PUBLISHER/CEO<br />

Linda Wunderlich<br />

Email: publishertvbj@verizon.net<br />

ADVERTISING SALES INFORMATION<br />

(951) 461-0400<br />

CREATIVE DIRECTOR<br />

Helen M. Ryan<br />

VP OF DISTRIBUTION<br />

Dane Wunderlich<br />

STAFF WRITERS/<br />

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />

Gene Wunderlich<br />

Ted Saul<br />

Craig Davis<br />

Stefani Laszko<br />

Nicole Albrecht<br />

Julie Ngo<br />

Tom Plant<br />

Esther Phahla<br />

Steve Amante<br />

Monique deGroot<br />

Andrea Shoup<br />

Gloria Wolnick<br />

Dr. Drake Levasheff, PhD<br />

Mort J. Grabel, Esq.<br />

John & Christine Hamby<br />

Brian Connors<br />

Tristin Collopy<br />

Dr. Pat Utnehmer<br />

Bonnie Woodrome<br />

Haley Munson<br />

Criteria for Submitting Articles:<br />

1. Since the publication of articles is an added public<br />

relations feature for our advertisers, their articles will be<br />

given first priority. Other articles will be published on a<br />

space available basis.<br />

2. Articles should be submitted as a Word document file.<br />

3. Articles must be business-oriented and pertain to<br />

the author’s area of expertise. A photo of the writer is<br />

appropriate.<br />

4. All submissions are subject to editing by the publisher.<br />

5. Send completed articles by e-mail to: publishertvbj@<br />

verizon.net<br />

6. Article and advertising deadlines are the 15th of each<br />

month for the next issue.<br />

The Valley Business Journal is a California Corporation. All rights<br />

reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without the<br />

written permission of the Publisher is prohibited. The publication is<br />

published monthly. The opinions and views expressed in these pages<br />

are those of the writer or person interviewed and not necessarily those<br />

of The Valley Business Journal. The Valley Business Journal hereby<br />

expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, errors<br />

and/or inaccuracies any advertisement or editorial may contain, to<br />

the credit of the specific advertising payment and/or the running of a<br />

corrected advertisement or editorial correction notice.

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