Purchasing IT Equipment for Your Business

Everyday there is something newer, faster and better than what you have now. That’s the nature of the technology market, however, having the latest and greatest isn’t always the most cost effective. If you have done everything you can to maintain your old equipment and you or your CIO have determined that purchasing new equipment cannot be avoided, we want to make sure that decision is strategic and can be executed in a smooth manner.

This is where your IT partner’s expertise will save you some money and avoid unnecessary issues. They know everything that is going on in your It environment and are knowledgeable about what you need and don’t need. When a business tries to step around their IT provider to purchase equipment in hope of finding a “good deal”, they risk losing time and money if their purchases are not thoroughly researched. 

If you are a small to medium size business, we recommend NEVER buying consumer grade machines that you can pick up at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. These machines are for home users and don’t come with the features and resources for a business that demands the most from their technology. Don’t let the price tags mesmerize you.

Your IT partner has trusted relationships with authorized equipment vendors and that gives them access to more inventory which gives you more flexibility in building out your IT environment.  

iTSC will configure your new equipment so it is ready to go when you receive it. When you have us deploy your new machines, iTSC will:

• Install all software needed for work
• Remove unnecessary programs that clutter up your system
• Install anti-virus software
• Update security patches and system updates
• Install our remote management tools if necessary
• Ensure connectivity to all required resources 
• Create master image for future workstation deployment

If you still want to hunt down deals on your own to save a few $$$, make sure to consult with your IT partner so they can give you a minimum set of specifications to go off of. When you find something that fits your needs, run it back by your IT partner so they can ensure it is a good fit for your environment. The last thing you want to do with a big purchase is buy a lot of new problems. 

Here are some preliminary questions to ask when investing in new IT equipment:

Does this device have the resources that align with my needs?

• Make sure that the components installed have the power to run your business. Check the specifications before you purchase. 
• Some equipment has room for adding components when you need to increase its processing power.

Is the hardware/software compatible with my current IT environment?

• Can this device be deployed in a server environment?
• Ensure you have enough room in your IT closet for the equipment with enough space for adequate air circulation.

Does this equipment easily scale with my IT environment, or will I need to buy something bigger?

• Some equipment comes with room to add more components to increase processing power. 
• Some devices are managed in the cloud and can be pre configured. This is ideal if you need to deploy multiple divides to different locations. 

Do I have the staff to configure and deploy this device(s)?

• Will I need outside IT support to get these device(s) operating properly and securely, or can my IT team handle everything?
• Does the manufacturer or seller provide support to deploy the device? 

What will it take to properly manage this device(s)?

• What happens if it stops working, produces errors, or has to be networked with other devices? 
• Do I have IT support to solve these issues quickly?

What are the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty?

• Warranties should be taken into consideration when making purchase decisions. Think of them as perks for choosing that product. You may get full onsite support, free upgrades, or deployment services by the manufacturer; it all depends. 

• Be sure to review the warranty terms to see what additional support is included. 

Are there additional costs associated with the device(s)?

• There’s always other costs associated with new equipment that you won’t see in the price tag.

• How long will it take from purchase to fully operational? The cost of NOT having this device up and running on the network should be calculated into the true cost of the device. 

These are just a few things to consider before you even start looking for new equipment. If you don’t have an IT expert on your staff or you don’t have the time to go deep into the technology rabbit hole, reach out to iTSC and we’ll be happy to assist you in making the right decision with your future equipment upgrades.