Budgeting for Hardware Notes

 

 

 

It is worth noting that when you are budgeting for the yearly UDS support option of your choice, you are at the same time planning to receive new assets in the form of software updates and ‘releases’ of the Active Applications software. This is true since all updates and releases we send your way are included in the price of a support agreement with UDS. These new software 'assets' will include additional capabilities that will promote growth or bring added efficiency to your operation.

 

It is important that you should budget for yearly Hardware acquisitions too.

 

• Hardware wears out and sometimes breaks. Therefore a certain amount of regular replacement is inevitable and so is a small amount of repair.  Plan on the prospect of replacing most hardware after every three years of use on average.
• As hardware comes to the market that is more intelligent and can lower your cost of hardware ownership, you will want to investigate its' potential and acquire some of it.
• As your operation grows the workload placed on your system also grows. The speed and capacity of existing hardware must be routinely evaluated against this increasing load.
• Adequate system security against outside attack is important. Problems in this area can cost you. Although sometimes considered a software issue, does your existing hardware support the level of security you are seeking?
• As the capabilities of Active Applications continue to increase, with no end in site, more storage and number crunching power will eventually be needed to support this more powerful UDS software.  If your system’s performance should fall because of the increasing sophistication of UDS software, it may negate the benefits to some degree.
• Any high-end application suite, such as, Active Applications is sensitive to the system environment in which it resides.  A reliable and cohesive overall system is important. The hardware market will offer eventual advantages over what you presently own in this category also.
• A yearly systems performance check of your network and its’ components should be performed by your trusted local network support vendor. Particularly if their visits to your site are infrequent. This cost should be factored into your budget as well. Many of the questions proposed on this list would be answerable within the "findings" or results of a systems performance check up.  Ask them for help in scheduling for a gradual replacement of your existing hardware rather than attempting a replacement of every component within a short span of time.  Provided they don't find you in a 'pinched' situation, they should be able to help you "prioritize" your hardware replacement/acquisition list.