There is a direct correlation between how well a business receives, processes, and manages information and their levels of productivity and ultimately - their bottom line. There is also no denying that the cost of purchasing, owning and supporting reliable information systems can be challenging to business owners. However, many companies have found the solution to the problem, and are enjoying the advantages of fast, well managed, information systems without buying the first piece of equipment.   

Now most people become skeptical at this point, and think "how can this be," or "why is it so important to have new equipment?" In the next few paragraphs, your view of the technology in your office is liable to change forever.

What are the two most important pieces of equipment for storing, managing, and processing data in a typical business? If you said computers and servers, you're now 1 for 1.  So, why is the total cost of ownership for workstations and servers so expensive? The reason that most business owners and managers don't appreciate the true cost of workstations and servers is because they only account for the cost of acquisition of the physical equipment. They rarely include the cost of deployment, image management, patching and upgrading, data migration, support costs, repair costs, and the fact that the majority of warranties expire with three years or less.

 At this point, if you are starting to realize how much money you're actually pouring into workstations and servers, you may be thinking..."if it's so expensive, why would I want to keep buying new equipment when what I have is working?" The latest Gartner study on asset lifecycle management reveals that workstations begin to experience markedly higher failure rates and slower performance after 3 years, while the performance of a server drastically declines at four years of age. Can workstations and servers keep working beyond these time frames? Sure, but it puts an unnecessary risk on the business. Correct repair parts can be costly and difficult to locate. Older computers are more prone to component failure, make it harder to properly secure your electronic data, and often don't have the necessary performance required for modern applications, such as the newer security applications like software firewalls and anti-virus programs. The cost of repairing or replacing computers or servers outside of warranty can make anyone swallow hard, and the cost of your business being down or unable to operate due to systems failure can be even worse than the actual repair cost. Many times, even when the old equipment is clearly not worth repairing, it still must be done to recover the critical data stored on it.

Now that we've shown why having up-to-date servers and workstations is critical to provide system uptime and high levels of productivity, how can you ensure that your company always keeps  fast and reliable equipment without having to purchase new servers and workstations?

One thing that truly sets Guidant Partners apart from our competitors is that we not only monitor, manage, and secure your information systems; we provide our clients with workstations and servers. We take on all the cost for your new equipment. It's just one of the many ways we eliminate risk for our clients and their businesses. And yes, as long as we're partners, we will continue to replace your computers every 3 years and your servers every 4.

With technology constantly evolving, it's important to make sure your business has dependable and efficient equipment. The cost of keeping your technology current can be overwhelming, but Guidant Partners is ready to help and provide you a true competitive advantage. If your business is relying on risky, outdated equipment, or your support and repair costs are continuing to rise, let show you a predictable and affordable alternative. Quality information systems are no longer a luxury, they are a requirement. To ensure that the technology in your office is up-to-date, your risks are reduced, your costs are controlled, and your information systems are fast and reliable; please contact Guidant Partners or visit us on the web at www.guidantpartners.com.