Keeping With The Basics

When I began working in the world of Information Technology, back in the 1980's, computers were running MS-DOS, were significantly more expensive than they are today with substantially less computing power, and did not run software with all the bells and whistles that we have now. Back then, the basic tenets to acquiring a computer worked as follows:

1. Determine what you want to do on the computer.


2. Figure out which software allows you to do what you want.


3. Identify the computer that will run the software that you need.

Things were kept simple because the computer was not as "ubiquitous" and the machines were still too expensive for every home to have one for every resident therein. It was considered an investment by many and for that reason, only the fortunate ones had a computer on their desk. Nowadays, the pattern has changed, most desks have a computer on them, in fact the desks have changed to hold the computer with surface area as a secondary thought (so it appears). Either way, the computer is now everywhere and most people have them even those that have trouble finding electricity--computers are everywhere.

Which brings me back to the initial comment....

Now that computers are everywhere and have so much computing power, the decision tree has changed for many and the majority of users just have a computer and a full Office suite because it is packaged with the computer. But times are always changing and the cloud and virtual systems are entering the mix. Too many end users have heard the "buzz" and do not grasp the full meaning of virtualization or "the cloud."

When reviewing your technology needs, do not be allured to the "buzz de jour"--it is too easy to be sold on something that is either unnecessary or overkill. My suggestion is that you revert to the basics: Look at your business needs and identify the tools that will help you accomplish your tasks either faster, better, cheaper or all of the above. Do not lose sight of the fact that technology is in a constant state of change. You will never have the latest and greatest unless you truly have a need for it.

When clients ask me to help them purchase a computer for their offices, I typically interview them to determine what their needs inventory includes. If they do a lot of e-mail or writing, I see one option, if they tend to do extensive design work or layouts, other options come into play. You must be flexible and adaptable to the selections. If there were a cookie-cutter approach that worked for everyone, you can be sure that the larger players such as Dell, IBM, HP and Microsoft (maybe Google, too!) would be marketing their wares in Fast Ship offerings or some other ready-to-ship package that comes with "most of the features you could possibly need" setups.

Give Yourself A Litmus Test

If you were to buy a computer today, would it be a server? a laptop? an iPad? I guess it depends. It depends upon your needs, what you need to do, the space you have in which to do it, and the amount of money you have budgeted to acquire the machine. Is miniaturization critical to your success in using the machine? How portable must it be? Will it need to have a long battery life? Will it ever leave the desktop location? There are so many questions that you can ask yourself to determine which route to take, if I were to draw a decision tree it would be levels deep with extensive branches. You would look at it and summarily say "Why bother?!"

Do You Want Help?

Purchasing a computer and the software on it can be a headache, particularly if you are unfamiliar with what is out there nowadays. Would you overspend or overbuy? Would you miss out on an important component that if not purchased with the computer would be virtually impossible to compensate for? Will it be compatible with your other computers and software at the office? Not for nothing, but quite often, it is far more cost effective to hire a consultant or trusted business advisor to assist you in making these selections. Why should you waste your time reading up on a one-time purchase or involve yourself in a track that distracts you from your business focus?

You wouldn't send your nine year old child to a car dealership to purchase an automobile, would you? Why would you have an inexperienced person make a significant purchase without the background to clearly discern what is needed and what isn't? The next time you need to add onto your network or buy a computer, server or other technical component, consider looking us up. We are available to educate and inform you, to stand by your side and assist you. Let us come to your office and work with you in the capacity of a Trusted Business Advisor just as you would engage an accountant or a lawyer. The benefits are great and the risk is minimal. We can answer your questions and guide you through the difficult questions. To reach us, call (201) 797-5050 or email me at fred@tech4now.com. Our website, http://www.tech4now.com/ offers an extensive library of reference material and links to help you see how we can truly offer you more than "the boss's nephew" or the "smart high school student," we deliver over 25 years of hands-on technical and business experience to get you to where you want to be.