The True Cost of IT
It seems that everything today is network based whether it’s a time clocks, security cameras, HVAC controls, lighting controls, the list goes on and on. The network cable in most buildings over 10 years old is *Cat 5e if they are lucky. There are add-on’s from cheap residential switches to hook up a copier or maybe another user added, another printer at someone’s desk, piles of wires that look like spaghetti . There might be a hub tucked away in a closet because the boss told the maintenance tech “we need another hook up in that office because the new employee starts tomorrow” . Maybe it’s a Wi-Fi access point plugged in so someone could save their data on their phone. The list goes on and on. Unbeknownst to all involved they are degrading their network speed, performance, reliability and opening up a potential security hole to hackers.
It’s so easy to go to one of the chain stores and pick up a device that is perfectly suited for home use but can wreak havoc on a business network. There are reasons that a commercial switch can cost $500 and up and a residential one with what might seem the same specs and features is less than $40.00. To someone who is looking at the bottom line It seem like the right decision, but they do not know the true cost of what they inadvertently doing by adding residential equipment to the mix.
Commercial grade equipment is by design to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are different levels inside the commercial switch that allow techs to set up various connections to allow secure traffic, adjust data flow, duplex, spanning tree and other features. The commercial grade switches remember what device is on what port allowing faster speeds, error checking, routing and much more. Residential devices (unless on the very upper end) do not have the features nor are they reliable when pushed to extremes
So to sum up the true cost of IT, I like to calculate it like this:
One security breach could cost a lot of money to you and your customers (i.e. Credit card fines and fraudulent charges)
Down time and slow speeds because of the wrong equipment costs money by loss of productivity and repair costs.
Example: 3 hours of down time x 10 employees at $15.00 = $450.00 wasted productivity. Then the cost of the repair which could be anywhere between $110.00 to $175.00 per hour for a tech, usually a trip charge and then the cost of the device needing repaired If they have one with them. If not then there are the overnight shipping charges, then the return of the tech charge. So in simple terms the $40.00 switch that failed has now cost easily $1200.00 when it only would have only cost $650.00 (for the correct switch and a tech to set it up) to do it right the first time.
I use 3 hours because unless your company has an onsite IT person, chances are from the time your system goes down until the arrival of the tech is usually 2 hours minimum if the same day at all.
Spending money on the wrong equipment, then having to replace it with the right equipment is a waste of money and time.
There are also those devices plugged in using electricity. Do you know what devices are needed and what is left over from the last person that left the old equipment in place only to add new equipment? Phone charges or most power supplies are power suckers too. They user power when not plugged in to the device. Un-plug them when not in use. You’re saving money and being Green!
For all the owners, controllers accountants and people trying to improve the bottom line. Quality reliable IT service isn’t cheap but it is a lot cheaper than poorly designed networks and repair costs to go back do it right. Hire a professional the first time. Don’t add equipment without professional advice. It is well worth it in the long run.