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| by Allen Falcon |
Trends in the NewsRecent issues of Computer Reseller News, a publication for computer and network sales and service companies, have reported several interesting trends:
At the same time, most companies do not have the necessary expertise to plan, purchase, and implement network infrastructures without assistance. With Voice Over IP (VoIP), Power over Ethernet (POE), and increasing security demands, we expect this trend to continue.
With multiple, competing technologies and many new vendors, the cost of
network-based storage has dropped dramatically, making Storage Area
Networks (SANs) an affordable alternative for many small and mid-size
businesses. If you have a multiple server environment, network-based
storage lets you run a single, high-availability storage server. Disk
space is then allocated to specific servers and/or applications.
Network-based storage lowers your storage cost on a per GB basis and lets
you adjust your storage allocations without having to rebuild and/or
migrate systems. Network-bases storage also supports “backup to disk”
capabilities that can increase the performance and flexibility of your
backup/recovery solution.
Key to the lower cost of SANs is the emergence of iSCSI technology.
Using iSCSI, servers can connect to a SAN device via Gigabit Ethernet.
Given that most new servers ship with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, there
is no incremental cost per server. Most vendors recommend a dedicated
Gigabit Ethernet switch for the SAN, a relatively modest cost. Entry level
systems can provide up to 6 TB (6,000 GB) of space and support up to ten
servers.
Microsoft and its primary competitor, VMWare, are practically giving
away server virtualization technology. By allowing you to run multiple
“virtual” servers on a single physical machine, server virtualization
reduces overall hardware costs and makes it easier to load balance
applications. While companies with larger data centers are still working
out the “kinks”, the technology holds promise for companies with smaller
computer rooms. If you run any test/development servers, server
virtualization can reduce your hardware requirements. | |||||
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| Chris Caldwell | Vendor Management
Pays Off 
If you
purchase hardware and software through, or with the assistance, of a
network service company, how they facilitate the purchase may be costing
you money. Most vendors are moving to a business model that offers
discounts off published pricing based on total dollar volumes, a tactic
designed to build loyalty in the battle for market share. If your service
provider orders from vendors using your customer number or does not
consolidate most purchases through a single account, you are likely
missing out on discounts. Make sure your service provider is aggregating
volume on your behalf.
Want to save more when buying hardware or software? Let your preferred vendor know which competitors are under consideration and ask for competitive incentives. Many vendors, including Cisco and Dell, will offer additional price breaks in order to keep out the competition. A final cost saving tip: If you plan on spend more than $15,000 to $20,000 on hardware and software over the next year, share you intent with your preferred vendor. You might qualify for “preferred” account status. In addition to increased discounts based on your volume, you should receive better pre- sales support and access to technical specialists. | |||||
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