Contributor: Philip Moon, Project Coordinator at SiteREADY

One of the most defining aspects of technology is that there’s always something newer, better and faster on the horizon. Whether it be a smartphone or a piece of AV equipment, by the time we buy what we think is the “it” model, a newer one is inevitably about to hit the market.

When it comes to network technology, change happens just as rapidly. How can you be sure the equipment you have is up-to-date and, more importantly, that it stays that way? At SiteREADY, we consider the big picture to ensure you are equipped with the best network solutions for your business—and that they’ll continue to serve you well as you scale for future growth. Here are a few things we look for, and that you should be conscious of, to be sure your network is running at optimal efficiency.

State-of-the-Art Isn’t Always the Answer

There are many factors to consider when building out a network infrastructure—and the “shiny object” is not always be the best solution. It might be the case that the newest technology won’t integrate well with what you already have in place, which would set in motion a bigger, costlier project than something that should have been as simple as, say, swapping out a router or switch. If your infrastructure is set up with old cabling, for instance, implementing a new circuit would be massively inefficient, as you’re never going to be able to reach the gig speed of which the device is capable. In this case, it’s just not worth the money.

Invest in What’s Right for You

While the latest and greatest may not always be the best solution, it’s still important to be aware of all the options available—and the fact that an updated version of the equipment you’re ready to purchase will likely be available in the not-so-distant future. We take a step back and look at your forecast growth as it relates to your technology infrastructure, weighing it against all the solutions currently available, as well as those soon to hit the market, to ensure you’re making the most cost-effective purchasing decision.

Know What You Don’t Know

In workplace technology, there’s a lot you don’t know—and a lot you don’t need to know. As workplace technology experts, we help guide you through the complexities of VPNs, wireless technology and security—but that doesn’t mean you should completely bury your head in the sand when you hear words like “data encryption” and “APIs.” If something goes wrong, it’s important to at least know enough about the technology to know what questions to ask in order to get it back up and running, or to communicate with someone who can restore service for you.

Protect Your Investment and Your Infrastructure

In addition to outfitting your space with the technology that enables you to do what you do best, SiteREADY will continuously work with you to keep your systems optimized for evolution as you grow. We build and maintain long-term partnerships with our clients, which gives us a profound and comprehensive understanding of what their pain points are and how we can help eliminate those challenges using technology. Are you getting the most out of your IT infrastructure? Connect with one of our technology consultants and together we’ll keep your workplace running at maximum efficiency—now, and in the future.