What your IT network support dilemma has in common with Network
Rail
In the last article we asked: is IT network support a business
essential? To get a perspective on the question we compared it to
the dilemmas of whether to pay for car breakdown cover or travel
insurance.
However, both those dilemmas are about emergency cover. The
question of ongoing maintenance didn't come into it.
And that question, which faces every business relying on an IT
network, is whether ongoing maintenance is necessary to avoid
emergencies in the first place. To understand the dilemma facing IT
managers, compare it to another well known network: our public
railway.
Is maintenance essential for Network Rail?
The answer is probably 'no'-at least, for a while.
The track itself is sturdily made, and competently installed. It
has a certain lifespan; it's designed to have trains running along
it all day, so it should be a while before anything goes wrong.
However, even with only a small amount of uncertainty, the risks
quickly multiply. For a start, each track depends on hundreds of
sections working together. It's not enough for most of them to
work: they need to all work at once, or the whole thing doesn't
work. You've got unknown risk factors too, such as the weather, or
unseen manufacturing defects.
And running on that network there's a lot at stake: the safety
of passengers.
Even when trains are running happily, somebody needs to keep an
eye on the condition of the track and arrange preventative
maintenance work where necessary to ensure that safe runnings will
continue.
You could, of course, only pay for a network technician when
something goes wrong and your computers, servers, printers and
laptops can't interconnect. There'll be a call out charge, plus a
charge for their time and expertise. Meanwhile your business will
suffer IT downtime while the problem gets fixed.
With IT network support, however, you don't just get the benefit
of inclusive fixed prices covering any emergencies. You also get
the benefit of continuous remote monitoring. IT network engineers
can keep an eye on your network health and apply preventative fixes
without you even knowing.
Again, there's a lot at stake: the smooth running and
profitability of your business.
Chorus IT has been providing Bristol companies with network
support for ten years and can answer any questions you might have
about the technology you need covering. Please contact us on 01275
398900 for more information.
