You’ve got a growing business and, as the owner, that carries a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. To protect your data, keep operations running smoothly (and secure and compliant), and have room to grow, updates must happen in your data center from time to time. With that said, how do you handle updates smoothly? Below are smart tips to manage hardware upgrades and replacements.
1. Assess Your Current System
An audit is a great start to the process. That makes it clear what hardware you currently have, which then tells you whether it’s still applicable, needs replacing with something better, or requires another option. The audit should include your servers, storage devices, and network equipment.
2. Schedule Upgrades
Doing upgrades on the fly isn’t a good idea, as it can disrupt business and stress out your team. It can lead to complete outages if anything goes sideways, which can cost you money as it brings operations to a grinding halt. Instead, set a time and let employees know which hardware and associated services or products will be down and for approximately how long. Many business owners prefer to stagger outages to reduce disruptions.
3. Invest in Spare Parts and Reliable Storage
The audit you conducted earlier showed you what will be needed for the data center upgrade. Now is the time to get the replacements, as well as spare parts and enterprise-level storage. Choose a trusted supplier like LA Sysco Technologies LLC: Leading Server Parts Wholesale Supplier matters. A reliable supplier provides certified storage and hardware, reducing the risk of early failures. They also make sure the parts you buy are compatible with your existing infrastructure to avoid costly mistakes.
4. Test New Components
Before fully changing over the components in your data center, test new servers, storage devices, and other parts in a controlled environment. That prevents failures that you hadn’t anticipated, as you can test in a safe way, without it affecting live business operations. Once you work out what’s needed and how it’s performed, you’re in a much better position to upgrade your data center.
5. Document Activities as You Go
Any responsible business owner knows that you ought to document new processes and changes to existing ways of operation. Only then can you have the paper trail to know what works and what doesn’t, as well as having a record of when you started which activities. This is handy for members of your team to refer to when needing guidance in the future, as well as when or if you eventually sell your business. Having a paper record of when outages will occur also helps keep employees on track with what’s happening.
Conclusion
Data center hardware upgrades and replacements don’t have to be a major source of stress. While you need to take them seriously, of course, as a business owner, the process can be a smooth one when you follow the steps above. That is the way to expand your business properly, helping ensure it stays strong for a long time to come.