How to Build IT Infrastructure That Won’t Break the Bank

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Running a small to medium-sized business can come with its fair share of struggles. You will find yourself needing solid technology, but may not have a massive amount of cash to throw at the problem.

    Where IT infrastructure is concerned, getting it wrong early on can hurt future business success, whether that comes in the form of systems crashing at the most inconvenient times possible or surprise costs arising.

    Fortunately, there are ways you can build hardworking IT systems without breaking the bank.

    How to Build IT Infrastructure That Won’t Break the Bank

    The Benefits of Proper Servers

    Dell tower servers are designed for small to medium-sized businesses (rather than massive corporations with server farms) and will be a fantastic addition to your overall IT infrastructure.

    Servers are there to juggle multiple tasks at once, whether that’s file storage, databases, or business apps. Whatever it is, servers will help everything run simultaneously and smoothly.

    Oh, and there’s no need to buy a whole new system every couple of years. With tower servers, you can add storage and drives, while also being able to upgrade processing power when you need it. This makes them both convenient and cost-effective.

    Stop Paying for Unused Software

    Your hardware could be fantastic, but you may still be losing unnecessary money on the software side. In fact, it’s very common for businesses to pay for tools they don’t use, or have multiple apps that basically do the same thing.

    When you find yourself with a spare couple of hours, audit what you’re actually using. You may find you’ve got overlapping tools that could be consolidated.

    The smartest setup usually consists of a mix. We recommend keeping your critical data on your own server where you can control it, but using cloud solutions for backups.

    This way, you get the security and control where it’s needed, but you aren’t overpaying for everything to be on-premises or subscription-based.

    Invest in Reliable Networking 

    Smaller businesses often think a consumer-grade router will suffice, but slow Wi-Fi or intermittent connections can be detrimental to overall business productivity.

    Business-grade networking equipment is designed to handle multiple users and heavier traffic, and its management software will make it very simple for you to monitor your network.

    Using Cat6 Ethernet cables instead of older cabling ensures that your connections are both stable and quick. You could consider a VPN solution like OpenVPN or NordLayer, which can securely connect remote employees to your network without exposing sensitive data.

    Plan for Data Backup and Disaster Recovery

    A carefully built IT system is still vulnerable if data is lost, so it is essential that you have a backup plan in place.

    This doesn’t mean you need an expensive enterprise solution to stay safe; a hybrid approach will work well. Keep a copy of essential files on a local server or external hard drive for immediate access.

    Automating backups and testing them regularly will show you that they actually work when you need them. Combining local control and cloud security will give you peace of mind without draining your infrastructure budget.

    Conclusion

    Building an IT infrastructure that effectively supports your business doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Simply investing in scalable servers, auditing your software, using reliable networking equipment, and planning for data backup can help you create an efficient and cost-effective system.

    Remember to strike a balance between on-premises control and cloud flexibility, and focus on reliability.

    A thoughtful approach can allow your IT setup to become a solid foundation for your business, helping you to grow and focus solely on your entrepreneurial goals.