The idea of not maintaining your car would strike most of us as odd, and carrying out regular maintenance of a computer system should be something that is treated with equal seriousness. If you think your car is an essential part of your life day-to-day have a look around your workplace and consider just how big a role computers and computer systems play in your work life.
If a car is not regularly maintained it will break down. The same principle applies to computer systems. In business, computer systems are essential. We maintain contact with customers using computers; we communicate with our colleagues, those on-site and those off-site, using computers; we create, share, and store data using computers and this data is critical to how a business operates. It is no exaggeration to say that a modern-day business could not function properly without computer technology; so keeping computer systems maintained has to be a priority.
To have a better idea of how essential computer system maintenance is, consider specific elements of a computer system and the role they play in a business:
Individual PCs: These should be maintained regularly, with upgrades carried out when required, not only for efficiency purposes but to patch any potential vulnerability to cyber threats. Data security for an organization begins with individual PCs and the employees who use them so make sure everyone is clear on their responsibilities and are aware of what internal controls and risk management strategies are in place. Employees are often the weak link in cybersecurity, owing to the lack of awareness of just how vulnerable computer systems are to security threats and data breaches. In addition, a regular audit of computer equipment should be carried out to identify what needs upgrading and what might need to be replaced. Implementing a low-energy policy for computer equipment in the workplace is not only good for cutting down on energy costs but can also put less strain on the equipment and extend its life.
The server room: Also known as a coms room, this is the heart of any networked IT system. A server manages, processes, and stores data with much greater reliability and efficiency than a typical desktop PC so its benefit to a business is obvious. When you think about the individual components of a coms or server room then you realize the extent to which regular maintenance is required to keep it up and running. A server room will have air conditioning; voice and data cable; environmental monitoring systems; gas extraction systems; and fire detection and suppression systems, to name just a few of its components. A server room has to be able to meet the needs of a business as the business grows, so expansion of the sever room capacity is another maintenance issue that has to be kept in mind.
Scheduling regular maintenance of computer systems gives business and IT professionals peace of mind knowing that the organizations they work in can get on with day-to-day tasks and meeting broader business objectives.
