Last updated on Jul 25, 2024

Here's how you can choose the right technology solutions for your organization as a system administrator.

As a system administrator, you're tasked with selecting technology that aligns with your organization's goals and needs. This can be daunting, but the right approach can ensure that you choose solutions that not only fit the current environment but also scale for future growth. Whether you're evaluating server options, considering cloud services, or looking into network security, understanding your organization's unique requirements is vital. You must balance performance, cost, compatibility, and user experience to make informed decisions that will support your organization's operations effectively.

1 Assess Needs

Before diving into the vast sea of technology options, it's crucial to thoroughly understand what your organization requires. Start by evaluating the current infrastructure and pinpointing any gaps or areas for improvement. Consider both the immediate and long-term goals of your business. Engage with different departments to gather a comprehensive list of needs, including performance, scalability, and regulatory compliance. This assessment will serve as a guide, helping you to filter through technology solutions that are superfluous or ill-fitted for your organization's specific context.

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Miguel Ravelo

Strategic Planning | IT Governance | Enterprise Architecture | Infrastructure Operations
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In my experience, the most effective way to determine the technology solutions to support a particular business capability is to put a multidisciplinary team together that represents each layer of the OSI model, per se. More heads are better than one when assessing the specific business requirements and translation of those requirements to applications, databases, operating systems, hardware, platform, storage, backup, and recovery, whether it would be on premise or in the cloud. Such an architectural review team is the best method where technologists and technology leaders can ensure questions and answers from different individuals for each of them different technology layers are achieved.

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Michelle N.

ERP | Financial Systems Integration Specialist
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I share the same opinion as Michael Ravelo, whereby a multidisciplinary team leveraging an OSI model layered approach is just part of the equation. People, Process and Technology (PPT) is also a critical component. Operational Frameworks are often neglected, hence we miss our "Buy-In" opportunities to pitch how these layered components of the OSI model can and will benefit our audience. In the end it is about the "least path of resistance"; while improving our overall processes, which in turn improves efficiencies for our business.

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2 Set Budget

Financial constraints often dictate the range of technological solutions you can consider. Establish a clear budget early in the process, factoring in not just the upfront costs but also the total cost of ownership, which includes maintenance, support, and potential upgrades. It's important to communicate with the finance department to determine a realistic budget that aligns with the organization's financial health and priorities. A well-defined budget will keep your search focused and prevent overinvestment in overly sophisticated technologies that do not yield proportional benefits.

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Miguel Ravelo

Strategic Planning | IT Governance | Enterprise Architecture | Infrastructure Operations
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This is where a multidisciplinary team discusses and debates initial costs, as well as operating costs for the technology solution. There will be initial and operating costs associated with professional services, contractors, and even internal staff resources that are already being paid for, but you may want to show how much their work effort is costing. Or maybe we need to show this information to justify backfilling their positions with contractors. You also want to factor any software, licensing, or subscription based costs for application layer, database layer, possibly middleware, storage, hardware, and even data center real estate space. On your spreadsheet these costs should be shown in at least a 5yr TCO.

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3 Research Options

Once you understand your needs and budget, start researching the available technology solutions. Look for technologies that have a proven track record of reliability and vendor support. It's essential to stay abreast of the latest advancements but also to be skeptical of unproven technologies that might introduce unnecessary risk. Networking with peers in the industry can provide valuable insights into what solutions are effective in similar environments. This research phase is about gathering information to make an educated decision rather than jumping on the latest trend.

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Miguel Ravelo

Strategic Planning | IT Governance | Enterprise Architecture | Infrastructure Operations
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There are times when complex or massive projects call for more than what an internal, multidisciplinary technology team can deliver. There are inherent risks and consequences in an organizations biting off more than they can chew. In such cases, research may be facilitated by seeking out an expert in that particular space to consult and advise your organization. Other options include soliciting vendors that research has shown are top tier in delivering such business capabilities. structured techniques include using RFI, RFP, IFB, and RFQ processes to methodically compare vendor responses, and score them against one another. It may help to leverage research and advisory via consulting services like Forrester, Tech-info, or Gartner.

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4 Evaluate Compatibility

Compatibility with existing systems is a key factor in choosing the right technology solutions. You need to ensure that new technologies can integrate seamlessly with your current setup to avoid costly overhauls or disruptions. Evaluate how the new solutions will interact with your existing hardware, software, and workflows. Compatibility testing might involve setting up a controlled environment to simulate integration with your infrastructure. This step is crucial to prevent future headaches and ensure a smooth adoption of new technology.

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5 Consider Security

Security should be at the forefront of any technology decision. Evaluate how new solutions will impact your organization's security posture and ensure they meet industry standards and compliance requirements. This includes assessing data protection features, user access controls, and the ability to withstand cyber threats. It's also important to consider the security track record of vendors and their responsiveness to vulnerabilities. A secure technology solution is non-negotiable, as it protects not only your data but also your organization's reputation.

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6 Plan for Growth

Finally, consider how the technology solutions you choose will scale as your organization grows. Opt for solutions that are flexible and can be easily upgraded or expanded without significant reinvestment. Scalability ensures that as your organization's demands increase, your technology can keep pace without needing a complete overhaul. This foresight will save time and money in the long run and allow your organization to adapt quickly to changing market conditions or business opportunities.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can choose the right technology solutions for your organization as a system administrator.

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Assess Needs

2 Set Budget

3 Research Options

4 Evaluate Compatibility

5 Consider Security

6 Plan for Growth

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Administration

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Here's how you can choose the right technology solutions for your organization as a system administrator.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Set Budget

3 Research Options

4 Evaluate Compatibility

5 Consider Security

6 Plan for Growth

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Administration

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