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Do I need something shiny and new?
When the life cycle of computer hardware is as short as 1 year before it becomes obsolete, we have to pay attention to what is to be done about upgrades. Luckily, most hardware still has a life cycle of three years or more. Still, it is important to carefully consider what hardware must be upgraded, and what hardware upgrades can be planned for the future.
What happens when things go wrong?
Even sometimes more important, there are many secondary effects to upgrading hardware - the biggest being compatibility. Will software licenses transfer - or for that matter, will other software and external hardware even continue to work? More often than expected, the answer can be "no". A "key" dongle, that attaches to the back of a computer by the parallel port, simply won't work if the new computer has no parallel port, which is fairly common, as USB has replaced most uses of parallel ports, which were typically used for printers. This means the estimating software that used that key also won't work - devastating if all your estimating work has been done with that software. Perhaps more common are issues surrounding input devices and monitors. Not so long ago, most monitors used a standardized VGA port. Now, flat panels may use one of several standard port types to connect - and replacing a perfectly good flat panel with another isn't normally a planned expense, but if the new machine doesn't have the proper type of port available, you are faced with finding some sort of compromise.
Even laptops aren't immune from upgrade issues - the newest MacBook Pro comes with a Mini-DigiPort video output, which cannot connect to any analog monitor (including your TV) without special adapters. Even as recently as 2 years ago, the MacBook came with a Mini-DisplayPort, which uses a single adapter that normally can ship with the unit, whereas the new adapters are not even made or supported by Apple.
When you order an upgraded part, you want to be certain that such issues are at the very least accounted for, if not avoided entirely. Avineo Inc. has been consulting with businesses and individuals, and making sure upgrades happen smoothly, and the customer gets what they are expecting. We are aware of software release dates and how they effect software - As I write this, it would be ridiculous to buy a machine with Windows Vista on it, when the Windows 7 release date is only 10 days away. No free upgrade certificate is worth the hassle of doing an operating system upgrade, when the problem would disappear by simply waiting a week to order.
Where do I go to find answers?
Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us, yet satisfaction is linked to productivity, and both are linked to the bottom line on a balance sheet (or an invoice!) - Avineo Inc. has worked with many online retailers, and knows where to shop for the best deal - which isn't always the best price. We recommend Dell, NewEgg.com, and TigerDirect.com - but we don't stop there. For some items, a well established eBay store will do well - and for others, Buy.com or Amazon.com and their network of merchants can be a great source for inexpensive options.
How do I save money?
The best bargain isn't always the right option - and sometimes this is the hardest type of advice to give. Sometimes, the upgrade you might first consider isn't worth pursuing at any cost - because the return on that investment will be so small that you'll be wishing you had considered other options. Upgrading a hard drive will not necessarily make a machine operate faster. Upgrading memory only works for a while, before the effects become extremely minor. Then there's the idea that every machine in an office needs to be lightning fast - but such is not the case. Often a solid middle-of-the-line computer will work wonderfully for a workstation, and will be upgradeable to make a decent CAD or graphics machine. An office can save itself thousands each year by simply not over-buying hardware, and rotating and re-purposing its used hardware efficiently and effectively. Even a seven year old workstation can be made into a little file server, print server, or kiosk machine - hooked up to a flat panel in the lobby and playing a video loop - or used for your warehouse employees to punch in and out each day on an computerized time clock.
What can Avineo Inc. do for me?
When considering hardware upgrades in your home or office, there's a lot more to look at than what you will find by browsing through a catalog or visiting an office store. Avineo Inc. can operate as simply a buyer agent, finding you a solution that will both fit your budget and expectations, or provide a more comprehensive plan to follow for the future. We will consider the following factors:
What Do You Have? -having an inventory of current hardware assets is the first step!
What Do You Want? - finding out customer expectations is the only way to meet them. We will listen to the grumblings of your staff, and work with the dreams of your development team (or CEO!)
What Is Available? - knowing what is out there on the market, and what simply isn't available, or is a cost-prohibitive investment.
When To Act? - time is always a factor - sometimes to work around projected business fluctuations and seasonal income, sometimes to take advantage of year-end tax write-offs, and sometimes to find deals by exploiting release timelines.
What Will It Cost? - working within a budget is important, and making realistic cost projections is often more important - it's all part of earning customer satisfaction.
What Will Be Done With The Old Stuff? - There are a lot of options, the best case being able to recycle or re-purpose the item internally, the worst case paying to have a truck come by and cart it off.
Taking a logical approach to hardware upgrades may be the best way to save money on technology, and Avineo Inc. is here to help you take steps to streamline and economize your hardware upgrade needs. |
