Week 1 – Discussion 1 – Impact of Long-Term Infrastructure Decisions
Read the Forbes articles HSBCVoice: Do You Need an IT Infrastructure Upgrade? and 9 Questions To Ask Before Signing a Cloud Computing Contract.
Assume you are a network manager, and you are considering a long term contract
for network equipment and/or services. Why is it important to consider
carefully the decisions that will commit the firm for a long period of
time?
Discuss three reasons for carefully considering long-term decisions, and
describe three examples of how a poor decision in these areas might affect the
organization’s ability to be successful. Include specifics where possible. Your
initial response should be a minimum of 300 words in length.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a network manager, making long-term decisions regarding equipment and services is a critical responsibility. It is important to consider the impact of these decisions on the organization’s success in the future. This discussion will explore the importance of carefully considering long-term decisions and examine examples of how poor decisions can affect an organization’s ability to achieve success.
Answer:
It is crucial to consider carefully the decisions that will commit the firm to a long period of time. First, long-term decisions may be costly, and it is essential to ensure that the firm can meet these costs in the future. Second, rapid technological advancements can render equipment or services obsolete within a short period, and long-term decisions may lead to a lack of flexibility in adapting to these changes. Lastly, a poor long-term decision may affect the organization’s ability to adapt to changes in the market and industry standards.
One example of how a poor decision in these areas might affect an organization’s ability to be successful is investing in outdated technology. For instance, if a network manager signs a long-term contract for outdated equipment, they may find it challenging to adapt to the changing technology landscape, which can have significant effects on their operations, such as slower network speeds and reduced productivity. Another example is failing to consider the scalability of the equipment and services. If the equipment and services are unable to scale, the firm may not be able to handle an increase in traffic, leading to a reduction in efficiency and loss of revenue.
Furthermore, a poor decision can lead to increased security risks, and firms may put their data at risk of attacks and breaches. For example, a firm may sign a long-term contract with a cloud service provider without assessing the security measures in place. This can lead to costly data breaches, which can result in loss of customer trust and financial losses.
In conclusion, making long-term decisions as a network manager requires great care and attention. The decision-making process should include carefully analyzing the costs, considerations of future technology changes, and assessment of security risks. Taking the time to consider these factors can put the organization in a position to be successful in the future.
