Whether it's help with Operational IT (such as password resets, software/hardware support, or remote desktop support) or Strategic IT (such as putting together a proactive security strategy to help mitigate threats, licensing support, or guidance to help reduce costs), Managed Services is a highly customized process, tailored to your specific needs. Get an Estimate >>
There are major pitfalls of not considering the hardware lifecycle when purchasing new hardware for your organization. When you put that time and money into purchasing that new server or new workstation, have you taken into consideration the lifecycle of that product, and what you’re going to do when the lifecycle is up? Do you know what the repercussions are if that server or workstation reaches the end of its lifecycle and you haven’t considered what you’re going to do about it?
At ProServeIT, our Managed IT Services experts frequently address these questions with our customers, and, with our depth of knowledge in this subject, we wanted to share some of our thoughts with you. In this blog, we’ll talk about what the hardware lifecycle is, what factors you should consider regarding your hardware lifecycle before purchasing, and how partnering with hardware maintenance companies can help you manage the lifecycle effectively.
In this blog, you will find:
🖥️ What Is Hardware Lifecycle?
🤔 Factors to Consider for Hardware Lifecycle
⚠️ Hardware Lifecycle Risks to Consider
🚉 What About the Hardware Lifecycle for Workstations?
📌 What Hardware Lifecycle Questions Should You Be Asking?
🙌 Is Managed IT Services Right for Your Organization?
What Is Hardware Lifecycle?
Basically, the hardware lifecycle helps you understand how long you will get from a piece of hardware before it becomes too costly or risky for you to maintain.
Let’s take a look at the hardware lifecycle of a typical server. Once purchased and installed, a typical server has a 5-year lifecycle of working at optimal performance and is covered under warranty if something should go wrong.
After this 5-year period is up, a host of things could potentially happen: vital components start to break, the warranty expires, and the operating systems it is running could stop being supported (like, for example, the end of support for SQL Server 2008 that was just announced). You want to manage that server’s lifecycle and have a plan in place that will either transition you to a new server or give you extended warranty on the current one, so that you don’t run into problems that are going to end up costing you more money than the equipment is worth.
Related:
Do You Still Think of Managed IT Services as Outsourcing?
5 Key Reasons Why IT Professionals Should Outsource Managed IT Services
Benefits of Hardware Lifecycle Management
Effective hardware lifecycle management offers numerous benefits to organizations. By implementing a comprehensive lifecycle management strategy, businesses can significantly reduce hardware and maintenance costs, minimize downtime, and improve overall IT infrastructure efficiency. One of the key advantages is the ability to stay ahead of security risks, ensuring that sensitive data is protected throughout the hardware lifecycle. This proactive approach helps identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Moreover, by extending the lifespan of hardware assets through proper maintenance and strategic system upgrades, businesses can reduce electronic waste and minimize their environmental footprint. This supports sustainability goals and aligns with corporate social responsibility initiatives. A well-managed hardware lifecycle translates to cost savings, enhanced security, and a positive environmental impact.
Factors to Consider for Hardware Lifecycle
At ProServeIT, we recommend a 5-year plan for servers and a 3 to 6-year plan for workstations, depending on the brand and usage. Operating systems often follow a 5-year plan, with some offering an "extended support" option for an additional 3 to 5 years.
When purchasing equipment, are you discussing the hardware lifecycle with your provider? Are you planning for the lifecycle of the product you're buying? What will you do with that equipment in five years?
Stocking enterprise hardware ensures smooth transitions and reduces downtime, which is crucial for maintaining productivity and managing costs effectively.
⚠️ Consider this: based on our 15+ years of experience, there's an almost guaranteed 75% failure rate on at least one drive of your server in the 5th, 6th, or 7th year of operation. We build our servers with hard drive redundancy, but what happens when two or more drives fail? This puts your organization at risk of losing important data!
💡 Recommended: always protect your servers with multiple drives to back up all stored data. However, without a proper hardware lifecycle plan, you still risk significant issues. Hopefully, you've built enough backup plans and contingencies, but why take the chance? Why not plan for transitioning older servers or other hardware before it becomes a problem?
Haven’t had a chance to back up your work or considered the importance of site recovery? Check out this short video on Azure Site Recovery and learn how to implement it in your organization. Click the button below the video to sign up for the full webinar on-demand
Procurement and Deployment
Procurement and deployment are critical stages in the hardware lifecycle that require careful planning and execution. During procurement, organizations must select hardware and software assets that align with their business needs while considering factors such as total cost of ownership, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems. This involves evaluating different vendors, comparing specifications, and ensuring that the chosen assets can support future growth and technological advancements.
Deployment, on the other hand, involves the installation and configuration of these assets. It’s essential to ensure that new hardware and software are properly integrated with the existing IT infrastructure to avoid disruptions. A well-planned deployment strategy can help organizations avoid costly mistakes, reduce downtime, and ensure a smooth transition to new hardware and software assets. This includes thorough testing, user training, and having a rollback plan in case of unforeseen issues.
Maintenance and Support
Regular maintenance and support are essential for extending the lifespan of hardware assets and preventing unexpected downtime. Organizations should implement a proactive maintenance strategy, including regular inspections, firmware updates, and troubleshooting. This helps identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems, thereby ensuring business continuity.
Partnering with IT hardware specialists can provide expert maintenance and support services, helping to minimize maintenance costs and improve overall IT efficiency. These specialists can offer valuable insights and recommendations for optimizing hardware performance and extending its useful life. By investing in maintenance and support, organizations can reduce the risk of hardware failures, enhance system reliability, and ensure that their hardware assets continue to meet their evolving business needs.
Hardware Lifecycle Risks to Consider
Extending your hardware lifecycle can introduce several prominent risks. Beyond the costs associated with hardware failure, consider these three critical factors:
⌛ Downtime: If your hardware fails, how long will it take to get a replacement? How much time will your organization be without this vital hardware? While downtime might not be as significant for a specific workstation, it is a major risk factor when extending the lifecycle of your servers. This should be carefully considered as part of your hardware lifecycle plan.
❌ Loss of Data: What happens to your company data if one or more of your servers fails? Do you have adequate backups to ensure you don't lose that data permanently? As mentioned earlier, there is a significant risk of losing corporate data if you extend your hardware beyond its recommended lifecycle. This is another crucial risk to address before the hardware lifecycle ends.
🔓 Lack of Support Could Lead to Security Risks: Security must be paramount in any consideration. Be aware of any end-of-support dates for the operating systems you are running to ensure your security protocols do not leave you vulnerable to zero-day attack.
What About the Hardware Lifecycle for Workstations?
Similarly, it's important to consider what kind of equipment you're purchasing for your employees. Again, depending on what you're buying for your organization, you are typically looking at a 3 to 6-year lifecycle for workstations (laptops, desktop computers, operating systems, etc.). But, what happens after those 3-6 years is up?
Unlike servers, workstations typically have a bit of a buffer in their lifecycle. It's usually a matter of whether or not the equipment is still working, and, in some cases, so long as you're running adequate security protocols, you may get longer than 6 years from current workstations you're operating. However, keep an ear open for complaints like:
⛔ My workstation is too slow!
⛔ It takes too long to boot up my laptop
⛔ My computer says it's running out of RAM!
⛔ It takes me five minutes to open a Word document! or can't open a document coming from a newer version!
If you’re hearing your employees saying anything along these lines, it’s a very good indication that workstation has reached the end of its lifecycle and should be replaced.
What Hardware Lifecycle Questions Should You Be Asking?
At ProServeIT, we suggest that you start planning for the end of the hardware lifecycle around year 3 of the 5-year timeline. Our Managed Services team is capable of building this conversation into our relationship with you, and discuss your options before the need becomes critical. Some of the things we can cover with you include:
✅ What kind of solution would work best for your organization?
✅ Is it time to consider a hybrid approach?
✅ Have you considered moving towards the Cloud? If not, why not?
✅ How can we create a phased approach for you to replace legacy hardware?
Talk to our experts now about your current hardware lifecycle, and we'll help you with your decisions and planning at the end of Year 5.
Is Managed IT Services Right for Your Organization?
As technology becomes a more integral part of conducting business, the level of sophistication behind day-to-day support must elevate to keep your employees working smoothly. Through Managed IT Services, you can ensure you have the right technology, infrastructure, and the level of support for your business at the budget that works for you.
Whether it's help with Operational IT (such as password resets, software/hardware support, or remote desktop support) or Strategic IT (such as putting together a proactive security strategy to help mitigate threats, licensing support, or guidance to help reduce costs), Managed Services is a highly customized process, tailored to your specific needs. Get an Estimate >>
Conclusion
Effectively managing the hardware lifecycle is critical to maintaining reliable, cost-efficient IT infrastructure. Proactive planning helps avoid downtime, data loss, and security risks while ensuring your systems stay aligned with your organization's needs. From procurement to maintenance and eventual replacement, each stage of the lifecycle supports productivity and sustainability.
At ProServeIT, our Managed Services team can guide you through creating a tailored lifecycle management plan. Whether replacing aging hardware, exploring hybrid or cloud solutions, or optimizing maintenance, we’re here to help your organization stay ahead. Connect with us today to ensure your IT infrastructure is ready for the future.
Comments