Questions to Ask Before a Data Center Relocation

10 October 2020

Since many businesses are adopting developments in technology, we’ve seen a spike in the number of companies and organizations that need IT relocation services. Embracing technological innovations and streamlining IT infrastructure go hand-in-hand because you cannot facilitate a proper IT upgrade without the appropriate hardware.

Even if you’re not incorporating major technological changes at the moment; your IT environment’s operational lifespan is one that keeps evolving. You’re bound to need a data center migration at some point.

How do you get your data from point A to point B without losing, or interfering with anything? This is the question that it all boils down to.

You need an IT organization that has the technical know-how to not only secure your data but also help you increase operational efficiency. Embracing new technologies is supposed to make your business more competitive and highly available.

What are the Challenges you’re Likely to Face?

Since this is a huge undertaking, you should be aware of all the challenges you will encounter. These hurdles will pose a difficulty if you don’t carefully plan for this transition.

Moving Workloads

Different workloads require different deployment procedures. Some workloads will be best handled with a hybrid IT approach, some work best in the cloud, while others should only be on-premise moves.

Migrating Applications

You need to have a clear understanding of the applications you’re moving to. This will help you know which applications depend on others and how to ensure this is not interfered with. You need a catalog of all applications and the risks involved in relocating them.

Migrating Data and Machines

Don’t forget to monitor, support, and manage all your data during the relocation. You will need reliable IT Relocation Services to ensure everything is in order before, during, and after the move.

What are the Best Practices for Data Center Relocation?

The next question to ask yourself is the best practices you should use for successful data center relocation. This is an overwhelming project, so it’s best to use a tried and tested procedure.

Regardless of the reason behind your data move, the right strategy and proper implementation will ensure you reduce your downtime as much as possible. IT teams come in handy because they know what they’re dealing with and how each application should be handled.

For a smooth migration, each step should be geared towards avoiding possible hurdles and proceeding with caution.

Here is a four-point checklist to help you ensure nothing goes a miss;

Identify migration scope

What will you be moving to? This is a crucial starting point because it identifies what is in your current IT environment. Before you begin the move, ensure you have an updated checklist of everything that needs to be moved. This will give you an easy time tracking items throughout the relocation process.

Assess platform stability

How old is your equipment? Is it likely to malfunction in transport? The health and stability of your platform determine the best way to transport the equipment.

Define criticality of data

Make sure you’re aware of all the data assets in your possession. The last thing you want to happen is to misplace pieces of data during the move.

Know your network

An in-depth understanding of your network will save you from confusion on the D-day. Even if you want to seek IT relocation services, you must first map out your network.

How can you speed up the entire process?

Understand that there will be downtime to be caused by migration

Before you start the relocation process, understand that your business will suffer significant downtime. Have an accurate estimation of downtime and find ways to minimize it as much as possible. The method you choose for the migration should allow you to set up the new data center in the shortest time possible, without interfering with anything.

Establish how best to Accomplish your Move

Once you know how much downtime to expect, the next step is to formulate a relocation methodology. Will you adopt a forklift process where one item will be moved at a time, or do you prefer swing migration that requires utmost uptime?

The volumes of data you have and the platforms they’re on will be huge determining factors here.

Consider a partner

Lastly, consider hiring an IT relocation partner to help you with the move. If your company doesn’t have an adequate internal resource for the relocation, this is the best option. Executing a successful data center relocation needs professional expertise you can get when you hire IT relocation services.

Choosing a third-party relocation partner takes the pressure off you and your team. The process will be much easier when you’re getting help from experts.

Conclusion

As an enterprise that needs IT asset relocation, you need to hire specialists with the right strategy to mitigate all risks involved. The consolidation of data centers is a sensitive undertaking that can easily go wrong. A professional will know how to prevent any disruptions before they even happen. Before you start the migration, ensure you understand your network and every application therein to avoid confusion during the relocation.

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How To Choose A Practice Management Software For Your Law Firm

Today, every business vertical is going tech-savvy and legal practice is no exception. Law firms of all sizes are adopting practice management software and apps to enable tech advancements in their operations. The benefits of the software are immense as they can bring more efficiency in the firm’s operations as well as enable them to serve the clients in a better way. However, the choice of the right kind of software determines its efficacy to a great extent. With hundreds of tech firms presenting a huge range of solutions, the choice becomes tough. However, there are some points that you can consider to choose the best option for your firm. If you are running a legal practice you must read this checklist to understand how to choose the best practice management software for your firm. 1. Start by reviewing your needs rather than the software features : A majority of firms start by going through the software features while they look around for one for themselves. This is the biggest mistake that they can make because the actual focus should be on the firm’s requirements rather than what the solution has to offer. Start by analyzing your long-term goals and see if the software features match them. For instance, the needs of a solo firm are different from the ones that are based on partnerships. Similarly, you may have the objective to add remote staff to your firm in the years to come. In this case, you will need a solution that is scalable and can align with the changes that will take place in the future. If your needs are unique, you may even opt for a tailored software rather than one of the products available in the market. 2. Pay attention to security features : Typically, the legal practice involves the handling of confidential data and information of the client. This makes security a vital concern for them. This makes it critical to check whether the software is capable of maintaining data security for the user. You should ensure that it has features such as permission settings, user authentication, restricted access and adherence to data security practices. 3. Look for integration capabilities : Another factor that determines the choice of law practice management software is its capability to integrate with other systems and applications. Legal practice is a complex function that needs to sync with other functions such as accounting and client record management. Firms require comprehensive technology solutions that handle the needs for billing, account ting, and record-keeping as well. For this reason, you should first check with the software provider whether the product will automatically sync with software for these purposes. 4. Check some additional points : Every software application is unique in terms of a combination of features that it offers. While scalability, security, and integration are must-have features for your legal firm’s management software, there are some additional points that you must include in your checklist. Do not hesitate to ask questions from the provider so that you can finalize the right option that matches all your needs. A design interface that is easy to understand and use for even non-technical users should be the first point on your checklist. Look for mobile access as you will require it to run your practice from anywhere. Also, ask about the vendor support as it ensures that any issues will be resolved by the provider. Data migration, ease of transitioning and ongoing maintenance should be some other questions on your checklist. Finally, check the pricing structure and see if it fits into your firm’s budget. The objective should be to get value-for-money software that improves your operations and boosts operational efficiency. It is better to shortlist a few options and then make a comparison to finalize the one that is right. 5. Take a test ride : Once you finalize the practice management software that you want for your firm, ask the vendor to give you a test ride. Vendors usually offer a free demo for the buyers to enable them to fully assess the software’s suitability before they make the final purchase. Since this is going to be a long-term investment for your firm, do not hesitate to try it out thoroughly first. Avail the trial period to evaluate the interface and workflow of the software. Ensure that it is easy to use for you and your staff and also that it matches your firm’s workflow and objectives. It is important to choose a trusted and reliable vendor for buying the legal practice management software product for your firm. Check the reputation of the provider by checking online reviews and testimonials from real customers to ensure that you get the best and worthy solution for your firm. Read Also : How Do Law Firms Help Companies With Their Real Estate Issues? Picking The Right Law Firm For You And Your Family How To Choose A Personal Injury Lawyer

Incredible Ways To Minimize Network Downtime For Business

It is safe to say that the Internet is the backbone of every business. It allows companies to access all the important tools that can streamline the entire workflow. Thus, all successful organizations need access to a steady internet connection so they can complete all the work efficiently without any delay. This is one of the reasons that being disconnected from it for a few minutes can pose major internet issues. The mere reason is that the major financial costs associated with network outages are massive. One major issue of downtime is data loss. The companies cannot afford to lose their time or clients because of poor internet connection, issues in the system, internet outages, and so on. Thus, do not take network downtime lightly, as it can turn into a serious issue that can cripple your organization’s entire workflow. One way to reduce network downtime is to have a blazing-fast internet connection, so all the employees can complete the work without any delay. So, whether you are a remote worker or a hybrid employee then we suggest you choose WOW! Internet. It offers a quality fiber-optic connection, which is exceptionally fast and does not slow down even if a plethora of devices are connected to it. It works during harsh weather conditions because the technology is buried underground. The provider even offers unlimited data with some of its plans. You can reach out to its customer support team for more information regarding its internet plans and prices. Give this blog a good read to know how you can minimize network downtime to prevent network downtime for your business. Run External and Internal Analysis If you feel that your workflow is experiencing frequent downtimes, then you should first analyze the root cause of the issue. For example, you should know whether the internet downtime is because of frequent internet outages, system failure, power failure, or so on. But please know that even if the organization is not currently facing any network downtime, you should still have a backup plan ready by making a list of all the possible causes that might affect the performance of your work. Yes, you read that right whether you have a small business or work for an organization. If it is possible for you then we suggest you can research it or ask a technician to guide you so you can purchase a good software to tackle this issue. Invest in Power Backup Solution Power outages are one of the common causes of network downtime, as they can disrupt the operation of network devices, such as routers, switches, servers, and computers. In addition, a power backup solution, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can provide backup power to your devices and Wi-Fi network devices in case of a power failure, and allow them to continue functioning until the power is restored. Moreover, a power backup solution can also protect the network devices from power fluctuations, which can damage or degrade their performance. Thus, if you have the budget then investing in a good power supply is indeed a viable solution. Use Quality Backup Servers If you are a remote employee then you must ask your organization for backup servers, where you can store the data safely. This tip can save the business from extensive data loss which can affect the business operations in the future. Thus, you can use good applications or software and perform regular backups to avoid losing sensitive data in times of downtime. The mere reason is that it takes a lot of time and effort for companies to gather precious data and it can lose all of it in a few seconds in times of network downtime. If you feel some backup servers are expensive then we suggest you use Google Drive as it is free and allows employees to easily save their files and folders. Get a Speedy Internet Connection Most of the time people choose the wrong speed tier or traditional internet connections to save money and then their work suffers at large. Yes, there are several types of internet connection but we suggest you choose fiber-optic internet connection as it is considered to be one of the fastest types of internet connection which works during all weather conditions. If it is possible for you we suggest you choose a redundant network connection. This means you have to deal with two or three different ISPs for the internet services. So, if one connection is not working, then you can simply switch to another. But for this, you need to ensure that you have a good budget. Use Advanced Equipment Please do not use cheaper equipment just to save a few bucks. Please know that your cable modem, router, computers, and all other devices should not be of mediocre quality or outdated. You should keep in mind that purchasing some low-quality items can help you save money initially, but in the longer run it can affect your business at large. In the End When it comes to business operations please know that temporary delays can hurt its productivity which can cost several millions of dollars. Fortunately, there are certain ways to prevent the common causes of internet downtime. We have listed some of the tips above but you should be careful and have a backup plan ready so you can avoid delays and network downtime in your business operations. Read Also: Linksys Vs Netgear: Quality Vs Features How To Find The Fastest Available Internet In Your Area? Pinterest Hack: Download Videos Effortlessly With Mod APK

A Well-Oiled Trade Show Machine: The Ones Running the Show

Trade shows are important to any business. It is the most cost-efficient way to market and it is the best way to reach people, and in order to make it successful, it is vital that all the cogs to the wheel work in perfect harmony. Integral to the success of the company during a trade show is the show booth. However, a lot has already been said about the stands. What is normally overlooked is the people who man them, and the staff that makes the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas work. Without these individuals, your booth, no matter how beautiful it looks, it will be a disaster. On the other hand, staffers should not just be assigned nonchalantly. Serious thought should be put into picking them. Then, there is the question: How should you pick the ones to man the stations? MIND YOUR LANGUAGE: Not the words spoken any staff member helping run a business can manage to strike a conversation. Also, most of the time, we are mindful of the words we use in front of clients. What you should look out and be mindful of is your non-verbal communication because this has a huge impact in the performance of your company. Certain tips that you should remind your staff members: Always pay attention to visitors, even those who are not stopping by Have a pleasant mood every time you are in front Talk to clients and not with your colleagues, unless needed Listen to your customers Greet them politely, with enthusiasm, and graciously express gratitude regardless if a deal was struck or not Avoid showing signs of being lazy i.e. leaning over the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas Smile These are things that should be instilled in staffers already, but these simple things tend to be overlooked when in a pressure-packed area. So, they may just be reminded every now and then, or, pick those who are already innately doing these to avoid making any accidents. KNOW YOUR ROLES: It would not hurt if everyone has their specific roles to cover. At least this way, someone is always there to cover certain topics at any time. Although, all staff members should at least know the most basic answers to any query, but they should also know who the client can talk to if it goes beyond their field. That is why, the stand should always be manned by someone who is an expert about the entire operation. Being a master with one role is better than knowing everything but knowing all the answer to one. NOT A TIME TO DINE: This is not saying that staff members are not allowed to eat or drink. However, showing attendees food and drinks left around the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas just appear unprofessional. Eat at your own time, and if it cannot be avoided, do not leave any trace that visitors can see. Showing a professional and serious brand is huge in a trade show, and food visible to the public just makes you a slob. Staffers are just as important as the booth itself. Every piece of the wheel should turn perfectly to make a well-oiled machine, and ensuring a good staff is adamant to have a successful day. Read Also: Execute The Perfect Expo With This Trade Show Checklist 5 Signs That Your Business Might Need Custom Software Featured Image: xibitsolutions.com

Questions to Ask Before a Data Center Relocation