AITP /
Project Management Institute (PMI) Joint Meeting
A
computer system is just that a system of hardware and software when connected
enables users to efficiently perform their job. For the purpose of this paper
we are focusing on the following areas:
Server Software – Application and
Operating System
Server Hardware – Computer which
will serve as a server for applications and/or files.
Computer infrastructure – Cabling
Printers, Network Equipment and Workstations
Server
Software Considerations:
What
is the purpose of this purchase?
Are
the end-users of the software involved, why or why not?
Have you solicited user input for additional roles or
services that this software may provide?
What operating system will be used?
How will it be configured (i.e. what role(s) services
need to be running for this software to do its job)?
Do you have another server that will be a “model” for
the installation and configuration of this new one?
What additional software or utilities will be loaded
on this same server? Any
incompatibilities?
If additional, related services are needed, is there
another step-up product worth consideration?
Have all appropriate licenses been purchased and
allocated for use by this server?
Server
Hardware Considerations:
After defining the server software refer to the
software documentation and user-groups for recommended hardware. Consider all
software packages and number of users.
Are you using existing hardware or purchasing new?
If you are using existing hardware will an upgrade be
necessary, and how much down time will be required?
How critical is up time once the server is on-line?
What
is needed to ensure this level of up time?
Is
the cost to ensure up time acceptable?
What,
if any, equipment is needed to backup the system?
What data backup procedures will be needed?
Who will be responsible for running the backups?
What
brands of equipment has the organization standardized upon?
What is the current financial health of your organizations
major computer equipment vendors?
Will the new server “play nice” with existing
servers? Are its components fully
compatible?
How
many operating system upgrades (versions) do you anticipate for this server
before replacement?
How do you envision the role that this server plays to
change over the course of its life cycle?
Have you allowed at least 25% of “headroom” for
“growth” in the role of this server?
Has
a test lab/location been prepared for this new server, or is it “live” as soon
as it’s booted?
What
is the testing period allowed before “going live” with the new server?
Who
will determine testing requirements, perform and report the tests?
Is this server dependent on other equipment, e.g.
shared memory, network attached storage?
Have you examined extended warranty and support
options? Are these important to you?
Once
operational, what is your plan for support concerning this server?
What is your plan for training of users?
Who will be responsible for training?
Who will be responsible for the day-to-day operations
of this server?
Once
operational, who decides what “patches” and upgrades will be applied and when?
Who decides which “hot fixes”, “patches” and service
packs should be installed?
Who decides which hot fixes”, “patches” and service
packs be avoided?
How will this computer be physically protected from
unauthorized access?
How will this computer be protected from Internet,
e-mail and other electronic threats?
How will the files on this server be protected?
Best
Practices for server maintenance:
Do
not install anything you don’t need.
Disable any services that you don’t need.
Limit the number of key services hosted on a single
server.
Infrastructure
Equipment:
What
is the purpose of this purchase; does it provide a new service, or replacement
hardware?
If a replacement product, have you double-checked to
make certain that no features are lost?
If this product provides multiple services, what it
your plan to replace these services in the event of a failure?
What
brands of equipment has the organization standardized upon?
What is the expected “life-cycle” of this new
product?
How do you envision the role that this product plays
to change over the course of its life cycle?
Have you allowed at least 25% of “headroom” for
“growth” in the function of this product?
Has
a test lab/location been prepared for the new product?
What
is the testing period allowed before “going live” with the new product?
Who
will determine testing requirements, perform and report the tests?
Will all aspects and functions of the product be
tested, even if some of them are not planned for immediate production use?
Have you examined extended warranty and support
options? Are these important to
you? Examine your previous repair
records for similar equipment in your organization.
Best
Practices for infrastructure equipment:
Standardize
on the same make and model of equipment when possible.
Check
the vendor’s web site frequently for known issues, firmware or other upgrades
and security issues.
Establish a benchmark for performance standards as
soon as possible, after introducing the product into production use. Check this routinely to record
discrepancies.
Financial
Considerations:
How much do you want to spend?
How much are you allowed to spend?
How much do you really NEED to spend to get the
features you want?
Is
there room for compromise?
Have all purchasing options been examined to determine
the best cost and means of purchase?
What
is the expected “life-cycle” of this new server?
If your quote is more than 45 days old, ask for a new
quote – yes, prices can change that often.
If your quote is more than 90 days old, be sure that
you ask for a new quote, also, with this much time lag; spend a time
researching your options again, at least from the selected vendor. A new model, with a different price point
and more features may well be available.
Always ask the question, “Is that your best price”,
from any vendor.
Are any special “user” or “node” licenses required for
any function of this product? Consider
these in to your total cost.
What is the current financial health of your organizations major computer equipment vendors?