The Benefits of Modern IT Infrastructure
Modern IT infrastructure refers to everything that makes up your IT network and can have an crucial impact on your business.
Effective, modern IT infrastructure should be flexible. It should be able to cope with change and growth but without compromising on reliability and security. A company’s IT system truly supports the organisation in everything that they do, but it should also minimise the likelihood of issues such as data breaches or poor internet connectivity with careful configuration and management.
With the current business landscape relying upon technology to drive a vast proportion of interactions, transactions and engagement, modern IT infrastructure has never been more important for businesses. As this landscape continues to change and shift, sometimes subtly and other times at a rapid rate, it’s also critical that IT infrastructure remains flexible, so that it can always support a business efficiently.
What is modern IT infrastructure and why is it essential?
Firstly it’s important to understand what IT infrastructure is and what it can achieve for your company when it is performing at its optimal best.
IT infrastructure refers to all the various parts that make up your IT network and systems. It includes hardware, software and the components required to make it work such as cabling and an internet connection. IT infrastructure can also be used to describe the human resources you have on hand to manage the network such as an IT manager or an IT technician, as well as the processes you have in place for system maintenance.
Businesses today are heavily reliant upon the technology they use every day, making IT infrastructure essential. Without the correct IT infrastructure in place, or with a poorly managed or maintained network, businesses would be inefficient, wasting time and money and in some instances their IT provisions may not work at all!
So what constitutes modern IT infrastructure?
Modern IT infrastructure adapts to recent technological advances and will often be tailored to your company’s unique needs. This infrastructure can be devised and implemented by your own in-house IT team or a specialist IT support company, but crucially it is designed with the future in mind. In an ideal world you want your IT infrastructure to evolve with your business. You do not want to rip it out and install something entirely new every couple of years, as this is labour intensive, extremely disruptive and often costly too. Instead, it’s better to have a strategy in place, alongside the correct technology, to ensure that your IT infrastructure moves with times, as well as the natural developments in your own organisation.
Understanding IT infrastructure in more detail.
You can break IT infrastructure down into two sub-groups; traditional infrastructure (often referred to as onsite infrastructure) and cloud infrastructure.
Traditional infrastructure.
Traditional IT infrastructure is when the IT network exists in your office or building. This will involve servers and networking components at your place of work. Having your IT infrastructure onsite allows you to have greater control over it. However, traditional IT infrastructure usually involves large up-front costs required for purchasing or leasing the hardware. Companies can manage their IT infrastructure themselves, or rely on an IT support company to maintain it on their behalf.
The most common types of traditional infrastructure are:
- Physical servers
- Desktop computers
- Hard phones
- Cables and connections
Cloud infrastructure.
In comparison, cloud infrastructure is when your IT network is not at your place of work. Instead, the network will exist elsewhere in a data centre. Data centres are usually owned and managed by somebody else, such as Microsoft. Cloud infrastructure has revolutionised business technology, and the main advantages are cost efficiency and the opportunities provided for remote working.
The term cloud infrastructure refers to the resources required for cloud computing which can include:
- Cloud storage
- Offsite backups
Cloud infrastructure allows businesses to dispense with hardware located onsite and outsource the responsibility of management and maintenance to an IT support company.
Hyper-converged infrastructure
The lesser-known of the three main types of IT infrastructure, hyper-converged infrastructure allows organisations to manage their network, data storage and computer hardware from a single platform. Essentially this enables any business to bundle together its assets and infrastructure into one easily accessible interface.
What are the benefits of modern IT infrastructure?
Cost-effective & flexible.
Modern IT infrastructure that utilises cloud technology will often be billed on an ongoing monthly basis, based on usage, as opposed to large one-off payments. Not only does this make it easier to implement in the first instance, but it makes cost forecasting easy to do.
Services such as maintenance are often bundled into these type of services, making it a simple one-off payment. This means it is possible for you to tell exactly what your IT infrastructure is going to cost, eliminating unexpected and costly surprises.
Scalability.
The scalability and flexibility of modern IT infrastructure, which includes cloud computing, enables businesses to upgrade their digital systems quickly.
A good example of this is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP, pronounced Vooy-p) telephony system that works entirely on a digital network. Easy scalability means adding or removing employees is more straightforward than if a business was relying on traditional hard phones.
Business continuity.
An essential aspect of productivity and growth, business continuity comes from reliable and stable systems that are continually monitored to avoid future problems. Ensuring you have the best and most up-to-date IT infrastructure possible cements the continuity of your business operations and keeps you ahead of the competition.
Reliability.
Ensuring reliability for your team and your customers is vital. Proactively managing your IT infrastructure improves the reliability of your digital services, improving workflow and productivity. Creating a more reliable system to empower your team allows them to spend more time completing tasks rather than worrying about technical issues.
Understanding the different types of IT infrastructure.
Traditional infrastructure.
Traditional infrastructure concerns mostly physical artefacts and comprises all the necessary elements that support the basic function of machines and devices.
The most common types of traditional infrastructure are:
- Physical servers
- Desktop computers
- Hard phones
- Cables and connections
Traditional infrastructure can be owned or leased by a business, either managing the components themselves or relying on an IT support company that will maintain it on their behalf.
Cloud infrastructure.
Cloud infrastructure has revolutionised business technology, and the main advantages are cost efficiency and the opportunities provided for remote working.
The term cloud infrastructure refers to the resources required for cloud computing which include:
- Cloud storage
- Offsite backups
Cloud infrastructure allows businesses to dispense with hardware located onsite and outsource the responsibility of data management to an IT support company.
Hyper-converged infrastructure.
The lesser-known of the three main types of IT infrastructure, hyper-converged infrastructure allows organisations to manage their network, data storage and computer hardware from a single platform.
Essentially this enables any business to bundle together its assets and infrastructure into one easily accessible interface.
What’s the right IT infrastructure for my business?
This is hard to answer.
Whilst the components of an IT network are often the same from business to business, the setup can be adjusted slightly to meet specific requirements. To get the most out of your IT infrastructure, it is best that to align it with the long term goals of the business. What works for one company, may not work for your own.
Before making a decision to change or improve your IT infrastructure have a think about what it is you would like to achieve company-wide or what problems you would like to solve or overcome. For example, if you would like employees to have the ability to work from home, then a cloud-based solution may be better set up for this. On the flip side, if you’d like your IT manager to have more control over the network, you may wish to host your infrastructure onsite.
Do I need in-house or outsourced modern IT infrastructure?
If we’re completely honest, we’d rather not think of it as either/or!
Implementing effective, modern IT infrastructure means looking at what you’ve already got and exploring where you’d like to be in the future. Systems should support a company as it exists now and give it the tools and room to grow and expand.
This blog post details the differences between in-house and outsourced IT support.
How is IT infrastructure changing?
Like all aspects of modern commerce, IT infrastructure has been affected by the technological strides made in recent years. The most dynamic development is undoubtedly internet connectivity and the transition from traditional infrastructure towards cloud computing.
Other notable services and solutions include:
- Leased lines
- VoIP phone systems
- Offsite backups
- Proactive IT support and management
Internet connectivity and leased lines.
Virtually every business now relies on having a stable and secure internet connection to ensure the continuity of their operations. Even those organisations not online throughout the working day, have some element of digital presence that needs regular monitoring and updating. This expansion of accessibility has manifested one particular growth area of modern IT infrastructure in recent years – the leased line.
Rapid reliable and with heightened security, a leased line removes the hassle of relying on broadband internet connectivity. It does this by delivering an exclusive, stable connection via fibre optics.
You can learn more about leased lines here and whether they might be a suitable IT solution for your company.
VoIP phone systems.
Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as VoIP or VoIP telephony, is an innovative and modern alternative to a traditional hard phone-based infrastructure.
VoIP allows businesses to receive and make calls over the internet and can work purely as a digital system or as a hybrid with hard phones. As a digital system, VoIP can be accessed through a mobile phone or desktop computer, and with the correct internet connection will eventually replace the traditional hard phone altogether.
Find out more about VoIP here and find out how it could benefit your business.
Offsite backups.
Offsite backup is when the data, digital assets and operational systems belonging to an organisation are copied and saved on a remote server away from the centralised workplace or office. This serves as an insurance policy against the loss of vital, sensitive data and information should something happen to the main workspace environment such as a fire.
It also ensures minimal disruption to your operations in the event of any unexpected downtime, as well as the recovery of any important information in the case of digital interference like a denial of service issue or malware. This should be a vital part of any business practices and needs to be an integral part of your modern IT infrastructure.
You can explore a more detailed breakdown of the benefits of offsite backups here and find out how this modern IT infrastructure component could be essential for your business.
Modern IT infrastructure from Acronyms IT Support.
Your IT infrastructure is a crucial part of the successful day-to-day functionality of your organisation. Regardless of the size and type of your company, a system of IT infrastructure will be essential for you to maintain your services, sales and team workflow.
Modern IT infrastructure doesn’t mean throwing everything deemed ‘traditional’ out of the metaphorical window. A skilled IT support company will be able to guide you towards the right solution, which could be a complete overhaul or a balance between traditional and cloud infrastructure. Investing time and energy into perfecting your IT infrastructure now will benefit you regardless of the size of your business and will ensure continuity and support growth. Putting you firmly ahead of the technology curve and the competition.
Since 2003, Acronyms IT Support has been assisting businesses and organisations across the South West with their digital assets and infrastructures. Our experienced team of technicians, consultants and engineers boast a wealth of industry expertise and offer a wide variety of solutions and digital services to businesses and organisations across the South West.
If you have any questions or would like some advice on your IT infrastructure, then please contact the team for a no-obligation consultation.
Alternatively, you might find the following resources useful:
Our IT Infrastructure Services
Cattewater Harbour Commissioner’s Case Study