Standard solutions

In addition to scalable software it's important your computer systems themselves are scalable too. When planning a scalable solution, Paul McKeon, corporate communications manager for Dell Australia and New Zealand advises: "At its simplest, the ideal of a scalable enterprise where IT grows (and shrinks) with the business sounds like commonsense. It is, but the devil is in the detail." He suggests you avoid getting locked into paying right now for what you might need in two years time and just add options as you need them.

A key to being able to do this is to use standard technologies. "One of the reasons your bang for buck has increased in PCs is the number of companies, including Dell, that compete to offer you what has become a standard: the PC we all know," McKeon says, cautioning businesses to avoid proprietary technologies offered by only one or two vendors-think back to Beta tape and VHS-and go with tried and true majority players instead.

While scalability isn't the only factor to consider when purchasing IT solutions, it is an important one. IT investment isn't cheap and if you are to realise the best value for your dollar, the solution needs to be a snug fit with your organisation's current needs and grow with you.

About the author

Helen Bradley is a frequent contributor to DSB and other international computer publications.

DSB, Dynamic Small Business magazine is designed to provide entrepreneurs in the small to medium business market with all the information they need to improve their bottom line.
www.dsbmag.com.au

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