Understand implications of IT procurement using cabinets as an example

Felicia stressed the importance of informed decision-making in technology services and products, and the need for involving skilled professionals in decision-making processes. She also discussed the longevity of structural furniture, the challenges in network switch installation, and the need for a formal procurement process in the IT department. Furthermore, she highlighted the issues with current wall-mount cabinets and open racks, the business impact of operations beyond regular hours, the need for proper equipment maintenance, and the importance of having an on-site technical point of contact at every facility.

Action items

• Felicia recommends ensuring the IT department follows a defined procurement process with oversight from a technology executive.

• Felicia recommends establishing written requirements and standards for IT infrastructure like racks and cabinets.

• Felicia recommends implementing a policy for designating on-site technical contacts to handle basic equipment issues.

 

Summary

Informed Decision Making in IT Services

Felicia emphasized the importance of informed decision making in technology services and products, which is beneficial for all IT stakeholders. She pointed out the persistent negative financial impact caused by ill-informed decisions, often made by business leaders delegating to inexperienced internal IT departments. Felicia advocated for the involvement of skilled professionals, such as CTOs or senior architects, in decision-making processes to mitigate these adverse effects. She also cautioned against the common practice of selecting the cheapest bid as a decision-making criterion, highlighting it as a recipe for failure.

   

Structural Furniture Longevity and Design

Felicia discussed the longevity and durability of structural furniture, particularly cabinets and racks. She emphasized that these pieces, often made of steel, aluminum, glass, and possibly plastic, can last for decades if not physically damaged. Felicia argued that considering a 20-year life cycle for such hardware is a more realistic approach than starting from an acquisition cost requirement. She also highlighted the advantages of a four-post full floor standing cabinet over a two-post rack, especially for secure and critical infrastructure. Finally, she noted the importance of wheels in cabinets from a maintenance perspective and referred to cabinet design as an art form.

   

Felicia's Network Switch Installation and Maintenance Insights

Felicia shared her extensive experience and insights on the challenges and considerations in network switch installation and maintenance. She emphasized the preference for a 4-post configuration due to the weight and depth of modern switches, and the issues that may arise with alternative setups. Felicia also highlighted the importance of understanding the ramifications of equipment placement, sharing a troubling example of a poorly executed setup. She suggested ways to prevent such issues from occurring in the future.

   

Improper Procurement Process in IT

Felicia discussed the lack of a formal procurement process in the IT department, which leads to inefficient and often unnecessary purchases. She explained that the department, composed of individuals not highly proficient in business value justification or total cost of ownership articulation, often sourced items themselves using credit cards, without proper checks and balances. Felicia emphasized the need for a written requirements list to facilitate better decision-making and prevent the focus on apparent acquisition cost. She indicated that she would provide two examples to illustrate these points.

   

Addressing Inadequate Infrastructure and Procurement

Felicia discussed the recurring issues with the current wall-mount cabinets and open racks in the infrastructure, which were not deep enough to accommodate modern switches. She emphasized that this problem wasn't new and had been ongoing for at least a decade. Felicia pointed out that previous investments in these inadequate setups were essentially wasted, not just in terms of money but also project time and potential business unit outages. She underscored the need for an appropriate procurement process and oversight to avoid such issues in the future.

   

Managing Operations Outside Regular Hours

Felicia discussed the business impact of operations extending beyond regular business hours. She highlighted that this not only affects payroll and product but also has implications for business continuity outside of IT. Felicia emphasized that IT personnel, such as PC technicians and IT managers, often only consider their own needs, which differs from the perspective of a technology executive. She stressed the importance of a different mindset, drawing from her experience as a chief operating officer and service manager,