Storage Area Networks are fast becoming the state of the art in connecting small offices.
By Rick Telberg
Special for HP
May 2005
With business generating more data every day to be stored, sifted and safeguarded, accountants are taking on the role of information stewards — guiding clients and companies through the vast array of servers, the core element in computer-based data storage, and in the networking systems that derive the greatest use of the servers.
The stage is set for companies that have gotten by on only PCs to suddenly see the need for networks and top-notch servers. And for those companies, which already have with one or two servers, they may need horsepower and speedier, safer networking systems to put them to optimum use. Organizing, integrating and accessing business knowledge –the elements of client-server architecture — are the keys to success in the Information Age.
Clearly, small and midsize businesses are clamoring for help. Well in excess of a third of the nation’s 8.1 million SMBs will increase their spending on information technology from now through early 2006. And server-reliant systems, such as customer relationship management, electronic commerce and security, are priorities for over half, according to technology industry analysts IDC. Increasing storage capacity, by itself, is a priority for more than 1.25 million businesses.
Industries with the greatest IT services demand are an accountant’s smorgasbord: financial services, professional services, manufacturing, education and healthcare. There’s indeed plenty of opportunity for accountants.
New opportunity lies in advising companies on what storage systems are best for their operations, whether they need servers, and which servers and networking system will best boost bottom lines. At many SMBs, business managers and even the designated “technology experts” know far less about storage than they do about most other IT areas. Many even fail to grasp the basic differences between servers and PCs.
In local area networks, server systems essentially hold, manage and send data and provide access to key resources, such as printers and disk drives. They deliver more processing power than is available in non client-server arrangements and allow those PC clients to use the power more efficiently. They are typically only cost effective in deployments where at least five people share resources.
For SMBs they typically are key components in: file sharing and printing, e-mail, firewalls, Web sites including Intranets, databases, departmental management, electronic commerce, customer relationship management and ERP.
But beware, there are at least 15 different basic types of servers and the nomenclature can be confusing. For example, application servers providing access to databases are often referred to as middleware. There are numerous server vendors, although only a few market leaders, which makes product selection even more confusing.
For smaller businesses, the challenges includes finding a single server system that delivers all the client-server functions required — but not more — and remains relatively simple to install and implement. At larger enterprises requiring multiple severs, the challenges include determining the right network architecture, which automates systems administration, provides additional security against data loss and reduces total cost of ownership.
Networking architecture’s state-of-the-art technology today is called the Storage Area Network, or SAN, that reconfigure all of a company’s servers to optimize use of disc storage space, and provide centralized administration of all servers, allowing growing organizations to scale IT to match growth. SANs are most popular at companies with at least 12 individual servers.
Nevertheless, small, fast-growing SMBs should keep an eye on SANs, for they may need one sooner than they think. And when they do, they will call on you.
Copyright 2005 Rick Telberg/Bay Street Group LLC. All Rights Reserved.