IT Infrastructure can make or break your business

IT infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for an enterprise IT environment - physical and virtual resources that support the flow, storage, processing and analysis of data.

“Historically, IT has been perceived as a cost centre, a backbone if you will. But now it’s much more complicated than that. IT needs to innovate, predict, learn, evolve and also embrace the importance of developing a deeper business acumen, in essence, running IT operations as a business within the business.”

- Katherine Lord, research director at Gartnerⁱ

While it may be easy to overlook the IT infrastructure of your business, its importance to the successful operations of a business and its office(s) cannot be overstated. Here are some reasons why:

When setting up an IT infrastructure for your business, the first component you will require is Internet infrastructure - fibre optic cables, satellites, antennas, routers, and other network components that control transmission paths.

Along with data centres and cloud providers, Internet service providers (ISPs) help to keep you connected to the world by maintaining network stability and security.

Choosing a broadband package is based on more than the speed and bandwidth of the connection. Connecting to the Internet exposes your data to a host of vulnerabilities, so make sure that your broadband connection is properly secured to protect your data.

Looking for a hassle-free setup? StarHub’s Business Dynamic Fibre Broadband is bundled with a enterprise-grade firewall which blocks cyber-attacks at the network level, providing your first line of defence.

With a secured connection, it helps to prevent network outages so you can keep your business data flowing at all times and minimise the unwanted costs associated with downtime and remedy of cyber breaches.

For your computing, storage, and network capabilities, consider turning to the cloud. It can free you from having to deploy your resources locally at huge capital expenditures and overheads.

Cloud services are easily scalable, allowing you to adjust data capacity in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Virtually hosting your data, software and applications also means that you can access them anytime and anywhere so long as you’re connected to the Internet.

Interested in knowing more about the different types of cloud infrastructure?

The public cloud is shared by many users and is generally offered with a more generic suite of services. Business facing dynamic growth and fluctuating computing demands can experience shorter lead time and better scalability.

A private cloud offers you greater control and security but is also blocked off from your customers and other external stakeholders. Although it is designed to support all applications, you have to cater for the management and maintenance of the servers.

Hybrid clouds provide both the cost-efficiency of the public cloud and the control and security of a private cloud.

Choose a cloud provider that gives you the best balance between the unique needs of your business to maximise its potential.

If you require an on-premise or private cloud, chances are you need to look for data centres to host your servers.

The choice of data centre will play a huge part in the running of your business operations. If your server racks are excessively powered and cooled, it will drive up the cost of utilities to maintain your infrastructure.

Similarly, if they are not cooled enough or backed with an alternative power source, you may face overheating and power outages, resulting in damaging losses to your business data and operations.

Research from the Ponemon Institute also shows that the total cost of downtime has continued to rise over the past six years. The average cost of unplanned data centre downtime has risen 38% from US$505,502 in 2010 to US$740,357 per incident in 2016, which is nearly US$9,000 per minute (ranging from $926 to $17,244 per minute).^iv

Software-defined data centres ensure the consistent and smooth sustenance of your business with minimal downtime by having real-time visibility into all critical systems.

Ensure that you monitor and manage your data centre infrastructure closely to prevent excessive costs to your business.

IT Infrastructure should undoubtedly be viewed as a fundamental aspect of your business. A poorly planned IT infrastructure can cause massive long-term damage - from regulatory compliance issues to loss of customer trust and direct revenue losses. Can your business afford it?

Not sure where to start? Seek a consultation with StarHub today.

Follow StarHub Business on LinkedIn for the latest business updates.

ⁱ https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/optimize-it-operations-to-drive-business-value/

ⁱⁱ  http://pages.bitglass.com/Report-CloudIsTheFuture.html

ⁱⁱⁱ http://www.themox.co/coworking/

^iv https://planetaklimata.com.ua/instr/Liebert_Hiross/Cost_of_Data_Center_Outages_2016_Eng.pdf