Keating Consulting Service, Inc.

When it comes to providing the necessary server, desktops, laptops, software and network equipment for an IT system, KCS typically provides clients with the necessary purchase recommendations and helps customers by building quotes for direct purchases of systems, allowing customers to save money as no overhead is charged

KCS recommends DELL and HP equipment for business deskops, laptops and servers, HP for laser printers and Epson DFX or OKIdata for dot matrix impact printers.

It is important to document systems and current users assigned, applications installed, key components of your infrastructure to help minimize problems down the road.

For new laptops 3 or 4 GB ram is recommended. While 32 bit clients are common, 64 bit will become more common with windows 7 out now. All new systems should be dual core unless you are opting for netbook systems which focus on internet browsing and email clients only.

Server operating systems, including SBS 2008, have already transitioned to the 64 bit model. Recommended 8 GB of ram, and at least two separate RAID sets (one for OS and one for Data), also separating exchange database and log files.

While is seems we are poised for a new round of hardware upgrades, this cycle may take longer as some businesses hold back on their desktop refreshes. However, when the market moves in mass next year, we expect a lot of Windows 7 replacement of XP boxes and Vista upgrades.

Current generation hardware looks set to handle business users for some time as applications move towards cloud and professional hosting, providing inexpensive and reliable high bandwidth internet links become more common.