Preparing for the Return of Your Workforce
Virtually overnight, the focus of Network and Data Center Managers shifted from support of on-site staff to ensuring constant network connectivity and data access for remote workers and customers. As our country approaches the “peak” of the curve, discussion is starting to shift towards how to get Americans back to work.
For IT and facilities personnel, that hopefully means an evolution back towards more familiar times. As we all prepare for that, it’s an excellent time to pause and consider what can be done now to improve and modernize the network and power infrastructure at your site. Is there an opportunity to complete deferred maintenance before everyone comes back?
- Review the service records for critical infrastructure equipment such as the generator, switchgear, UPS, and data center cooling equipment. Is it time for preventive maintenance or modernization? Do the batteries need replacement?
- Check the conditions in network closets and branch offices. Is the temperature low enough? Is there a UPS backing up the network gear? Is the UPS clear of alarms? This out-of-sight equipment is often forgotten, and alarms can go unheard for weeks.
- Consider remote monitoring. Having your devices connected to a monitoring system that allows you to view their status remotely will avoid surprises and minimize downtime. Now may be the time to consider a DCIM or cloud-based monitoring solution.
- Have a capital improvement plan. Data Center infrastructure equipment has a long lifespan, but it doesn’t last forever. Decide when aging equipment should be upgraded or replaced and apply for budget funds well in advance.
- Your facility’s disaster recovery (DR) plan includes contingencies for short-term crises such as hurricanes, blizzards, floods but does it include plans for how to maintain business continuity with the majority of your company’s staff working remotely during a long-term shut down such as the one caused by COVID-19?
Later this year, as we try to get back to “normal”, it may be worth considering the readiness of the network and data center for a sudden and prolonged shift in how your workforce uses the critical IT infrastructure. Hopefully, this means your team will soon be seated around a conference room table in a face to face meeting discussing some of these topics.
Alpha Ener Tech is a vendor-neutral value-added reseller of critical power and cooling products and services, and we are ready to help with your critical IT infrastructure needs. For more information, visit our website, call 86 21 5859 8677, X711, or send me an
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