Grids, open source, business intelligence, CRM, virtualisation and server consolidation are just some of the technologies and strategies competing for a chunk of UK IT budgets. But which ones can really make a difference to a company's performance and which are just expensive distractions?
To answer that question, ZDNet UK together with analyst firm Butler Group created the UK IT Priorities Survey. Released this week, the report reveals that security continues to be the most pressing issue for IT professionals. Vendors and the media devote a lot of attention to the religious wars around open source or the potential of 3G networks — but protecting existing infrastructure is what really matters to the bulk of IT departments, it seems.
Although security, such as antivirus and anti-spam technology, is the top priority for the next 12 months, the report reveals that companies are failing to approach it in the right way. Sadly, instead of focusing on strategic, integrated security systems — such as those provided by hosted services — IT departments are often distracted by the necessity to deal with the latest virus or worm. That needs to change or companies will continue to repeat the same mistakes.
Security is clearly the number one priority but other issues and technologies are also seen as being extremely important. Application development, mail management, IT management and networking were ranked second to fifth highest respectively.
But the IT Priorities programme, begun in 2003, is about more than just identifying the most important issues. To help inform decisions around implementing technologies, ZDNet UK has created information aggregation pages called Toolkits. These pages pull together the latest information from across our network, and the Internet, to provide a comprehensive resource on the technologies that matter most to readers.
Keeping pace with an industry on perpetual fast-forward will always be challenging but we hope this research may go some way to stacking the odds in your favour.
To download the full UK IT Priorities Report click here.
Talkback
Server consolidation has long been identified as an effective way of reducing IT costs. In an eagerness to save money, some companies have jumped on the server consolidation bandwagon without due consideration and thought – and many are paying the price. Without a coherent consolidation strategy, determining ROI and trying to ascertain cost savings on the project can be nigh on impossible. And without knowing what the ROI and TCO of implementing a server consolidation strategy is, justifying the consolidation process can be a tough task.
For effective server consolidation, it is important to consider using a third party to create a planning and validation strategy. Intel Solution Services Server Consolidation Practice works with clients to assess business goals and infrastructure and then architect, build and optimise a specific solution for maximum performance and scalability. This approach reveals unforeseen costs, allows for optimisation of the solution, creates a roadmap for the future and can help demonstrate an estimated ROI.
Intel Solution Services can offer:
A Guide on how to Realise ROI with Server Consolidation – This guide will outline all the main areas that should be taken into account in order to ensure ROI.
Top Tips on Obtaining Cost Savings with Server Consolidation – Intel Solution Services knows that realising savings from server consolidation is a complex issue and can be done in many different ways. As Intel Solution Services has experience of working with customers from each sector, it is well placed to advise on the topics that need to be addressed when achieving this goal.
The Do’s and Don’ts of implementing a Server Consolidation Strategy – with so many organisations seeing this process as a way of realising cost savings, it is vital that all aspects are carefully considered. This document will investigate all the areas that need to be understood and managed in order for the project to be a success.
For more information, please visit: http://www.intel.com/cd/services/intelsolutionservices/asmo-na/eng/index.htm
Intel(R) Solution Services Optimise Strategy
Server Consolidation has long been identified as an effective way of reducing IT costs. In an eagerness to save money, some companies have jumped on the server consolidation bandwagon without due consideration and thought – and many are paying the price. Without a coherent consolidation strategy, determining ROI and trying to ascertain cost savings on the project can be nigh on impossible. And without knowing what the ROI and TCO of implementing a server consolidation strategy is, justifying the consolidation process can be a tough task.
For effective server consolidation, it is important to consider using a third party to create a planning and validation strategy. Intel Solution Services Server Consolidation Practice works with clients to assess business goals and infrastructure and then architect, build and optimise a specific solution for maximum performance and scalability. This approach reveals unforeseen costs, allows for optimisation of the solution, creates a roadmap for the future and can help demonstrate an estimated ROI.
Intel Solution Services can offer:
A Guide on how to Realise ROI with Server Consolidation – This guide will outline all the main areas that should be taken into account in order to ensure ROI.
Top Tips on Obtaining Cost Savings with Server Consolidation – Intel Solution Services knows that realising savings from server consolidation is a complex issue and can be done in many different ways. As Intel Solution Services has experience of working with customers from each sector, it is well placed to advise on the topics that need to be addressed when achieving this goal.
The Do’s and Don’ts of implementing a Server Consolidation Strategy – with so many organisations seeing this process as a way of realising cost savings, it is vital that all aspects are carefully considered. This document will investigate all the areas that need to be understood and managed in order for the project to be a success.
For more information, please visit: http://www.intel.com/cd/services/intelsolutionservices/asmo-na/eng/index.htm