Staying ahead of the curve for small to medium enterprises can be a difficult challenge to overcome. Many different factors go into running a successful SME, but undoubtedly, the most vital is the technology that you are using.
Without a solid technological foundation for your day-to-day operations, it will be difficult to commit to demanding workloads and bring on new clients without worrying if your servers can handle the increased demand.
So, no matter if you are a new SME just starting out or a well-established SME with a huge capacity, these business server upgrades should be next on your list of considerations when the time comes to upscale.
Your Server Power Supply
A machine is only as good as its power supply. You can buy all the best tech, get all the appropriate upgrades, and invest thousands in state-of-the-art software to become a cut above the rest. But all this won’t matter without an adequate power supply to facilitate it all. They are the cornerstone of sterling server performance.
Many people choose to skimp on their power supplies which is usually a huge mistake. Going for a PSU with a Gold, Platinum, or Titanium rating is generally preferred for SME use. This will ensure it is robust enough to stand up to anything demanding workloads could throw at it.
We also recommend investing in a power supply with a minimum of a 50W buffer but an ideal 100W buffer. Having a wattage buffer in place will protect your servers from any sudden spikes in power usage and safeguard against power supply burnout in the event of a piece of hardware drawing more than it’s meant to.
You can browse SME-ready server power supplies at ETB Technologies.
Invest In A Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
In the same vein as the power supply, the power distribution unit is also crucial for most SME operations – especially if you have multiple devices, be it workstations or servers.
A PDU is responsible for ensuring every bit of kit you have within your enterprise operations gets enough power to function appropriately.
Any data center of any scale can benefit greatly from a device like this as it helps streamline power management, and some models come with built-in features such as surge protection.
Absolutely worth looking at if you are thinking of scaling up anytime soon.
Install More RAM
But don’t just buy some new chips and throw them in there, unless you know exactly what you need and what you want to buy.
RAM (or random access memory) impacts your machine’s ability to run applications, which is true for both workstations and servers. More RAM will essentially mean that your server or workstation can run tasks quicker.
That being said, there are limitations on how much RAM you can install and what your machine can use. Usually, if you are looking to up-scale your RAM for a machine, you will need to up-scale your motherboard to facilitate it.
You then may want to improve your power supply setup (which we already covered briefly) and possibly invest in a new CPU.
You will only need a new CPU if you plan to dramatically change the amount of RAM you want for your server or workstation.
Another thing you will need to consider is what type of RAM you should get. While outdated now, some machines will still run DDR3 RAM, and some machines have more up-to-date DDR4 RAM. Make sure you are getting the right type.
It is also vital that you sync the clock speed of all your RAM chips and ensure this clock speed is compatible with the rest of your machine’s tech.
However, all that aside, upgrading your RAM can dramatically increase how useful a machine is.
Make Use of SSDs and HDDs
Solid-state drives are wonderful for speed and efficiency. But what they make up for in these aspects they lack in their storage capacity, and that is where hard drive disks can pick up the slack.
If you are just getting into the SME world, it may be worth building out a machine with both. Or, better yet, invest in a storage array to future-proof your storage capacity going forward.
Good practice usually means using an SSD to run your server and using HDDs to store all your data, and this keeps your operating system segregated from your data storage.
In Summary
There are many, many ways that you can upgrade your server for your SME. Some of the methods listed here may not work for your situation, and some might. What’s important is assessing your current needs, anticipating your future needs, and building your SME infrastructure accordingly.
Sticking to this model will enable you to handle your current business without worrying about the capacity to sign new clients.