I don’t think people realize how similar the IT and movie industries are. Though 3D movies have been around in some form since 1915, 2003 marked the year of kicking 3D effects into blockbuster action. Despite low movie-goer excitement for 3D movies in the beginning years, studios joining the game in 2007 were able to hit the 3D sweet-spot where technological advancements and public thrill started to peak. For the studios that waited until 2010 to pick up the technology - where cost dropped from demand - late-joining studios suffered under those more experienced who were already evaluating a new set of technologies to get ahead in the game.
IT Directors are faced with the same challenges when it comes down to their environments. Although new technology is attractive, it isn't always tangible when considering the end-users' abilities, or the company's financial goals. While delaying IT services to wait for the industry to work out technological glitches is often favorable, waiting too long can cripple your organization's IT and future budget. Directors often find themselves in a position where they start to struggle meeting the needs of their users, and adopting the delayed technology will only meet the company's needs for a short amount of time.
Here are a few things to consider when evaluating for a server refresh:
Performance
Protection
Virtualization
ROI
In conclusion, it is nice to hold onto more of your budget this year. However given the benefits a new server can provide, especially if you are working with ones four years old or older, it might be time to evaluate a sever refresh for your environment.
