36.COMPUTER HARDWARE BUSINESS

IT is a key investment for many small businesses and should be chosen with care. Computer hardware is the most recognisable part of IT. Software is needed to make hardware useful. Hardware is an important part of your business assets. Without the correct hardware, your software may not run efficiently or even at all, so it should be chosen carefully.This guide will take you through every aspect of hardware acquisition, from assessing your needs to getting the best deal and finding specialist help. It covers a range of hardware, including stand-alone PCs, servers, network equipment, scanners and printers. It also provides information about the security measures that you should take to protect your investment from risks such as thef.

Before purchasing computer hardware, consider your business objectives and what benefits IT will bring.You cannot choose the right hardware unless you know exactly what you want it to do for you. Identify areas where IT might be able to help your business.cutting costs by automating routine tasks improving customer service levels, perhaps by using an Internet-based system that customers can access, eg allowing customers to renew their car insurance online or check on the status of a package that has been sent via a courier company, without needing to contact any member of staff directly
increasing your margins by helping your employees work more efficiently introducing a new line of business that requires IT for delivery to the customer - for example, to deliver electronic information or content directly to the customer, or enable them to take part in an online auction.

Desktop hardware, such as PCs, is the most common type of hardware purchase for a small business. The cost of hardware depends on its specification. This in turn is determined by some key components. When you buy desktop hardware you will need to decide what the specification of these key components should be.The processor is the heart of a desktop PC. Processors are distinguished by their speed measured in Gigahertz (GHz). The higher the speed, the faster the PC will be. For normal office-based PC usage, it is not necessary to buy the fastest processor. A typical processor running at about 2 GHz delivers excellent performance for normal office functions.Memory is used by the processor to run programs. Generally, the more random access memory (RAM) you have, the better the PC will run when using several programs at once. A typical office PC can run well with 512 megabytes (512MB) of memory and this is a good minimum specification.

The hard disk is used to store the data that you create in your business as well as the programs that you use. Its capacity is much greater than the RAM. A typical office computer has about 80 gigabytes (80GB) of hard disk space, but if you intend to use a single desktop PC as the main storage location for all your business data then you will need more.The monitor is the display screen. There are two types of monitor - flat screen or cathode ray tube (CRT). Flat screens are more expensive but are becoming more widely used as they use less desk space and generate less heat. Select at least a 17 inch monitor for desktop use.The keyboard and mouse usually come as part of a bundle but you may be able to select wireless devices that make desktops neater.There are alternative computers to conventional PCs available, such as Apple Macs, which have historically been used to support desktop publishing software. However, they now offer a comparable system for general office use.