Media Coverage

The Experts: Information Technology

Don't let your firm 'go dark'

Column by Kevin Banks, Inside Business - Hampton Roads, June 16, 2008

As of March 1, 2007, all televisions imported into the United States or shipped by interstate commerce had to contain a digital tuner. On Feb. 17, 2009, all television broadcast companies will shut down their analog transmitters. On that date, all televisions operating purely on an analog signal will “go dark.”

In the world of information technology, this type of event occurs on a regular basis. It's known as the technology life cycle. Every technology must face the time when it has to make way for a new and improved version of its former self or a completely new model.

If your business relies heavily on technology to support its operations, you should pay attention to two terms: end of life (EOL) and end of support (EOS). Manufacturers usually keep this information posted on their Web sites, but few businesses know to look for it.

EOL basically means that a manufacturer will no longer produce a particular product for new sale. EOS establishes a date when a manufacturer will no longer offer support for a particular product. To illustrate these designations using the above scenario, televisions without digital tuners are in the EOL phase, and analog broadcasts will enter the EOS phase on Feb. 17, 2009.

Manufacturers generally provide support for a product after it has entered the EOL phase. In some cases this support can last several years. However, it's best that your business start planning for the technology refresh during the timeframe between EOL and EOS. This should provide ample time to prepare for the one roadblock that usually stalls most IT acquisition projects – the budget.

Knowing when a system or software package is entering the EOS phase is critical. If your business experiences a failure on a system that is in this phase, the manufacturer will not provide support. Furthermore, in regard to software, manufacturers will no longer release upgrades or security patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Without this information, you compromise your internal business data or that of your clients.

To overcome EOL and EOS for your servers and desktops, acquire and maintain computer hardware that is covered by a support agreement. New systems usually include a one-year support agreement, but it's best to extend it to at least three years when possible. If your business experiences that system or software failure, having a support agreement in place can significantly reduce your downtime.

For productivity software packages, acquire and maintain valid licenses for all software. Valid licenses will provide your business with access to upgrades and security patches. They also keep your company in compliance with copyright and intellectual property laws. The financial penalties associated with running unlicensed software in your environment can cripple, if not destroy, your business.

Assess your current technology and create a checklist that includes the EOL and EOS dates for each component. At a minimum, you should update this checklist quarterly. If you have components in the EOS phase, don’t panic. Create a plan that illustrates the purpose of the system, the business impact if it failed, the replacement cost in the event of a catastrophic failure, and compare that with the cost to acquire a new supported version. This will allow your business to make an informed decision about how to transition any EOS components out of production.

Now is the time to establish and maintain your technology foundation. In today’s technology-dependent world, as IT goes, so goes your business. Don’t let your business “go dark.”

Kevin Banks is founder and president of Innovative Vision Technologies Inc. an IT consulting firm headquartered in Hampton. He can be reached at www.ivtechcorp.com.