Thursday, April 2, 2009 

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

I'm often asked about costs. In the computer world, the product that's cheapest to buy isn't always the one that's cheapest to own.

We need to consider how much it costs to own a product, as well. The formal name for this is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

When evaluating a proposed purchase, consider these costs:

  • Integration - few business systems stand alone. To integrate a new system with other systems, not only must the new system be modified, but often the surrounding systems that are in place must be modified as well.
  • Migration from old system to new - include decommisioning and disposal costs of obsoleted systems
  • System Testing
  • Financing
  • Insurance
  • Software License Tracking
  • System Audit
  • Physical Inventory
  • Data and System Backup and restore costs
  • Floor Space
  • HVAC
  • Spares Storage Space
  • Electric Power
  • Maintenance
  • On-Hand Spare Parts
  • Administration
  • Training of support personnel
  • Training of users
  • Upgrade - both cash expenditure and personnel needed to implement the upgrades
  • Decommisioning and Disposal at system end of life

The combined cost of buying hardware and software usually represents much less than the total cost of system ownership. This comes as a shock to the uninitiated.

Another surprise is that, one way or another, each new system imposes a training cost. Many organizations pay professional trainers to teach systems to their employees. Others don't. In those cases, the employees work less productively as they hunt and Axis and Allies around the new system while they Aurora Dracula model the learning curve.

As the TV ad says, "You can pay me now or you can pay me later". New systems always impose training costs: would you prefer to budget for this ahead of time and train your staff, or just let them fend for themselves, while wasting time learning the new system?

Russ Bellew is an IT consultant whose office is in Broward County, Florida. He helps businesses minimize TCO while maximizing their ROI through russbellew.com/computer_networks.aspx">careful network planning. Learn more by visiting russbellew.comrussbellew.com

 

Cost-Effective Solar Applications For Pool Heating

Everyone wants to reap Webkinz benefits of fun filled pool days 1961 Topps baseball cards depending on where you live the temperature of your pool might not be suitable to your needs of enjoyment. The most customary application to keeping your pool at an enjoyable temperature was to use a pool cover but that is now a thing of the past. Pool covers do not provide any pay back on your investment they however can help with monthly savings on the heating costs.

With so many advancements of solar applications that can be applied in assisting with the overall efficiency of your pool, these heating systems have proven to be the most cost-effective, and valuable investment a homeowner or commercial property owner can make. Many systems can range from $3,000 to $4,000 for complete parts and installation. The repayment of your system (ROI) can vary depending on your fuel costs, size of pool,(residential or commercial) The ROItime frame can be anywhere from 1.5 to 7 years and lets not forget about those state, Federal refunds, Rebates and Creditsthat can drastically reduce your return on investment.

Florida has one of the longest swimming seasons and one would question why bother with heating their pool. Well because your investment should be available for use at all times, and even during those warm summer months a solar heating system can be used to cool your pool by circulating the water through the collectors at night.

Adding a solar pool heater to your existing system is a reasonably simple project. Many commercial and residential plumbers are leading in the spread of eco-friendly solar applications. When deciding on implementing a solar pool heating system take the steps to make sure that your existing pump will work because you might need a larger one in order to pump the pools water to and through the solar collectors. A properly sized pool pump will regulate the existing filter pump can be used to circulate the pool water, however to keep the panels operating at high efficiency have your residential plumber evaluate the flow rate of the pool. To get the best overall performance on your solar system the flow rate is essential on every type of solar design along with proper sizing of the pump and filter.

Heating your pool depends on many factors, and therefore when deciding on a solar heating system be sure to obtain a professional that is knowledgeable in all aspects of plumbing and solar. So whether you are warming or cooling your pool with a solar system you can do so without the concern of high energy bills, and damage to the environment.

Zager Plumbing & Solar Inc is a certified licensed plumbing and solar contractor. United with alternative energy Zager Plumbing & Solar Inc can assist in the future drive towards going green. Visit us at href="zagerplumbingandsolar.com">zagerplumbingandsolar.com and together we can provide a green helping hand.

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