What makes up an IT Infrastructure?
A well-designed IT infrastructure is dependable, resilient and efficient, and enables you to focus on what matters to your organisation without spending valuable time on IT management and maintenance. And such, it must be tailored to your requirements and designed to have the scalability and flexibility to grow as you grow and support your changing requirements over time.
What are the IT Infrastructure Components?
Made up of several elements, an IT infrastructure is typically a combination of hardware, software, and networks, and is designed to facilitate communication between each, linking your devices to your printers, your desktops to your network, or your servers to the cloud.
Your IT Infrastructure is typically layered:
Software and applications – The things you use
Access and devices – the things you connect to the network
Servers and storage – things that provide services for your devices to consume
Network and communication – the fabric upon which the above layers communicate
Professional and managed services – the services you purchase to deliver IT projects or ensure they’re always working
Here are some examples of components that may make up the layers in your organisation:
Software
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Application software
- Project management
- Productivity software
- Time management
- Microsoft platforms (OS, office)
- Design
- Security
- Threat detection and antivirus
- Cloud platforms
- SAAS
Access and devices
- Desktop PCs
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Printers
- Scanners
- Labelling
- AV
- Digital signage
- CCTV
Servers and storage
- Servers
- Storage
- Security
- Cloud storage
- Virtualization
- Hyperconvergence
Network and communication
- Switches
- Routers
- Firewalls
- Wireless access points
- Physical cabling (fibre or copper cabling)
Professional services
- Flexible support packages
- Service desk
- Risk assessments
- Software/hardware audits
- Engineer visits
- Network upgrades
- Change management
- Installations and decommissions
- Migrations
- Site surveys
When designed well, all components should run smoothly, communicate freely but securely with limited maintenance or intervention required from IT Services companies. As IT Infrastructure so often underpins the very function of a company – resiliency in design and ensuring there are no single points of failure become incredibly important.
With the ever-increasing threat from ever-expanding sources, security is paramount to ensuring your staff, data and IP remains yours, and your Infrastructure continues to function.
Balancing security, cost, maintenance, and performance is a complex endeavor requiring a broad range of skillsets and expertise. It’s incredibly easy to waste money on IT; getting the right guidance before, during and after your major projects and investments is critical.
Expert guidance for your IT Infrastructure
Whilst our devices and software are the key components to our IT infrastructure designs, it is our solutions team who provide expert guidance on what IT services and solutions will best fit your organisation.
From the design process, all the way through to configuring, deploying and supporting, our team of experts can help you build an IT infrastructure perfect for your business or school.
To find out more, contact a member of our team.
