Switching a Small Business to Apple Mac
07/12/10 10:36
One of the great things that I get to do in my line of business is switching other businesses over to Apple computers. It's actually fun to me. Who wouldn’t love opening multiple boxes of brand new iMacs and Mac Minis? At the same time, I get watch users realize just how easy it is to use these machines, often contrary to what they assumed was going to be a tedious process of re-learning a new system. This is another one of those days, and I am looking forward to the install. It is a small business with basic needs, but they have been dealing with the same issues most PC user's deal with, and they realized the ROI when switching to Mac with all the other added benefits was too much to deny. Their payroll and accounting PC has been locking up 5 or 6 times a day, forcing hard reboots, and that just pushed them to the edge. Time to switch.
For this install I will be going with iMacs. They work so great in an office because you get a fast computer, very little desk clutter, and a brand new screen that is at least 21.5" (the smallest available iMac) and who doesn’t want a bigger screen? One user will be getting a 27" iMac, mainly because of the faster available processor. Each one will be loaded down with 8 GB of RAM. These machines will not be managed by a server, that would be overkill for this install, but will instead use Omrinet's Managed Mac service ($50/Year per machine) so we can keep a remote eye on them for updates and any issues. There are times when I would suggest Mac Minis, because of their slightly lower cost (you usually end up spending about the same amount after users upgrade their monitors), but mainly because they can all be centrally located in a data or phone room/closet and then controlled by each user over an ethernet KVM switch. This keeps machines out of harms way and we can put the machines close to a switch, all on one battery backup device (they use very little energy), and in a temperature controlled environment where its still cool in the winter.
Backups are always essential and I use a combination of Apple's built in Time Machine functionality and the Dropbox service. All backups and shared folders reside on a Drobo NAS, which I always suggest to my clients, regardless of size. With this setup they have essential files backed up across multiple devices and the cloud, disk images of their current state for several days out, and 6 TB of storage on the Drobo. For a 5 user environment, this will last them a long time. The machines being replaced are about 3 years old, which in my experience is an expected life of a PC in a business role. The Macs, on the other hand, should last them at least 7 years. If storage ever becomes an issue, we can deal with that by upgrading the Drobo's drives with no affect on the users.
If you wondering what drove the client to switch, here is the short list, in no particular order:
1. Low cost remote management
2. Virtually no worry of virus or spyware
3. Lack of frivolous applications users can install and waste time and resources
4. Lower energy consumption
5. Solid OS creates less downtime, higher production
6. Greater ROI from longer equipment life cycle
7. Less desk clutter
8. Efficient backups requiring no user effort
9. Fewer driver issues regarding peripherals
10. They look great!
If you are considering switching, think about these things. Understand any computer purchase is an investment in your company and your employees, and happier employees work better. Have questions or want to find out the best way to switch your organization? Contact us, we are Apple Certified and thrilled to help.
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