IT Infrastructure Assessment Services
Industry
Applies to any industry.
IT Assessment Overview
From an IT Governance perspective, periodic infrastructure assessments help organizations review and act on potential discrepancies such as old hardware, unused circuits, variances in network architecture, server and storage posture, and many other related components. Assessing and IT infrastructure is a partnership between client IT departments and the Assessor, thereby working together transparently to achieve a clear picture of the IT infrastructure posture.
IT Assessment Actionable Items
Our assessment approach begins with a thorough review of the project plan, timelines, and identification of key stakeholders. We then evaluate critical infrastructure components, starting with:
Equipment Rooms: Assess IDF, MDF, data rooms, and data centers for efficiency and organization.
Structured Cabling: Review the data cabling at all relevant office locations to ensure it supports the network’s needs.
Asset Inventory: Compile detailed technical and lifecycle information for all hardware and software assets.
Asset Distribution: Analyze how IT assets are distributed across equipment rooms, focusing on power usage and cooling capacity.
Network Blueprint: Create a comprehensive network blueprint for each location, including wireline (Layer 1), datalink (Layer 2), and network (Layer 3) topologies.
IP Network Schema: Capture the current IP network configuration, including network services and DHCP pools in use.
Circuit Inventory: Document circuits and assess their utilization levels to ensure optimal performance.
WAN Structure: Illustrate and evaluate the organization’s wide-area network (WAN) structure and Internet access.
The resulting documentation offers valuable insights into the current state of the infrastructure, serving as a detailed reference for IT architects, engineers, and administrators. It provides a solid foundation for decision-making, helping to identify areas for improvement, ensure efficient resource allocation, and support future growth.
IT Infrastructure Assessment Outputs
Upon completion of the assessment, a detailed slide deck and supporting documentation are provided, outlining key findings and insights. The deliverables typically include:
IT Room and Asset Distribution: Details of IT rooms and the distribution of assets across racks for each location.
Network Topology: Diagrams showing the various layers of the network infrastructure, providing a clear view of the organization’s setup.
Asset Inventory: A comprehensive list of network, server, and storage assets, including key technical details.
Security Perimeter and Firewalls: An overview of the security perimeter, illustrating the different firewall zones and how they relate to each other.
Infrastructure Attributes: Important details about platform licensing, support maintenance, and base configuration parameters of the assessed infrastructure.
Recommendations for Improvement: Expert suggestions and potential adjustments to enhance performance, improve security, or achieve cost savings.
This assessment serves as a comprehensive "X-ray" of the organization’s current IT infrastructure, offering IT leadership a clear understanding of the existing environment. It highlights areas where adjustments can lead to optimized performance, better resource utilization, and cost savings. The documentation provided is also a valuable reference for IT architects, engineers, and administrators, supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning for future improvements.
IT Assessment Benefits
An IT infrastructure assessment provides both financial and technical benefits to an organization, helping optimize resources and ensure long-term success.
Financial Benefits:
Cost Optimization: By identifying inefficiencies, such as underutilized assets, outdated hardware, or unnecessary services, organizations can reduce operational expenses and avoid overspending.
Informed Budgeting: The assessment offers a clear understanding of current assets and upcoming needs, allowing for more accurate budget forecasting and allocation of capital for future investments.
Vendor Evaluation: By reviewing contracts and usage, organizations can renegotiate vendor agreements or switch to more cost-effective solutions, potentially reducing licensing and support costs.
Risk Mitigation: Addressing vulnerabilities and gaps in security can help avoid costly breaches, downtime, or compliance penalties.
Technical Benefits:
Performance Optimization: The assessment identifies areas where infrastructure performance can be improved, such as optimizing network configurations, enhancing storage solutions, or upgrading outdated systems.
Scalability: It provides insights into the scalability of the existing infrastructure, ensuring it can support future growth and evolving business needs.
Security Enhancement: By uncovering security weaknesses, the assessment helps improve the organization's security posture, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.
Compliance: Ensures that the IT infrastructure meets industry standards and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
Overall, an IT infrastructure assessment helps organizations align their technical capabilities with their financial goals, driving both efficiency and security.
Interested in IT Assessment Services?
Is your organization experiencing a transition between a large group of employees?
Is the organization about to embark in a large-scale digital transformation?
Are you welcoming new leadership in the IT division?
Are business strategists exploring opportunities for company acquisitions?
Is evaluating expenses and looking for areas to optimize a priority?
Are you in need of comprehensive infrastructure documentation?
Book a free one hour session to consult with us if we’re right for your IT Assessment needs.