How to design an IT enterprise system without over-provisioning

Enterprise IT systems, otherwise known as enterprise-class IT, are a collection of designed hardware and software systems that are integrated into a single functional system to meet the demands of large organizations. Enterprise IT systems often require additional availability, compatibility across systems, scalability, and impeccable security.

This guide provides the best practices for designing an effective, reliable IT enterprise system without over-provisioning.

The importance of design and planning for an IT enterprise

Do enterprise systems look any different from others? Not really. End users typically access applications through a web browser or page. Although enterprise systems may appear simple up front, the backend and connected systems are often extremely complex. The integrated technology required to run the system across the enterprise requires numerous layers and multiple connection sources for data and third-party applications. Additionally, all the independent pieces must be kept updated and secure. This is where the critical importance of effective system design becomes obvious.

The best practices for designing a reliable, high-performing, productive enterprise system include strategic planning and design that implement monitoring, security, and the provisioning of appropriate resources. 

Basic enterprise system design best practices include:

• Purpose and plan
  • Enterprise systems are built to serve a business purpose. Make sure the executive team and managers understand the reason for the system and what it is meant to accomplish.

• Document the design
  • Attrition and turnover are inevitable, so make sure the entire enterprise system design is documented and updated on a routine basis.
  • Include documentation of configuration decisions, operating system expectations, and the parameters used in the system to achieve them.
  • Documentation increases new employees’ understanding of a system. If changes are needed, it’s faster and more accurate when the system design is known.

• Security procedures
  • Nearly all businesses process and store multiple types of sensitive data for clients, customers, and employees. Keeping business data secure is critical.
  • Implement authentication, biometric, and two-factor authentication along with strong data encryption on all system applications.
  • Don’t forget to secure databases, APIs, and any other connectivity streams or data transfer protocols.
  • Unsecured systems and the lack of maintaining updated security measures leave a business vulnerable to hacking, data loss, significant financial penalties, and a damaged reputation.

• Scalable provisioning
  • Ensure provisioning is scalable and accurate
  • Over-provisioning a system can create excessive and unplanned cost overruns.
  • Optimize a design that automatically scales the system to achieve a positive cost-to-performance structure. Create alerts to notify IT personnel when over-provisioning is detected.

• Create a backup scheme
  • Creating a system backup may seem obvious. However, it’s often overlooked. Enterprise systems require multiple backups of integrated systems to occur simultaneously.
  • A solid backup plan that includes the entire system will keep end users productive longer and save the business from losing days or weeks in case errors, causing system down time occur. Make a concrete backup plan to keep the system functioning at its best to enable employee productivity.

• Monitor the functioning of the entire system
  • Monitoring server system availability  is critical to keep end users productive.
  • Monitoring continuously and notifying IT personnel of system errors immediately helps keep the system running at its best.
  • Monitoring keeps track of application and technical infrastructure health. It’s better to know sooner rather than later if an error has occurred.
  • Monitoring is also necessary for keeping the system secure.

What does over-provisioning mean for an IT enterprise system?

Over-provisioning means the business pays for resources it doesn’t need or isn’t using. In the technology world, over-provisioning means stocking up on storage, server capacity, or bandwidth in case there’s a sudden or unexpected spike in volume. The intent is to keep the system running at peak performance regardless of the size of the user load.

There are multiple methods to eliminate unnecessary cost overruns caused by over-provisioning server allocations. Virtualization is designed to deploy multiple servers only when needed. Containerization is an option that leverages virtualization for only the specific server instances required. Both are more efficient than over-provisioning and keep the business from paying for unnecessary server resources.

When designing or planning an IT enterprise system, focus on creating a scalable and productive system capable of processing high data volumes and loads without noticeably affecting performance, rather than turning to over-provisioning.

How does over-provisioning impact business productivity and revenue?

Over-provisioning server resources is both inefficient and unnecessary. Paying for unnecessary services can significantly impact the bottom line.

Plan for variances in user loads and handle them effectively without paying for excessive provisioning. Consider this: 136% of a business’s operating budget may be spent on over-provisioning as an expensive, risk avoidance tactic!

Instead of losing money on over-provisioning, design an effective and efficient enterprise system. Invest in a solid, scalable design that generates business revenue and increases productivity and efficiency.

Are you ready to adapt and thrive?

Ready to eliminate unnecessary costs and improve productivity? Need help designing and implementing a highly functionable, scalable, and efficient enterprise system?

It can be challenging and time-consuming. Consider using an IT outsourcing partner that values honest, open communication, clear contract terms, and full transparency and flexibility. Business success depends on finding a trustworthy outsourcing IT and software development partner that can work with you, side-by-side, to create the enterprise system that meets your needs and budget.

At Allari, we provide the support you need to adapt and thrive in changing times. We’ll tweak your tech and transform your company – for the better!

Our 60+ specialists are experts in J.D. Edwards and 80 other business technologies, and they know them inside and out. Our specialists’ knowledge and experience position Allari to help with your business needs from day-to-day production issues to full-scale digital transformation projects.

Get in touch! Schedule a free consultation to discuss the IT problems you need to solve or the digital projects you want to accomplish and get started.