Is IT Overrun by Competitive People? How to Keep Your Cool and Succeed

Is IT Overrun by Competitive People? How to Keep Your Cool and Succeed

A manager talking to an IT employee about his competitive work ethic.

A manager talking to an IT employee about his competitive work ethic.

Brandon is an IT manager at a Midwestern manufacturing company.  He is smart, enthusiastic and is doing what it takes to prepare himself to move up the management ladder at his company.  Even to the point of working nights and weekends, missing time with his family and friends.  He is concerned that one of his co-workers views everything as a competition and Brandon feels like this co-worker is always trying to make himself look good in front of the group’s VP.

Zeriva understands that IT managers face a lot of problems not necessarily related to the operation of the company’s fixed IT assets and networks. You deserve the resources you need to do your job.

Whether that’s information on how to be a better worker or manager or on how to implement your 3 year network upgrade plan.  Zeriva has been in business for 17 years and have helped literally thousands of IT departments.

Below is a quick overview of some of the things Brandon does to manage overly competitive people.

It can be frustrating when every task at your job feels like a competition. This is especially true if there is an overly competitive worker at the company who leaves you feeling as though your work isn’t good enough. Outside of work, if someone is overly competitive and not fun to be around you can just take your ball and go home. However, you cannot do the same thing at work. At least not without quitting your job. Even then, you could find that the competitive spirit follows you pretty much wherever you go.

There are ways of dealing with overly competitive people at work. There are mindsets that you can adopt that will make them less annoying. In this post, we’ll break down some of the reasons that you shouldn’t let competition feel like a bad thing and what you can do when employees take it too far. By the end of it, you’ll be prepared to take on the day and be a happier and more productive version of yourself.

Here are some things Brandon now knows about competitive co-workers and how to use them to his advantage:

  • The Good and the Bad of Competition
  • Dealing With a Competitive Manager
  • Dealing With a Competitive Co-Worker
  • Dealing With a Competitive Employee

 

The Good and the Bad of Competition

Healthy competition is a good thing for a work environment. Psychologist Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D. explains, “Competitive people get things done and have much self-discipline, perseverance, and stamina, typically not giving up easily in the pursuit to be the best at whatever they are aiming for. Because competitive people are frequently very motivated and perform at a high level, they can often inspire others to function and perform to the best of their abilities as well”

The problem, she says, comes when people become so competitive that they are unable to turn it off. Indeed, there are times when a team needs to come together and work as a unit. Someone who is hypercompetitive may impede that from happening. This can have the opposite effect that healthy competition has, making the team less efficient and decreasing morale.

How to best deal with this depends on the competitive person’s relationship to you. Far different strategies need to be employed if the person is your boss than they do if the person is your employee. Let’s take a look at some ways to deal with overly competitive people from a variety of different relationships.

Dealing With a Competitive Manager

The power dynamics of dealing with a boss can make it difficult to work with them if they are hyper-competitive. While you may be able to talk things out with an equal co-worker, your boss will likely not be receptive to complaints about their demeanor. The job of a good manager is to be a leader. Managers that are overly competitive are not particularly good at being leaders, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help them along.

The first thing to do is to understand that it is rarely personal. The boss has a certain level of performance that they are expecting and you must try to match or exceed that performance. Pay attention to how your co-workers deal with the boss. Are there any that get along well with them? If so, try to emulate their demeanor and work ethic.

If none of the employees get along with the manager, then you can certainly attempt to be the first. Remember, the manager has expectations that their competitive nature has kicked into overdrive. Try to put aside your own perceptions of your performance and understand their perspective. Figure out exactly what it is they want from you and try your best to give that to them.

Dealing With a Competitive Co-Worker

If a co-worker on equal footing as you is being competitive, the first thing you must do is determine the nature of the competition. Remember, some competition is good. If your would-be nemesis is being competitive simply because he or she wants to be the best at their job, then you should see this as an opportunity to step up your own game. After all, your own career is only advanced when you show yourself to be one of the best at your job as well.

Sometimes though, a co-worker’s competitive nature gets in the way of teamwork. In these instances, you must try to remind the person that they are a part of a team. It can be as simple as responding to their competitive nature by speaking collectively. “That’s a great idea! It’ll really help us meet our goals!” is an example of the type of language that can gently remind them that their work is a team effort.

If that is not enough, and the co-worker is still not quite getting the hint and is bringing down the morale of the team, try being a little more direct with them. Remind them very explicitly, but politely, that you are all in this together and that things will go much more smoothly if you all work together.

Dealing With a Competitive Employee

As stated earlier, one of the key roles of a manager is to be a leader. If an employee is being hyper-competitive, it is likely because they are trying to get ahead. They want to advance in their careers, but their behavior is creating friction that will impede their advancement and act as a detriment to the productivity of everyone who works with them.

In other words, this employee needs guidance on how to best manage their career. This is the perfect time for you to step in and act as a mentor to them. Explain to the employee that you appreciate their enthusiasm. The goal is to get them to tone down the competition, not crush their spirit. After that, let them know that their behavior is too much and that by working more cohesively with the team they will be a larger benefit to the company, and therefore on a faster track for the advancement that they desire.

Learn More About Traversing the Competitive World of IT

Not having enough resources to manage your career and your network means that you can’t accomplish your goals.  It may also means that you have to work later or work nights and weekends; missing out on time you could spend with family and friends.  Zeriva works with IT Directors like Brandon every day.  Zeriva analyzes networks and recommends hardware and maintenance solutions that boosts performance and saves money and time.

Click the link below and get the resources you deserve to do your job and advance your career.

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    HP DL360 G10 Overview

    HP DL360 G10 Overview

     

    Zeriva provides HP Servers and accessories for up to 90% off the HP List price.  Many have HP Warranty on them and all carry the Zeriva Forever Warranty.  Click on the “Request Assistance on Your Next Project” link on the right and request a quote.

     

    HP DL360 G10 Options

     

    The HP DL360 G10 server is designed for high-performance computing applications like virtualization and database in environments where space is at a premium.  This platform was developed to provide admins and engineers a secure environment without compromising flexibility and ease of use.

     

    Each DL360 G10 supports up to two Intel Xeon Scalable Processors with up to 28 Cores along with up to 6TB of 2666 MT/s HPE Persistent Memory.  (Wow! That’s a lot of memory!)

     

    High-Performance Delivered By:

     

    • Dual Intel Processors with up to 28 Cores
    • Up to 6TB RAM
    • 12G SAS Capable
    • HPE Persistent Memory improving DRAM access speeds (supported on Intel 8200, 6200, 5200 and 4215)
    • Supports up to (10) SFF and (4) LFF Drives
    • Supports up to (10) optional NVMe PCIe SSDs
    • Supports up to (12) NVDIMMs
    • iLO 5 implements security including Server Configuration Lock, Runtime Firmware Verification, Trusted Platform Module and the Intrusion Detection Kit
    • InfoSight cloud based analytics
    • Mix SAS/SATA and NVMe within the same chassis

     

    Processors

     

    2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® 8200 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Platinum 8280 2.7 GHz 28 38.50 MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8280L 2.7GHz 28 38.50 MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 4.5TB
    Platinum 8280M 2.7GHz 28 38.50 MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 2TB
    Platinum 8276 2.2GHz 28 38.50 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8276L 2.2GHz 28 38.50 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 4.5TB
    Platinum 8276M 2.2GHz 28 38.50 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 2TB
    Platinum 8270 2.7GHz 26 35.75 MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8268 2.9GHz 24 35.75 MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8260 2.4GHz 24 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8260L 2.4GHz 24 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 4.5TB
    Platinum 8260M 2.4GHz 24 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 2TB
    Platinum 8260Y 2.4GHz 24 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8260Y 2.5GHz 20 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8260Y 2.7GHz 16 35.75 MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8256 3.8GHz 4 16.50 MB 105W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB
    Platinum 8253 2.2GHz 16 22.00 MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933 MT/s 1TB

     

     

    1st Generation Intel® Xeon® 8100 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Platinum 8180M 2.5GHz 28 38.50MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1.5TB
    Platinum 8180 2.5GHz 28 38.50MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8176 2.1GHz 28 38.50MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8170 2.1GHz 26 35.75MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8168 2.7GHz 24 33.00MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8165 2.3GHz 24 33.00MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8164 2.0GHz 26 35.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8160M 2.1GHz 24 33.00MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1.5TB
    Platinum 8160 2.1GHz 24 33.00MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8158 3.0GHz 12 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8156 3.6GHz 4 16.50MB 105W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Platinum 8153 2.0GHz 16 22.00MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB

     

    2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® 6200 / 5200 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Gold 6262V 1.9GHz 24 33.00MB 135W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6254 3.1GHz 18 24.75MB 200W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6252 2.1GHz 24 35.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6252N 2.3GHz 24 35.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6248 2.5GHz 20 27.5MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6246 3.3GHz 12 24.75MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6244 3.6GHz 8 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6242 2.8GHz 16 22MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6240 2.6GHz 18 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6240Y 2.6GHz 18 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6240Y 2.8GHz 14 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6240Y 3.1GHz 8 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 4.5TB
    Gold 6240L 2.6GHz 18 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 2TB
    Gold 6240M 2.6GHz 18 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6238 2.1GHz 22 30.25MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 4.5TB
    Gold 6238L 2.1GHz 22 30.25MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 2TB
    Gold 6238M 2.1GHz 22 30.25MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6234 3.3GHz 8 24.75MB 130W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6230 2.1GHz 20 27.5MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6230N 2.3GHz 20 27.5MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6226 2.7GHz 12 19.25MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6222V 1.8GHz 20 27.5MB 115W 3@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6212U 2.4GHz 24 35.75MB 165W N/A 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6210U 2.5GHz 20 27.5MB 150W N/A 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 6209U 2.1GHz 20 27.5MB 125W N/A 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5222 3.8GHz 4 16.5MB 105W 2@10.4 GT/s 2933MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5220 2.2GHz 18 24.75MB 125W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5220S 2.7GHz 18 24.75MB 125W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5218 2.3GHz 16 22MB 125W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5218N 2.3GHz 16 22MB 110W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5218B 2.3GHz 16 22MB 125W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5217 3.0GHz 8 11MB 115W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5215 2.5GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1TB
    Gold 5215L 2.5GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 4.5TB
    Gold 5215M 2.5GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 2TB

     

    Note: The 5218B has consistent features with the 5218 processor but from a different die. Mixing both 5218B & 5218 in a single server system is not supported

     

    1st Generation Intel® Xeon® 6100 / 5100 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Gold 6154 3.0GHz 18 24.75MB 200W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6152 2.1GHz 22 30.25MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6150 2.7GHz 18 24.75MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6148 2.4GHz 20 27.5MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6146 3.2GHz 12 24.75MB 165W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6144 3.5GHz 8 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6143 2.8GHz 16 22.00MB 205W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6142 2.6GHz 16 22.00MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6140 2.3GHz 18 24.75MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6138 2.0GHz 20 27.50MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6136 3.0GHz 12 24.75MB 150W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6134M 3.2GHz 8 24.75MB 130W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6134 3.2GHz 8 24.75MB 130W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 1.5TB
    Gold 6132 2.6GHz 14 19.25MB 140W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6130 2.1GHz 16 22.00MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6128 3.4GHz 6 19.25MB 115W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 6126 2.6GHz 12 19.25MB 125W 3@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 5122 3.6GHz 4 16.50MB 105W 2@10.4 GT/s 2666MT/s 768GB
    Gold 5120 2.2GHz 14 19.25MB 105W 2@10.4 GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Gold 5118 2.3GHz 12 16.50MB 105W 2@10.4 GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Gold 5117 2.0GHz 14 19.25MB 105W 2@10.4 GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Gold 5115 2.4GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@10.4 GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB

     

    2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® 4200 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Silver 4216 2.1GHz 16 22MB 100W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4215 2.5GHz 8 11MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4214Y 2.2GHz 12 16.5MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4214Y 2.3GHz 10 16.5MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4214Y 2.4GHz 8 16.5MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4214 2.2GHz 12 16.5MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4210 2.2GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB
    Silver 4208 2.1GHz 8 11MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 1TB

     

     

    1st Generation Intel® Xeon® 4100 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Silver 4116 2.1GHz 12 16.5MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Silver 4114 2.2GHz 10 13.75MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Silver 4112 2.6GHz 4 8.25MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Silver 4110 2.1GHz 8 11MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB
    Silver 4108 1.8GHz 8 11MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2400MT/s 768GB

     

     

    2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® 3200 Scalable Processor Family

     

    Intel Processor Model Clock Speed Cores L3 Cache Power UPI DDR4 Mem per Socket
    Bronze 3204 1.9GHz 6 8.25MB 85W 2@9.6GT/s 2133MT/s 1TB

     

    Memory

     

    Type

    • RDIMM
    • LRDIMM (Load Reduced)

    Slots

    • 24 Total
    • 12 per Processor
    • 6 Channels per Processor
    • 2 DIMMS per Channel

    Maximum Memory Capacity

    • LRDIMM, 3TB (24 x 64GB LRDIMM)
    • RDIMM, 1.54TB (24 x 64GB RDIMM)
    • HPE Persistent, 6TB (12 x 512GB HPE Persistent Memory)
    • RDIMM and LRDIMM mixing is not supported

     

    Smart Array RAID Controllers

    • P408i-a  804331-B21
    • P408i-a  869081-B21 (LH low profile heatsink if GPGPU is ordered)
    • P408i-p 830824-B21
    • P408e-p 804405-B21
    • P816i-a  804338-B21
    • P816i-a  869083-B21 (LH low profile heatsink if GPGPU is ordered)

     

    Disk and Optical Drives

    Optical Options

    • DVD-ROM or DVD-RW for 8 SFF and 4 LFF Servers

     

    Hard Drive Capacity

    Storage Type Form Factor Max Capacity Configuration
    SAS HDD SFF 26.4TB 8+2+1 x 2.4 TB (with optional UMB* + rear drive option)
    SATA HDD SFF 22TB 8+2+1 x 2.0 TB (with optional UMB* + rear drive option)
    SAS SSD SFF 168.3TB 8+2+1 x 15.3 TB (with optional UMB* + rear drive option)
    SATA SSD SFF 84.48TB 8+2+1 x 7.68 TB (with optional UMB* + rear drive option)
    NVMe PCIe SSD SFF 153.6TB 10 x 15.36 TB NVMe
    SAS HDD LFF 56TB 4 x 14 TB
    SATA HDD LFF 56TB 4 x 14 TB
    SAS SSD LFF 7.68TB 4 x 1.92 TB
    SATA SSD LFF 7.68TB 4 x 1.92 TB

    *Universal Media Bus

     

    Power Supplies

    Power Supply Part Number
    500W AC 100-240V 563VA 865408-B21
    800W AC 200-240V 860VA 865438-B21
    800W AC 100-240V 908VA 865414-B21
    800W DC -48V 883VA 865434-B21
    800W AC 277 / DC 380V 877VA 865428-B21
    1600W AC 200-240V 1736VA 830272-B21

     

     

    *Information summarized from the HP DL360 G10 Worldwide Quickspecs and the HP Product Catalog.  Zeriva is an independent reseller of IT Hardware and is not affiliated with HP in any way.

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      7 Ways IT Leaders Build Great Employee Morale

      7 Ways IT Leaders Build Great Employee Morale

      Every manager or business owner should strive to create an environment of high employee morale. Having employees that are happy at work is not only important because your employees are people and deserve happiness, but because low morale impacts your business in fairly significant ways. Employees who have a low feeling of job satisfaction are not as productive as happy employees. They may not be as polite as you’d like them to be as they interact with users inside and outside the IT organization.

      If you are noticing a general gloom around the office, or want to avoid low employee morale before it becomes noticeable, there a few simple steps you can take that will make your employees happy to come to work. In this post, we’ll look at 7 of the best ways to improve employee morale in your department.

      Buy Breakfast or Lunch Every So Often

      This doesn’t need to be an everyday thing, but surprising your employees with breakfast or lunch every so often lets them know that you are thinking about them. A big part of low employee morale is when an employee feels underappreciated. Gestures such as a free breakfast or lunch every now again lets them know that you think of them as more than number on a payroll sheet or slaves to your bottom line.

      These purchases also needn’t be expensive, a simple bagel in the morning or sandwich at lunch serves the same purpose. Indeed, the goal here is just to let the employee know that you are thinking of them, not to buy their loyalty.

      Discuss Problems in Private

      One of the most demoralizing things you can have happened to you is to be berated by your boss in front of your coworkers. Even if you think you are being tactful, calling out an employee’s poor behavior with others around to hear it is going to needlessly hit their self-esteem and ruin their day. This is especially true because there may be personal reasons that the employee is having an off day. Calling them out in public forces them to either bury these feelings deeper, and grow resentment of you in the process, or to air their problems publicly.

      Even in private, you should show more compassion than simply talking down to the employee. When there is a problem, let the employee know that you are on their side and that you want to help address the problem.

      Take a Personal Interest in Your Employees

      Part of what makes work so dreary is that it takes you away from the things that you’d rather be doing. Your employees may have to leave their family and hobbies behind to come to work, but that doesn’t mean they have to forget about those things. By showing an interest in the things outside of work that motivate your employees, you allow them to bring a little bit of that into the workplace.

      This is a fairly small gesture but can go a long way in easing the discomfort people have about having to put those things aside and come to work instead. It allows them to showcase a part of their personality and their life that they normally have to forget about at work. This is especially true of employees that are more isolated from coworkers that they may otherwise have these types of conversations with.

      Spend Time with Employees Outside the Office

      This doesn’t mean that you need to become their best friend. However, spending time with your employees outside of the office occasionally helps them to see you as a leader that they’ll be glad to follow rather than just that person at work that bosses them around. This time outside the office can come in a variety of ways. It could be something as casual as inviting everyone out to coffee or drinks after work one day. Perhaps if that feels too informal for you, you can have a department picnic, party, or activity day. These are great opportunities to get to know your employees outside of work and double as great team-building exercises.

      Have an Open Door Policy

      We talked a bit about how personal problems may have an impact on an employee’s ability to do their job effectively. While addressing the performance issues that arise from those problems behind closed doors saves the self-esteem of the employee, it is also a bit late to find out about these problems. By letting your employees know that they can come to you with personal problems that may impact their job performance, you are giving yourself a heads up on issues that may arise, creating the opportunity to help the employee and avoid those problems arising in the first place, and building employee morale by letting them know that you care about the issues that are affecting them.

      Have Regular “One-On-Ones”

      Often, employees do not feel comfortable coming to their boss with problems that they may have at the workplace. This is most often because the boss does not create an environment where they feel welcome to do so. By regularly taking the time to pull your employees aside and give them the opportunity to express their concerns about issues, you are creating an environment where they do not feel the need to hold in their problems and let resentment build.

      Get Back to Them on Concerns

      This tip builds on the last one. When an employee comes to you with a problem, they are entrusting you to advocate on their behalf. Not every problem is something that you can help them with. In fact, not every concern will even be reasonable. Even in the worst-case scenario, the employee needs to know that you made an honest attempt to understand their point of view and to resolve the issue for them. This means that if you say that you will investigate something, you need to actually do so and then follow up with the employee. This way, even if you do not actually solve their problem, they know that they were heard and respected to raise employee morale.

      Learn More About Building Great Employee Morale 

      Zeriva analyzes networks and recommends hardware and maintenance solutions that boost performance and saves money and time. Contact us to see how we can help you and your company save time and money on your next IT project.

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      Next Project

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        Does It Matter Where You Sit During a Meeting? It Sure Does!

        Does It Matter Where You Sit During a Meeting? It Sure Does!

        IT employees are small in number, but their work has a significant impact on their organization. The decisions you and your team make during meetings will affect your entire company. You can control how much say you have at your staff gatherings by simply choosing the right seat in the room.

        First, you need to decide what you want your role to be at these meetings. Do you want to influence your boss, or do you want to go unnoticed? Are you looking to be vocal, or is your goal to gain standing without having to say much? You can decide to focus on one angle for all of your company meetings, or you can alternate roles from one meeting to the next.

        To play your cards right, you need to understand how the seating works and how choosing the right seat can have a positive effect on your boss’s attitude towards you:

        The Head of the Table

        The head of the table always belongs to the boss or whoever is leading the meeting. At times, your department head might decide to stand during a meeting or sit somewhere in the middle of the table. However, it’s still not a good idea to take the seat at the head. It will make you look like someone desperate for power, and your supervisor will subconsciously view it as a challenge to their authority.

        The Seat Next to Your Boss

        If you want to influence a meeting and have a say on major decisions, the best place to sit is right next to the head. When you’re within someone’s reach, they automatically notice and pay attention to you. Without being too vocal, they will take your opinions into consideration.

        However, this seat shouldn’t be taken too lightly either. If you mess up and say something your boss doesn’t like, that will have more meaning to your manager as well. If you choose to sit next to your boss, be sure to prepare for the responsibility that comes along with it.

        Should You Sit to the Left or the Right of Your Boss?

        Believe it or not, it makes a difference on which side of your supervisor you choose to sit. Joan Raymond, former teacher, principal, and superintendent, says, “One study found that teachers kind of ignore students who sit to their right, and students who sit to the left generally perform better and are called on more. The same holds true in business: Research shows more deals are made when you sit to the left of a potential client.”

        Before the meeting, think about how much of the team leader’s attention you want. If you’re looking for a lot of say, sit to the left of the head. If you want your opinion to count but don’t want to overdo it, choose the seat to their right.

        The Power Seat

        One of the choicest spots in the room is the seat where everyone who walks into the room makes eye contact with you. The position is different in every conference room – depending on the location of the door and where the table is situated. Once people notice you at the beginning of the meeting, you will automatically be on their mind, and when you speak up, there’s a better chance of them paying attention to what you have to say.

        Sitting Directly Opposite Your Boss

        The contrarian in the room usually sits directly across from the team leader. It’s a perfect spot for the person who doesn’t always agree with how the group operates and wants change. That doesn’t mean that you should never sit there, but it does mean that your manager will be looking directly at you for a large portion of the meeting.

        You should choose to sit at the other head of the table if you:

        • Feel that it’s a suitable time to speak up about some of your team’s methods and opinions
        • Have opposing views that you think your boss will be receptive to
        • Want to gain favor by taking the seat and being agreeable with what your manager has to say

        If you’re there to make your boss feel good, you will be noticed and will have an easy time accomplishing your goal. If you’re there in opposition, be prepared to support your positions because, in all likelihood, they will be taken seriously.

        Sitting in Middle of the Table

        If you want to coast through a meeting without being too involved, you’re best off choosing a seat somewhere in the middle. Some people sit in the middle because they’re having a rough day, and they don’t want to say much, while others sit there because they’re more or less happy with what’s going on in the company, and they trust their team’s decisions.

        The problem with the middle is that if you do decide that you want to be heard at some point, it won’t be easy. You will have to be vocal and express your thoughts clearly. Also, try to lean in, raise your hand, and make eye contact with your boss before you speak. Otherwise, whatever you say might end up being an afterthought in everyone’s mind.

        Choosing Who to Sit Next To

        Who you sit next to is almost as important as where you sit. Your supervisor and the others in the room will associate you with the people to your left and right. If you sit next to a rabble-rouser, it will have a negative impact on how others view you, and vice versa.

        The beauty of this concept is that you can, at times, gain standing with your team by association. If you come to a meeting and you’re not in the mood of participating, sit next to the person everyone respects most, and nod and smile when they speak their mind. The others will perceive you as the popular person’s sidekick and will respect you even if you’re pretty much quiet for the duration of the meeting.

        Learn More About Where You Should Sit During a Meeting

        Choosing the right seat might not seem like a big deal at first, but when you think about it, it could make a difference in your career and your colleagues’ perception of you. It’s worth it for you to analyze who attends your meetings, their personalities, where they usually sit, and how you can use the seating arrangement to your advantage.

        Check out our IT Help page at https://www.zeriva.com/it-tips/ for more useful tips and information for IT managers and professionals.

        Zeriva analyzes networks and recommends hardware and maintenance solutions that boost performance and saves money and time. Contact us to see how we can help you and your company save time and money on your next IT project.

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          Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd Overview

          Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd Overview

           

          The Dell PE R730 and R730xd is general purpose 2U, Dual Socket server platform.  Memory can be expanded up to 768GB.  This platform is intended for heavy workloads like those used in data warehouses, e-commerce, virtual desktop infrastructure, database applications and associated high performance computing applications.

          Highest Possible Performance Delivered by:

          –     The E5-2600 v3 Intel Xeon processor family

          –     DDR4 Memory

          –     Up to (16) 12Gb/s SAS Disk Drives

          –     Dual RAID

          –     Advanced Accelerators and GPU’s for heavy computing

          –     (7) PCI Express (PCIe) 3.0 expansion slots

          –     Management tools: iDRAC

          –     User control of power and cooling

          –     OpenManage for anytime mobile access

          –     NextGen PERC

          –     Hypervisor failover ensure uptime

          –     NextGen Flash Drives ready

          –     4 x 1GbE, 2 x 10+2GbE, 4 x 10GbE NDC Embedded NICs

          –     Up to 1100W Dual Power Supplies

          –     Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012R, Novell SUSE, Red Hat and VMware ESX compatible

          Supported Processors

          Model Speed Cache QPI Max memory speed Cores/ Threads Turbo TDP
          E5-2699 v3 2.3GHz 45M 9.6GT/s 2133 18/36 Turbo 145W
          E5-2698 v3 2.3GHz 40M 9.6GT/s 2133 16/32 Turbo 135W
          E5-2697 v3 2.6GHz 35M 9.6GT/s 2133 14/28 Turbo 145W
          E5-2695 v3 2.3GHz 35M 9.6GT/s 2133 14/28 Turbo 120W
          E5-2690 v3 2.6GHz 30M 9.6GT/s 2133 24-Dec Turbo 135W
          E5-2683 v3 2.0GHz 35M 9.6GT/s 2133 14/28 Turbo 120W
          E5-2680 v3 2.5GHz 30M 9.6GT/s 2133 24-Dec Turbo 120W
          E5-2670 v3 2.3GHz 30M 9.6GT/s 2133 24-Dec Turbo 120W
          E5-2660 v3 2.6GHz 25M 9.6GT/s 2133 20-Oct Turbo 105W
          E5-2650 v3 2.3GHz 25M 9.6GT/s 2133 20-Oct Turbo 105W
          E5-2640 v3 2.6GHz 20M 8.0GT/s 1866 16-Aug Turbo 90W
          E5-2630 v3 2.4GHz 20M 8.0GT/s 1866 16-Aug Turbo 85W
          E5-2620 v3 2.4GHz 15M 8.0GT/s 1866 12-Jun Turbo 85W
          E5-2609 v3 1.9GHz 15M 4.0GT/s 1600 6-Jun NA 85W
          E5-2603 v3 1.6GHz 15M 4.0GT/s 1600 6-Jun NA 85W
          E5-2687W v3* 3.1GHz 25M 9.6GT/s 1866 20-Oct Turbo 160W
          E5-2650L v3 1.8GHz 30M 9.6GT/s 2133 24-Dec Turbo 65W
          E5-2630L v3 1.8GHz 20M 8.0GT/s 1866 16-Aug Turbo 55W
          E5-2667 v3 3.2GHz 20M 9.6GT/s 2133 16-Aug Turbo 135W
          E5-2643 v3 3.4GHz 20M 9.6GT/s 2133 12-Jun Turbo 135W
          E5-2637 v3 3.5GHz 15M 9.6GT/s 2133 8-Apr Turbo 135W
          E5-2623 v3 3.0GHz 10M 8.0GT/s 1866 8-Apr Turbo 105W

           

           

          Memory DIMMs Supported

          DIMM capacity DIMM speed DIMM type Ranks per DIMM Data width SDDC support Voltage
          4 2133 RDIMM 1 x 8 Advanced ECC 1.2
          8 2133 RDIMM 2 x 8 Advanced ECC 1.2
          16 2133 RDIMM 2 x 4 All modes 1.2
          32 2133 LRDIMM 4 x 4 All modes 1.2

          Populations and Operating Frequencies

           

          Type Populated per Channel Freq (MT/S) Max Ranks per Chan
          RDIMM 1 2133,1866,1600, 1333 Dual or Single
          2 2133,1866,1600, 1333 Dual or Single
          3 1866,1600,1333 Dual or Single
          LRDIMM 1 2133,1866,1600, 1333 Quad
          2 2133,1866,1600, 1333 Quad
          3 1866,1600,1333 Quad

          Memory DIMM Population Notes

          –     DIMM speeds can be mixed with the understanding that all processors will operate at the slowest DIMM’s common frequency

          –     Only one DIMM type is allowed per system: RDIMM or LRDIMM

          –     x4 and x8 data widths can be mixed

          –     DIMMs with different capacities can be mixed

          o   Largest capacity DIMM must be placed first

          o   Max of two different capacity DIMMs is allowed per system

          Supported GPU’s

          Intel Xeon Phi™ 5110P coprocessor

          Intel Xeon Phi 7120P coprocessor

          Intel Xeon Phi 3120P coprocessor

          NVIDIA K40

          NVIDIA M20

          NVIDIA K10

          NVIDIA GRID™ K1

          NVIDIA GRID K2

          AMD S7000 FirePro

          AMD S9050 FirePro

          Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to save time and money on the server hardware you need.

          *Information summarized from the Dell R730 and R730xd Technical Guide.  Zeriva is an independent reseller of IT Hardware and is not affiliated with Dell in any wa

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            Cisco 3850 Family of Switches Overview

            Cisco 3850 Family of Switches Overview

             

            The Cisco 3850 family consists of a variety of Ethernet switches that can connect to Phones, Wireless Access Points, end user computer and workstations and devices on your network like other switches, routers and servers.

            Nine 3850 switches can be stacked together and operated as a single switch with 480Gbps of bandwidth.  Optional shared power within the stack provides for maximum redundancy in the event of a power supply failure.

            Key Features:

            • Integrated wireless controller capability with:

            o    Up to 40G of wireless capacity per switch (48-port RJ45 models)

            o    Support for up to 100 access points and 2000 wireless clients on each switching entity (switch or stack)

            • 24 and 48 10/100/1000Mbps data PoE+ and Cisco UPOE models with Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
            • 24 and 48 100Mbps/1/2.5/5/10 Gbps Cisco UPOE models with Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
            • 12- and 24-port 1 Gigabit Ethernet SFP-based models
            • 12- and 24-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+-based models
            • 48-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ model with 4 fixed 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ uplinks
            • Cisco StackWise-480 technology provides scalability and resiliency with 480 Gbps of stack throughput
            • Cisco StackPower® technology provides power stacking among stack members for power redundancy1
            • Five optional uplink modules with 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet4, or 2 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ports
            • Dual redundant, modular power supplies and three modular fans providing redundancy
            • Full IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) with 30W power on all copper ports in 1 Rack Unit (RU) form factor
            • Cisco UPOE with 60W power per port in 1 Rack Unit (RU) form factor
            • IEEE 802.3bz (2.5/5 G/s BASE-T) to go beyond 1 Gb/s with existing Cat5e and Cat6
            • IEEE 802.1ba AV Bridging (AVB) built-in to provide better AV experience for including improved time synchronization and QoS
            • Software support for IPv4 and IPv6 routing, multicast routing, modular Quality of Service (QoS), Flexible NetFlow (FNF), and enhanced security features
            • Support for AES-256 with the powerful MACSEC 256-bit for SFP+ and Multigigabit models and 128-bit encryption algorithm available on all models

            Additional Features:

            –     Virtualization, automation and critical analytics to provide information for ever changing business demands.

            –     Supports full IEEE 802.3at Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), Cisco Universal Power Over Ethernet (Cisco UPOE®), modular and field-replaceable network modules which allows you to upgrade uplink bandwidth as your needs grow, RJ-45 and fiber-based downlink interfaces, and redundant fans and power supplies that help ensure maximum uptime.

            –     Single software image for both wired and wireless applications

            –     Up to 40Gb/s of wireless throughput per 48 port switch scaling up as switches are added to the stack

            Options:

            Network modules for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series

             

            C3850-NM-4-1G 4 x Gigabit Ethernet network module spare
            C3850-NM-2-10G 4 x Gigabit Ethernet/2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network module spare
            C3850-NM-4-10G 4 x Gigabit Ethernet/4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network module spare
            C3850-NM-8-10G 8 x Gigabit Ethernet/8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network module spare
            C3850-NM-2-40G 2 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet network module spare
            Power supplies for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series
            PWR-C1-350WAC 350WAC power supply spare
            PWR-C1-715WAC 715WAC power supply spare
            PWR-C1-1100WAC 1100WAC power supply spare
            PWR-C1-440WDC 440WDC power supply spare
            PWR-C3-750WAC-R 750WAC power supply spare front-to-back airflow for 48XS
            PWR-C3-750WAC-F 750WAC power supply spare back-to-front airflow for 48XS
            PWR-C3-750WDC-R 750WDC power supply spare front-to-back airflow for 48XS

            Zeriva always supplies all Rack Kits, Stack, Power Stack, Console and Power Cables on all switches ordered.

            Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to save time and money on the networking hardware you need.

            *Information summarized from the Cisco 3850 Datasheet and 3850 Switch Hardware Installation Guide.  Zeriva is an independent reseller of IT Hardware and is not affiliated with Cisco systems in any way.

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              10 Ways to Reward Your IT Employees When Raises Aren’t an Option

              IT departments are the lifeblood of the companies and organization that employ them. In today’s environment, when a business’s technology isn’t managed and maintained correctly, it has a significant impact on their ability to operate.

              If you manage an IT department, you understand the importance of showing your employees that you appreciate their work. It gives them the motivation to maintain high-performance levels. Unfortunately, it’s not always within your power to give your staff members an increase in salary. Sometimes because the budget doesn’t allow it, and others because IT departments are relatively small and tend to fly under upper management’s radar.

              Alternative Motivation Methods

              As a manager, it’s your job to improvise under such circumstances. As the head of a group of IT workers, who play such an important role in your company, it’s up to you to make sure that they feel good about what they’re doing. The following are ten forms of motivation you can use to keep your performing employees motivated when raises aren’t an option:

              1. Flexible Hours

              More than ever, people are concerned with their family and personal lives. Give your personnel the option to choose which hours they work. The flexibility will give them the ability to juggle the other aspects of their daily routine that are meaningful to them.

              1. Work from Home

              You can allow staff to spend at least some of their week working from home. It doesn’t even have to be full days. In many cases, allowing them to work at home and come to work late or to leave early, will help them avoid traffic, which could be a big deal for them depending on where they live.

              1. Recognition

              Money isn’t everything. Your employees are human and have feelings. Showing appreciation through recognition means a lot to them. While there are many ways of recognizing exemplary performance publicly, the following are some of the more popular methods that companies use:

              • Create an employee of the month program. The winner can get a placard for their car, a plaque on the wall, or a dedicated spot in the parking lot.
              • Even without a system in place, you can give an honorable mention to all employees who perform above a point that you consider average.
              • Host a lunch for your department only and thank them for their hard work. You can do it at the company cafeteria, or if there’s room in your budget, you can take them out to eat.

              These are methods you can use to take care of an individual, a group, or your department as a whole.

              1. Promotions

              Even without an increase in pay, giving someone a new title makes them feel important and appreciated. You can create several titles within the same pay scale, or you can add the word “senior” or other words that indicate advancement to their current title.

              1. Additional Paid Time Off

              It’s relatively common for companies to reward hard work with extra off days. It encourages workers to continue to do a good job for you. It also allow them to relax and take care of themselves. Employees can get caught up in their work to the point where they stress themselves out, which hurts their performance. Giving them some “me time” will help them function better when they get back to their work.

              1. Visibility With Executives

              Bring staff members who you feel can use a boost in morale to executive meetings. Introduce them to the heads of your company and say a few words about them and what a great job they’re doing so the others in the room could applaud. You can do this with an individual employee, or you can bring in several at a time.

              1. Employee Road Map

              Create a metric system that rewards personnel based on their performance. Show it to your employees so they understand where their hard work will get them. The reward could be as simple as an honorable mention, which will create competition among your staff, or you could reward them financially. Either way, they’ll know that their performance and hard work will pay off.

              1. Perks

              You can offer your workers free membership to airline clubs, the local gym, or to any other associations that they would appreciate. Find out what piques their interest and invest some time into researching organizations that they might enjoy. The cost is minimal compared to the appreciation they will feel. It also gives them bragging rights and a sense of pride for the company. People like to show off their company perks to their friends and family.

              1. Stipends and Allowances

              There are several reasons why companies don’t give their employees a raise:

              • They can’t afford to
              • Have some funds to allocate towards raises, but not a significant amount, and they feel like their staff won’t appreciate if they offer so little.
              • Have the money, but they don’t know if they’ll be able to sustain the salary increases in the future.

              Instead of a raise, you can offer a yearly bonus. Be clear that there’s no guarantee that there will be future bonuses. Alternatively, you could offer allowances or stipend. Telling an employee that their getting a $600 raise might make you look cheap. Offering them a $50 a month transportation stipend or cell phone allowance makes you look generous.

              1. Simple Acknowledgement

              Always remember that you don’t have to do anything creative to reward your employees for their work. Smile at them when you see them and tell them how much you appreciate what they’re doing for you. Talk is cheap, but it’s also very effective.

              Find More Ways to Reward Your IT Employees

              As a department head or a manager, part of your job is to get creative when there’s a deficiency. If there isn’t enough money in your budget to give your employees a raise, remember that there are other ways to reward them. However you do it, they will see that you appreciate them and they’ll be happier to produce for you.

              For more ideas on saving time and money in your IT department, read more here.

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                  Zeriva Pre-Owned IT Hardware

                  Zeriva Pre-Owned IT Hardware

                  Fortune 500 IT Solutions without the Fortune 500 Budget

                  Cisco Buyers Guide

                   

                  1. Can I buy used Cisco hardware?

                  Used Cisco hardware is available through a variety of channels.  High demand for these products is thanks in part to a tremendous product expansion and overall Cisco reputation.  This growth has resulted in a nearly $12 billion 5 secondary market for Cisco. The secondary market provides thousands of sellers of used equipment and connection with customers of all types.

                   

                  1. Who, what, where, when and why of pre-owned Cisco equipment:

                   

                  1. Who provides used Cisco equipment?
                    1. Independent Cisco resellers (Secondary Market)
                      Independent Cisco resellers typically offer a broad selection of Cisco products. They obtain used and new-surplus/surplus equipment from other sources. The breadth and depth of their inventories typically exceed current product availability through Cisco; and prices are usually very competitive and often well below new prices (potentially up to 90% off list pricing). A quality reseller maintains an extensive testing and refurbishment process (link to refurb process) that is backed by a warranty. Warranties may range from a product lifetime to only a span of 90 days. Alternatively, there are third party maintenance options that can provide both software and hardware support at discounts ranging from 30-50% less compared to SMARTnet.
                    2. User-to-user Cisco resellers
                      Companies (buyers) source used Cisco equipment directly from other users. These resellers are typically end users who sell products through auction sites like eBay.  Due to exponential growth and demand, there is a large volume of Cisco equipment for sale on these auction sites which provokes the old adage: buyer-beware. While price points can be enticing, there are risks due to unpredictable pricing, threat of sub-standard devices, no testing procedures, and lack of warranties and/or poor packaging. It is recommended that buyers research the product(s) and seller before making a transaction. It is wise not to rely solely on a seller’s rating, but it may provide legitimate feedback from the experiences of other buyers.
                  • Cisco Authorized Value Added Resellers (VARs).

                  VARs are authorized Cisco partners, and generally sell new hardware through Cisco’s distribution channels. They also have access to Cisco’s Certified Refurbished product line. This refurbished equipment is certified, and is “relicensed” by Cisco. SMARTnet maintenance is also available through the same authorized channels. There are two disadvantages that the VARs face when selling the Certified Refurbished product:  (1) availability is confined to distribution stock, and (2) the expected savings of a refurbished purchase may be nominal compared to what the potential buyer may find on the secondary market.

                   

                  1. What is pre-owned hardware?

                  Pre-owned Cisco, or Pre-owned IT hardware for that matter, is hardware originally purchased by an end-user and resold to another party. The vast majority of this hardware is purchased new. There are a few industry standards to classify the condition of the hardware that is being sold. These standards can include:

                  • Used: This is hardware that has been pulled from a working environment. The best description is the hardware you are currently using.
                  • Refurbished: This is hardware that has been taken from a used stasis and tested, cleaned, completed and repainted. The end product you will find from a quality reseller.
                  • New Pull: Hardware that has never been used but is not in the original package.
                  • Factory Sealed or New in Box: New hardware that has never been opened. It’s in the same condition as if it shipped direct from Cisco.
                  • New Open Box: This describes hardware that is in its original packaging. The serial number of the machine must match the label on the box, it has all the accessories and it’s never been used. Often times a reseller will power on test the machine to insure that it is in proper working condition
                  • Certified Refurbished: This is the “re-man” brand from Cisco that we covered above.
                  • Gray Market: Ah, the ambiguous “gray market”. We’ll discuss this OEM FUD favorite a little bit later.

                   

                  1. Where does it come from and is it safe to buy?

                  Pre-owned equipment typically comes from several sources:

                  • Lease Returns: Leasing of network equipment is big business. Because of this a large number of Cisco equipment hits the secondary market once its lease term matures. Most lease terms range from one to three years, the equipment is usually still current and in high demand with corporate IT departments. Reputable resellers partner with leasing companies and purchase it directly from them when it comes off lease.
                  • Internal IT Refreshes: When manufacturers declare equipment end-of-life, end-of-service, or retired, many customers upgrade or replace hardware – even if the existing devices have many years of useful service remaining. Secondary market providers acquire the equipment and refurbish it to like-new condition, passing the value on to customers looking for used equipment that performs like new but costs significantly less.
                  • OEM Trade-In Programs: The OEM often uses a trade in program to offer discounts on new hardware to customers. This hardware can be redistributed to the secondary market due to the OEM offering an inadequate ROI or the OEM reselling the hardware to the secondary market.
                  • Manufacturing Overruns/Stock Rotations: Products that have never been used and are still in their original packaging. Independent resellers purchase excess inventories of equipment in bulk from distributors, corporate users and government organizations.
                  • Bankruptcies/ Corporate Liquidations: Large quantities of Cisco products enter the secondary market at tremendous discounts as the result of mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies and corporate liquidations.
                  • Canceled Orders: Equipment that was previously sold to a customer that couldn’t be returned.
                  • Customers Like You: Much used equipment reaches the secondary market from customers like you who upgrade to new equipment or de-install network gear that no longer meets their needs.

                   

                  1. How long does it take for new Cisco technology to reach the secondary market?

                  A large percentage of hardware that reaches the secondary market is generated by end of lease terms. The typical lease cycle is 2-3 years, but it is not uncommon to see a new Cisco product available on the secondary market within a few months after initial launch. This potentially could provide a budget break to IT Departments who properly leverage the secondary market. The secondary market is stocked with current and recent generation hardware, but especially so during a slow economic climate due to mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, and liquidations.  Another reason equipment makes it to the secondary market is because of purchasing errors.

                   

                   Why buy pre-owned?

                  In today’s economy and given the inherent longevity and reliability of Cisco equipment, the question isn’t why buy pre-owned, but why not? When you purchase used Cisco equipment from a trusted and reliable used hardware reseller, you gain key benefits:

                   

                  • Cost savings: Depending on the generation of the hardware, savings can range from 50-90% off the Cisco list price.
                  • Availability (parts and equipment): Maintaining your network no matter how new or antiquated is crucial to the entire enterprise. The availability of the secondary market is a major ally when a hardware or network component goes down; the impact on the entire enterprise is immediate and can adversely affect business and productivity. Some businesses still operate 5500 series chassis which were introduced in the Clinton administration! Resellers have a vast array of hardware and components available to them.
                  • Speed of delivery: Rapid access to replacements from a reliable used-equipment vendor that can ship overnight or provide service within a couple of hour’s gets you back up and running in no time.
                  • In House Spares: Often times having a spare on a storage shelf is a better cost alternative to a Cisco SMARTnet contract or even a 3rd party maintenance contract.
                  • Quality: A reseller that provides rigorous testing detailed refurbishing and extended warranties can argue that they are providing a more quality product than that of a new unopened machine. These refurbished products have already been in the trenches and proven their dependability in a live network setting. One could make the argument that their technicians have more real world experience with the hardware than the theoretical practices of the OEM.
                  • More Options: Most used equipment resellers offer both current and previous-generation hardware as options for the same project
                  • Proven Reliability:
                  • Better Fit: Newer doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes, proven equipment is a better choice for your business and your application. What’s more when new releases come to market, you may not need the new features. Why pay for them if you don’t need them?
                  • Compatibility: Replacing an existing network component with the same model means there are no questions about compatibility – you already know it will work with the systems you have in place.
                  • Minimal depreciation exposure: Just as it makes sense to purchase a quality used car (and let someone else take the depreciation hit), purchasing quality used network gear can minimize your exposure to depreciation.
                  • Better warranty: While it may seem counterintuitive, you can often get a better warranty through a reputable independent reseller than you can through the OEM
                  • Improved customer experience: Likewise, you’ll often get better, faster and more personal customer service from a leading independent reseller than from the OEM
                  1. Is it safe to buy pre-owned equipment?

                  Given current economic conditions, demand for pre-owned equipment is rapidly growing as network administrators look to reduce overall IT costs. The secondary hardware market brings together thousands of different types of resellers and buying organizations. Buyers include small, midsize and large businesses, Internet Service Providers, telecommunications and utility companies, non-profits, local, State and US government organizations, military institutions, higher education, schools, and any organization whose network administrators are looking to reduce network costs.

                  Used equipment provides a viable alternative to new – if you buy from an established vendor with a proven track record. In many cases, resellers offer better after-sale support and more robust warranties than manufacturers or authorized resellers.

                   

                  1. Used Equipment: Separating Myth from Reality.

                  Misperceptions about used network gear and the secondary market abound. Here are some of the myths about the secondary hardware market – and the reality.

                  The myth: before buying, many customers were told that used/pre-owned equipment is:

                   

                  • Broken
                  • Obsolete
                  • Unreliable
                  • Abused equipment
                  • Sold by the previous owner because it didn’t work
                  • Stolen
                  • Counterfeit
                  • Gray market equipment
                  • Not intended for the US market
                  • Not eligible for SMARTnet® support
                  • Not maintainable
                  • Not covered by technical support/TAC support
                  • Without a warranty

                  The reality: most reputable resellers only sell used equipment that’s in good condition, refurbished to like-new condition, backed by a warranty and rigorously screened for authenticity.

                  In many cases, the leading independent resellers’ testing procedures for detecting counterfeit goods are more rigorous than OEMs, VARs or distributors. Most secondary marketers put products through extensive testing to ensure performance and authenticity. They also work with anti-counterfeiting organizations to keep counterfeit equipment out of the secondary market. They work diligently with Federal organizations like the FBI and ICE, a division of Homeland Security, to report stolen equipment. Zeriva uses an extensive testing platform that is 90% automated and computer controlled to ensure consistency.


                  As for warranties, most secondary market suppliers offer warranties that are either longer or more robust than those offered by manufacturers or authorized distributors/resellers. Some offer lifetime warranties which can include the repair or replacement of hardware within days instead of the typical weeks or months that OEMs offer. Zeriva offers a Lifetime Warranty that is called the Forever Warranty.  We will provide coverage for you for as long as you want to keep the equipment in service.

                  Finally, most reputable resellers offer extensive support performed by highly trained technicians who work with used equipment every day. Pre- and post-sale support encompasses maintenance, repair and even software support.

                  Again, the caveat – if you’re going to buy used equipment, make sure you work with a reseller with solid credentials, a proven track record and a long-standing reputation for reliability, financial stability and quality.

                   

                  1. What is the difference between used Cisco equipment and gray market equipment? What is the gray market?

                  Gray market products are legitimate products that are sold outside the designated sales channel . It is not counterfeit equipment. OEM’s have tried to marry the terms Gray Market and the secondary market to cause confusion and doubt with end-users. That could not be further from the truth. Used equipment is simply hardware that has been repurposed.

                   

                  1. Why is there a gray market?

                  Primarily, gray market equipment exists due to a lack of control by the OEM over their distribution channels.  There are a variety of ways that they reach the secondary market:

                    • Distribution overstocks – Manufacturers have too many products to sell within a short amount of time and can’t sell their entire inventory.
                    • Canceled orders – The order is placed and then canceled and product enters the secondary market.
                    • Geographical price differences – Hardware intended for one region may be sold in another region where the manufacturer may charge a higher price.
                    • Canceled projects – The end user buys and pays for gear but doesn’t use it.
                    • Bankruptcies – When companies declare bankruptcies and must liquidate, new or un-used equipment may enter the secondary market.
                    • Sales promotions – Regions or distributors run promotions to move stock, often times sales reps will sell the equipment in the secondary market
                  1. I’m concerned about counterfeit products – How do I make sure the hardware I buy is authentic?

                   

                  Counterfeiting is becoming a growing challenge as more OEMs move their manufacturing overseas.  All manufacturers are dealing with the challenge of counterfeiting, including luxury goods, clothing, small electronics, etc. While most resellers are legitimate, reputable and have strict anti-counterfeiting policies, others are not. AGMA estimates that counterfeit products account for some 10 percent of the overall IT hardware market. Fortunately, heightened awareness and better access to information are having an impact as organizations join together to ensure the integrity of the secondary market. Keep these tips in mind when shopping for used gear:

                    • Only buy from reputable resellers who are members in good standing with anti-counterfeiting and trade associations and have proven track records.
                    • If it’s too good to be true it probably is. New equipment at exceptional discounts should raise a red flag. A discount of 50-90% is standard for pre-owned equipment but not for new equipment
                    • Buyers should be extremely cautious about buying networking equipment on eBay as it is very difficult to determine its origin.
                  1. How do I know if a piece of used Cisco hardware is counterfeit?

                  While visual inspection isn’t always an option – and it’s important to work with a credible source – look for these indicators that a product may be counterfeit:

                  • Screws: Shiny with imprecise lines and a sandcast appearance.
                  • Welding: Inconsistent, messy.
                  • Serial Number Sticker: Sloppy letter spacing, serif typeface (instead of sans-serif), bar codes are not flush with the sticker edge.
                  • RJ45 Connectors: Flush instead of finely extruded connectors with two (rather than multiple) metal attachments.
                  • Board Points: The points on the main board are copper rather than silver.
                  • Packaging: Inconsistent type, no seal identifying weight, low-resolution printing.
                  1. Holograms: Missing holograms may be an indicator on newer cards. Especially if the card includes copper solder points, no embedded numbers or a red LED holder

                  How much can I expect to save by purchasing used equipment?

                  Typical savings are:

                  • 50-90% off OEM list price for refurbished equipment
                  • 40-60% off OEM list price for new/factory-sealed/unused/new surplus equipment

                   

                  Pricing in the secondary market is ruled by the principles of supply and demand. There are situations where pricing for a particular product could see a short term spike. In 2009, after Cisco had drastically scaled back production schedules, the ASA5500 firewall routers saw a large increase in price due to the high demand and limited supply. The shortage lasted around 3-4 months.

                  1. What types of organizations purchase used Cisco equipment?

                  Used IT hardware has been a booming business since the late 1960s.  Today, the secondary Cisco market is estimated at $12 billion 5 worldwide, serving organizations across the spectrum:

                  Fortune 500 companies

                  • Small and mid-size businesses (SMBs)
                  • Government organizations
                  • Telecom and utilities
                  • Universities
                  • K-12 school systems
                  • Non-profits
                  1. Isn’t new equipment better than used?

                  Depending on the type of equipment you need for your network, the newest hardware may not suit your current infrastructure. In some cases, pre-owned equipment may actually be better suited to your needs by standardizing your current networking environment and reducing your costs.

                  Benefits of purchasing used equipment from a reputable reseller include:

                  • Quality control programs, maintenance programs and warranties mitigate risk.
                  • Warranties are often longer and more comprehensive.
                  • Proven compatibility with existing parts/components.
                  • Used hardware has a superior functionality-to-price ratio.
                  • Used hardware is proven and tested.
                  • Reputable resellers offer established technical skills.
                  1. Why does my Cisco representative discourage me from buying used equipment?

                  Simply Put: Greed. There is the short term fear of losing commission and revenue but more importantly the long term fear of losing repeat business to a secondary supplier. Any sales rep worth his salt, regardless of industry, will disparage sales from another competitor. The fear of losing future business to a pre-owned hardware supplier is a legitimate one. Especially when your sales strategy has been centered on the concept of regular refreshes. Is it not funny that the features he/she was selling you on eighteen months prior are now no longer relevant? They discourage you because ultimately, they fear you will see the value in implementing a secondary market buying strategy to replace or supplement new hardware purchases.

                  1. When is the best time to buy?

                  There’s never been a better time to buy used/refurbished equipment. According to a 2006 study, the used hardware market for all IT products was over $300 Billion 5 Worldwide. Inventory is at an all-time high because of the current economic environment. If you’re looking to reduce core networking costs and divert capital to other aspects of your IT infrastructure or business, used networking equipment is an effective strategy.

                  1. What qualities should I look for in a reseller?
                    Reputable resellers share certain characteristics and credentials. Look for:
                  • A good reputation and proven track record. Companies that have been in business for a significant period of time
                  • A defined quality process for both the testing and refurbishing of hardware.
                  • A detailed warranty that guarantees their products.
                  • A defined anti-counterfeit position and process for identifying it.
                  • Required accreditations and certifications.
                  • Membership in good standing with trade associations.
                  • References and customer list.
                  1. What do the experts think of the secondary market?

                  Many OEMs actively create obstacles for buyers of used equipment due to the rapid rise in demand and the emergence of thousands of resellers.  Here are some expert assessments of the secondary market:

                   

                  “Providers of secondary network equipment answer a market need for quality products at reduced costs. Network managers increasingly understand the viability of having an alternate procurement channel. The secondary equipment market is also providing a strong challenge to OEM maintenance and support in terms of quality and cost.”
                  Eric Goodness, research vice president, Gartner Inc. 1

                  “Put the secondary-market gear in operation when you have a problem,” says David Willis, chief of research at Gartner…”Same-day service costs about 20 percent more than next-day, so this strategy could cut your maintenance costs…”
                  Gartner, April 2, 2007    2

                  “Who’s buying used gear? Better to ask who isn’t. The customers of secondhand equipment range from small businesses operating on tight margins to Fortune 500 companies and global telcos.”                                                                                     InformationWeek, July 7, 2007   3

                   “It’s a big deal for Cisco since probably 20 percent of their overall revenue comes from SMARTnet, and support and maintenance.” Resales are “totally legitimate, totally legal. Cisco hates it but there’s nothing they can do about it.”
                  Mark Tauscheck, senior research analyst, Info-Tech itbusiness.ca, May 29, 2007  4

                  1. What is the difference between certified pre-owned, Cisco authorized refurbished, clean serial number, new in box, new open box, refurbished and used equipment?

                  According to the UNEDA [link here] Code of Ethics:

                  Certified Pre-Owned:  Sold directly by Cisco or a Cisco-authorized VAR.

                  -Cisco Authorized Refurbished:  Equipment restored to Cisco CARP standards.

                  -Clean Serial Number:  The serial numbers does not appear under a Cisco SMARTnet contract.

                  -New in Box (NIB):  Product is in same condition as if it came directly from Cisco.

                  -New Open Box (NOB):    The box has been opened and the product is nearly the same as a new in box product.  Sellers should indicate if the inner static bag has been opened to test.  All accessories and packaging are in the package (like if purchased new).

                  -Refurbished:  Equipment has been restored to good cosmetic and working condition.

                  -Used:  Equipment has been removed from a working environment and resold (e.g. directly to a user site).  The product is operational; however, it comes with no guarantees in terms of cosmetic condition.

                  1. What is the difference between a maintenance contract and a warranty?

                  The difference between a maintenance contract and a warranty are:

                  A warranty describes the conditions under, and period during, which the producer or vendor will repair, replace, or otherwise compensate for, the defective item without cost to the buyer or user. Often it also delineates the rights and obligations of both parties in case of a claim or dispute.

                  A maintenance contract on the other hand goes the extra mile.   The primary difference between a maintenance contract and a warranty is the Service Level Agreement (SLA).  A maintenance contract is a predefined commitment to perform a service event within a certain time period.  In the networking environment there are two primary SLAs that are offered, 8×5 Next Business Day (NBD) and 24 Hour by 7 Day by 4 Hour response after problem determination. Maintenance contracts offer varying levels of advanced hardware replacement options from 8×5 NBD to a 4-hour onsite spares.  The options are all available 24×7, where our warranty is limited to 8×5.  If there is a component in the networking environment that goes down, and it is critical to the environment it will require rapid hardware replacement no matter what time of the day or what day of the week, that’s what a maintenance contract offers.

                  A Warranty is going to ensure that the equipment that you buy from us is always backed, and after verifying that the hardware has failed a replacement will be sent, but if the hardware is critical to the operation of the network environment, a maintenance contract can ensure that you have expert assistance immediately.

                  1. Are service and support options available if I purchase pre-owned products?

                  A variety of services and support are available on pre-owned products.  Historically, OEMs deliberately made it difficult to purchase pre-owned equipment by not honoring software upgrades for products bought without maintenance contracts.

                  To counter this deterrent, many secondary market sellers oblige with comparable, and sometimes discounted services.  Options may include asset management, installation/de-installation, maintenance contracts, network monitoring, on-site consulting, pay-as-you-go support and return material authorization (RMA) programs, technical support and warranty programs.

                  • Asset Recovery
                  • Installation
                  • Technical Support
                  • Maintenance contracts: Pre-paid, hourly time blocks with a variety of SLAs including phone and email support, next day hardware replacements and conceivable variants such as:
                    • 8 x 5 x next business day
                    • 24 x 7 x 4
                    • Spares Program
                    • Custom support
                  • Rentals
                  • Configuration Support
                  1. Do independent resellers offer return policies?

                  If a purchase is contingent on a company’s return policy, it is best to research the reputation of the seller, determine whether the seller has an established return policy and if so, familiarize yourself with the stated policy.  In many cases, reliable resellers usually offer a return policy that covers hardware failures or malfunctions upon receipt.  It is wise to determine whether the provider has established processes for detecting and troubleshooting faulty products, offers flexible shipping options and, if necessary, the form of reimbursement (e.g.  Refund as original payment).

                  1. What warranty options are available for used equipment?

                  Depending on the vendor the warranty can range from 30 days to Lifetime*. 

                  *Lifetime – the actual terms of a lifetime warranty by provider. Typical definitions include:

                  • One year advanced replacement
                  • Five-year non-advanced replacement warranty
                  • Warranty extends until the product is deemed EOL/EOS by Cisco
                  • True lifetime warranty
                  1. Do Cisco secondary market resellers offer installation services?

                  Some secondary market resellers do offer installation (and de-installation) services.  Typically, top tier resellers offer installation.

                  1. What forms of payment do secondary market resellers accept?

                  Most resellers accept several different payment options.

                  • Automated Clearing House (ACH)
                  • Pre-Payment via: Company Checks, Cashier’s Checks or Wire Transfers
                  • Credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA)
                  • Credit terms for qualified buyers.
                  • PayPal secure payments.

                  1 Sue Hetzel, United Network Equipment Dealer Association Announces Results of First Annual Survey Revealing Aggressive Growth in the Market for Pre-Owned Networking Gear, BusinessWire, July 11, 2007

                  2 Phil Hochmuth, Cisco takes on ‘grey market’ equipment sales, Network World, April 26th 2007.

                  3 Andrew Conry Murray, Used Tech Gear: Notes From The Underground, Information Week,  July 7th, 2007.

                  4 Jeff Jedras, Cisco still trying to defend its aftermarket turf, itbusiness,ca, May 29th, 2007

                  5  Trends in Secondary Computer Hardware 2006 to 2009, AME Research BV, 2006.

                   

                  For more ideas on saving time and money in your IT department, visit Zeriva’s IT tips.

                   

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                    6 Ways Great IT leaders Get Over Their Mistakes

                    6 Ways Great IT leaders Get Over Their Mistakes

                    Employee working with headset in office callcenter

                    It’s Tuesday afternoon. Since yesterday, your suspicion has grown into a certainty. You’re dealing with a major mess. People are complaining about a serious problem in IT. They can’t get work done. Your staff tells you they know about the situation, but they don’t have any way to fix it. Another suspicion is rapidly growing in your mind: you screwed up. You have to fix some bad decisions. You’re thinking that everyone is going to blame you, and your career is in ruins.

                    Don’t despair. If you handle the crisis properly, you can not only avoid damage but end up in better shape than ever. There’s no such thing as a manager who never messes up, but managers who deal well with their mistakes are a valuable asset. Follow this six-step plan, and you’ll earn a net gain in trust.

                    1. Own Your Mistakes Completely

                    When things are going wrong, your natural impulse is to think of ways it was someone else’s fault. No doubt other people could have done things better, but shifting the blame won’t fix the problem. Even if your mistake was only half the problem, don’t half admit it. Just admit it.

                    To avoid the blame-shifting impulse, imagine yourself as a higher-level manager with psychic powers, who knows everything that happened and is completely fair. Think of how that manager would assess the situation. Would someone in that situation say you contributed to the problem? Then admit it. Don’t hedge and evade.

                    How will people react to your admission? You might be pleasantly surprised. Admitting openly to mistakes is so rare that they won’t know what to do with the pile of anger they were ready to unleash. They’ll be relieved that you aren’t looking for a scapegoat. They’ll think that you might be prepared to approach the problem constructively.

                    Which, of course, you are.

                    1. Guide Others Using Your Own Failures

                    “Oh, no! Not another learning experience!” Failure is a learning tool, but people hate to learn from their failures. Admitting a mistake lets employees and colleagues learn from your failures. They may have followed your advice too well. They may have misunderstood it. You may all have had the same blind spot.

                    Talk with the other people about what went wrong and why. Now that you’ve admitted your error, you don’t have to dwell on it. Deal objectively with what went wrong, and suggest or ask for ways to avoid repeating the mistake. Maybe communication was poor. A different process might have avoided the mess.

                    The discussion should give everyone involved a better understanding of the problem. If a similar situation arises again, they’ll know how to handle it so it doesn’t become a major problem.

                    1. Learn From Your Mistakes

                    Naturally, your mistakes are a learning tool for you, too. “Learn from mistakes” is easy to say, but how do you do it? Once again, stepping back and looking at the issue objectively is a huge help. Put it in terms of three key questions:

                    • What was I trying to do?
                    • What action did I take to make it happen?
                    • How did the results not match my expectations?

                    The problem could have come in at any of these steps. Maybe what you were attempting didn’t make sense. Maybe you chose the wrong way to do it. Or maybe things went off course and you didn’t catch the problem.

                    Think of a decision as simple as getting to a place and the ways it can go wrong. The trip might be a bad idea. You might take the wrong road. You might need to detour because of construction and get hopelessly lost. Identifying the mistake gets you most of the way toward identifying the fix.

                    1. Tell Them How You Plan to Fix the Problem

                    If you’ve reached this point, you’ve made great progress. You’ve admitted the mistake and not been killed for it. You’ve identified what went wrong and talked with key people about how to avoid it in the future. Now it’s time to get down to specific actions to fix it.

                    Don’t be afraid to ask, “How can we get out of this mess?” We usually make mistakes in areas where we aren’t strongest, and someone else may have a better insight into the solution. At the same time, fixing your mistake is your responsibility. Whatever input you get, you have to decide on the actions that will straighten things out.

                    There are two aspects to this. First, there are short-term actions to minimize the impact of the error, so that business can get back on course. Then there are more permanent corrections. The latter may include some painful choices. Think carefully about them before making a proposal. Be ready to accept alternatives that could work better.

                    1. Set an Example

                    Now you’re in really good shape. You’ve identified the problem, admitted your responsibility, and taken concrete steps to fix it. Now follow through with everything that needs doing.

                    You might feel frustrated that others hid behind your acceptance of responsibility. But if you handled the situation well, you’ve improved the chances that others will admit and deal with their mistakes in the future.

                    They’ll see that it wasn’t the end of the world when you admitted you messed up. They’ll know you don’t think you’re infallible. This will make them feel safer about acknowledging their mistakes. Dealing well with the situation helps to build a culture of trust, where people can admit they’ve made an error and deal with it openly.

                    1. Disclose it Quickly

                    This isn’t really a separate step, but it’s part of everything we’ve talked about so far. The faster you deal with a problem you created, the less damage it will do. Don’t be recklessly hasty, but avoid procrastination. This is especially important in recognizing the existence of a problem and admitting your error played a role. Get past that part, and then you can head off consequences that will make the situation worse.

                    Find More Ways IT Leaders Get Over Their Mistakes

                    In martial arts, the first thing you learn is how to fall and not get hurt. Management isn’t that different. Follow all these steps when you make a mistake, and you’ll be back on your feet quickly. You’ll earn respect and be seen as an even stronger leader than before.

                    For more ideas on saving time and money in your IT department, visit Zeriva’s IT tips.

                     

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                      10 Steps to Help IT Employees Communicate With Their Manager

                       

                      If you’re an IT department employee and you’re having a hard time getting your manager to listen to what you have to say, it’s important to understand the dynamics of your department and your boss’s mindset.

                      The Nature of IT Departments

                      IT departments are an integral part of every business. Without them, many companies wouldn’t be able to function properly; yet, in most cases, they make up only a fraction of a company’s overall workforce. It’s typical for a company with several thousand employees to employ only a handful of people to ensure that their technology is sound.

                      With so much at stake and so few hands on deck, an IT department can be a stressful place to work. IT managers have it the hardest. Indeed, if anything goes wrong, the blame will ultimately fall back on them.

                      Getting Through to Your Boss

                      If you feel that you’re having a hard time getting through to your boss, you’ll have to work to earn his trust. The following ten tips will help you build your relationship with your manager and gain his respect:

                       

                      1. Make Sure You’re Communicating Properly

                      George Bernard Shaw once said: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”. The first step to building a rapport with others is to communicate properly. One of the main components of successful communication is making sure that both sides understand each other and walk away knowing what’s on the other person’s mind. If you have a conversation with your manager, and either party isn’t sure what the other was trying to say, then, in the words of Shaw, the conversation never happened.

                      1. Develop a Relationship

                      Try to get as personal as you can with your boss without being annoying. When you ask someone how they’re doing, it will humanize them, and they will start to appreciate you as a person.

                      1. Know Your Manager’s Goals

                      Always be on top of what your manager is working on and understand what he’s trying to accomplish. Compliment him when you like a project that he’s working on or when he implements a new policy. If you provide positive feedback about something that’s going on at the department, it will make him feel like you’re a member of the team.

                      1. Be Careful With Negative Feedback

                      While it’s okay to disagree when you think something is wrong, tread lightly before you say something that may sound critical. You don’t want him to get the impression that you’re a disagreeable person in general; furthermore, if he proceeds without listening to your advice, be sure to work with a positive attitude, so he can see that you’re a team player who was only looking out for him.

                      1. Be Upfront When Something Bad Happens

                      If you’ve made a mistake that he should know about, bring it to his attention in a polite, apologetic, and straightforward manner. Don’t explain that you were trying to be innovative and had you succeeded you would have been a hero, because that’s totally irrelevant. Take ownership of the problem by apologizing, and try to move on.

                      1. Always Be Well Prepared, and Understand That Time Is a Rare Commodity

                      If you need to present something to your manager or members of your team, make sure you are very familiar with the subject matter. Be concise, and focus on the main points that you’re trying to convey. Try to avoid going off on a tangent, unless someone asks you a question that takes you off-topic. People value their time, and they appreciate a person who is clear and direct with their words. Work on your oral and written communications until you feel you can communicate them clearly in a minimal amount of time or words.

                      1. Be a Game-Changer

                      Network with your manager and colleagues to find out what they’re working on and where they’re having difficulties. Try to bring positive, helpful ideas to the table that will help them deal with issues they’re having. Make sure not to be condescending; people don’t like pompousness, and if they feel that you think you’re better than them or that you’re undermining them, it will only work against you.

                      1. Honor the Chain of Command

                      If you’re having an issue with your manager, deal with him directly. Going to his higher-ups could permanently damage any relationship you may have had with him. If for any reason you feel you have no choice but to speak to his boss, don’t do it behind his back. Let him know, in a very polite way, that you’re going over his head, and explain your reason for doing so. In many cases, approaching your manager in such a manner will compel him to be more attentive to what you’re trying to get across to him.

                      1. If the Meeting Is Important, Arrive Early

                      Coming late to a meeting is a show of disrespect to the other attendees. At best, people will think that you’re irresponsible. Most likely, they’ll feel that you don’t take the issues at hand seriously, and you will lose their respect. If you come on time and look organized, you’ll blend in as another member of the team.

                      1. Try to Take a Seat Next to the Team Leader

                      A good leader will give everyone in the room an equal amount of attention, but many people are more mindful to the people sitting in their immediate vicinity. If you can figure out how to get to sit next to the people in charge, they will notice you more and will take more heed of your input than other people’s suggestions.

                      Stick With It Until You Succeed

                      It’s not easy to build a relationship, and it’s hard to get people to respect you. Forging a bond takes a lot of time, effort, and patience. If you work diligently to improve how you conduct yourself in public and how you interact with others, people will see that you’re a good person and that you bring value to your company and peers.

                      Zeriva can help you bring more great ideas to the table by providing technical resources and money-saving ideas to your IT Department.  We have helped a lot of IT leaders just like you.  Contact and tell us about your next IT project so we can help you as well.

                      Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to properly dispose of your IT assets. Our team of responsive, certified engineers is accustomed to disposing of IT assets for Fortune 500 companies and offer a comprehensive array of IT solutions for growing companies. Helping you enjoy a high ROI on your assets while complying with industry regulations is our top priority, and we offer an impressive track record of success in the remarketing arena. We look forward to the opportunity to serve as your trusted ITAD partner!

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                        5 Steps to Improving Emotional Intelligence in IT Department’s

                        Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ for Emotional Quotient) is defined as the ability possessed by an individual to be cognizant, in control of, and expressive of their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. In the workplace, high emotional intelligence plays an important role in regard to both personal and professional success. Further, it is a key trait of a competent and efficient team member and leader.

                        Countless studies have explored the benefits of high emotional intelligence in the workplace, particularly in the growing realm of technology professions, such as IT. IT (Information Technology) professionals possess distinctive personality traits that make them effective at what they do, and at the moment, high EQ isn’t topping the list. Fortunately, that’s beginning to change. CEO’s, managers, and other leaders are putting more effort into hiring and embedding in existing employees the importance and benefits of incorporating emotional intelligence into their daily interactions at work.

                        For company leaders looking to improve the emotional intelligence of your IT department, here are 5 proven steps for enhancing their EQ.

                        5 Steps to Improving EI 

                        Self-Awareness

                        Self-awareness is emotional intelligence. It manifests itself in many ways. Specifically, when speaking about the workplace, it entails taking into account that an organization is an accumulation of many individuals with many different personalities, cultures, and lived experiences. Whether you are the head of your department or simply a member of the team, understanding how to interact with your coworkers efficiently, means understanding them on an emotional level.

                        Self-awareness in regards to EQ entails:

                        • Understanding how you come off to people (verbally and nonverbally) can play an important role in how the recipient of your attention conducts themselves from that point forward. Taking their feeling into account before you speak will work in your favor to not only establish a stronger working relationship but increase productivity.
                        • Being emotionally observant of each member of your department works to deescalate situations and build a more unified team. Specifically, being emotionally observant involves a high level of empathy and understanding, as an individual may be dealing with something outside of the office that may require a much more sensitive approach in regards to communication.
                        • Understanding your own abilities and limitations work to create a higher level of productivity within your department. We all want to be superheroes and take on the world alone, but every now and again, even superheroes need a bit of help. Delegating tasks or asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of self-awareness.
                        • False confidence can be costly, and by costly, I mean it can pose a significantly higher risk of wasting valuable company time, energy, and money. Accurately assessing your own confidence and capabilities requires self-awareness and a subdued ego, which can be tough, but the benefits for the organization could be monumental.

                        Self-Regulation

                        The ability to control one’s emotions and impulses is a big indicator of one’s level of emotional intelligence.

                        Self-regulation in regards to EQ entails:

                        • Being conscious that in moments of high stress, frustration, and anger, lashing out or making a permanent decision on temporary feelings isn’t in yours, or the company’s best interest. During moments like this, it is important to step away from the situation to gather your thoughts, so you can assess the problem and make a decision that best serves your interest.
                        • Being a person with integrity is a fundamental quality that assists in establishing strong bonds. Integrity encompasses trustworthiness and honesty, which are traits that make it easier to progress past a mistake.
                        • Being accountable for your performance, good or bad, shows a level a maturity that promotes openness and higher self-awareness in the workplace.
                        • Change in the workplace, whether it be in regards to technology or staff is inevitable. Having the ability to adapt to change is required if you hope to succeed.
                        • Seeking and taking the advice of others on innovative ways to boost the efficiency of a particular process, can help make your life easier by saving you time and energy.
                        • Thinking before you react to a situation is the most advised form of self-regulation. Sometimes we tend to say things without fully processing what’s being said, which often leads to misunderstandings.
                        • For most people, criticism is often hard to hear and frequently ignored, as it goes against the way in which we view ourselves (abilities and performance). Realizing that the constructive criticism you are receiving from your team or higher ups in your department, is meant as a means to help you improve, can be the difference between helping you elevate to your highest potential or remaining stagnate.

                        Self-Motivation

                        Aristotle stated, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”. Being aware of the area’s in which you need improvement and striving to do just that, improve, will help you reach your goals (professional and personal).

                        Self-motivation in regard to EQ entails:

                        • Putting yourself in position to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself means ensuring that you are equipped with the skill set needed to thrive when your chance arises.
                        • Being optimistic is an important component to thriving as it can help you focus on your goals while remaining consistent even when faced with obstacles.
                        • Keeping your commitments aligns with consistency, which helps you remain on track to achieving what you set out to accomplish. Keeping your commitments is a reminder to yourself and others that you care about what you are doing, you value the time of the people you are working with, and you are reliable.

                        Social Environment Awareness

                        A high level of awareness of the world around you, and an ability to interact with people in a manner appropriate to the variables at play (i.e., interest and concerns), shows the people you are engaging with and your observers that you are in touch with your environment.

                        Social environment awareness in regards to EQ entails:

                        • Being socially conscious of your environment means that you have a heightened awareness of the wants, needs, and emotions of those around you (co-workers, and customers).
                        • Developing this skill allows you to assess from afar or up close the talents of those around you, enabling you to help your team members fine-tune or expand their skills to become more successful in the workplace.
                        • Understanding the different skillsets and personalities of those around you can enable you to create a more diverse team of competent individuals that can attack projects from different angles, further increasing your probability of success.
                        • Being aware of your social environment allows you to observe how the office functions regarding politics and relationships. Once you’ve adequately assessed the ins and outs of the workplace you can utilize the information to your advantage to help your ascension within your department.
                        • Being aware of a high performing co-worker, and acknowledging their achievements shows them that their hard work isn’t going unnoticed and encourages them to continue to strive to be the best they can be.
                        • Offering feedback and constructive criticism to those you feel need it, serves to better the person you are interacting with and the workplace as a whole.
                        • When you make a mistake and you can see or you are aware that it has negatively affected someone, simply saying sorry can help remedy the situation and prevent a larger problem from building and erupting in the future.

                        Learning to Develop Your Social Skills

                        Learning tactics such as persuasion to help not only advance your career but the success of your team is important to the evolution of your department.

                        Social skills in regards to EQ entails:

                        • Becoming a clearer communicator is one of the most essential social skills a person can possess. Being able to get your message across clearly and concisely creates efficiency and less friction within a conversion, enabling those you are conversing with to better follow your instructions.
                        • Becoming a leader that inspires your team, will encourage them to work at a level that exceeds your expectations.
                        • Incorporating change adds value to not just yourself, but your team will help boost the level of success within your department.
                        • Developing the skill of mediation will help you efficiently deescalate disputes and develop company resolutions that work for all parties involved.
                        • Developing strong bonds with your team is important because it opens lines of communication that wouldn’t be possible in traditional leader/employer relationships.
                        • Understanding the overall mission of your company will help you create a game plan that assists your department in doing what it can to achieve company objectives.
                        • Being considerate of others emotions, and not employing tactics to manipulate them with your own emotions is a good way to build healthier relationships within the team. It’s also important to not let others manipulate you with their emotions, as it is a sign that they lack respect for you and your role within the department.

                        Selecting a trusted ITAD partner is one of the most important decisions you will make as an IT Director. As outlined above, it is critical to carefully evaluate prospective partners to ensure that they have the experience, resources, and efficiency required to properly dispose of your IT assets. Additionally, the ITAD partner you choose should be sharply focused on helping you improve your ROI on your IT assets while generating disposal solutions that are environmentally-friendly.

                        Learn More About What to Look for in an ITAD Partner when Disposing of Surplus IT Equipment

                        Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to properly dispose of your IT assets. Our team of responsive, certified engineers is accustomed to disposing of IT assets for Fortune 500 companies and offer a comprehensive array of IT solutions for growing companies. Helping you enjoy a high ROI on your assets while complying with industry regulations is our top priority, and we offer an impressive track record of success in the remarketing arena. We look forward to the opportunity to serve as your trusted ITAD partner!

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                          4 Things to look for in your ITAD partner (Video)

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                          How to Reset a Cisco 3750G-24PS-S Switch to the Factory Default Settings

                          How to Reset a Cisco 3750G-24PS-S Switch to the Factory Default Settings

                          Step by Step instructions

                          1. Make sure you have Tera Term or Hyper Term open on the computer you will use to console into the switch with.
                          2. Insert the console cable into the console port on the back of the switch
                          3. Hold down the mode button on the front, left bottom of the switch (and continue to hold through step 5)
                          4. While continuing to hold the mode button, insert the power cable in the rear of the switch
                          5. Continue to hold the mode button until the system LED light stops blinking and no LED’s are lit. At this time, release the mode button
                          6. You will see on the screen that the system has booted and is ready for commands
                          7. Type flash_init and press enter
                          8. Type dir flash: and press enter
                          9. Files on the switch, including IOS (line 2 in this example), will be listed. The IOS will have the model number of the switch as part of the name.  Be sure not to remove this file.  It will delete the operating system
                          10. Type delete flash: , then highlight the name of the file you wish to remove, right click and the file name will be copied next to the colon you typed
                          11. Press enter.  You will be asked if you want to delete the file.  Press Y for yes and then enter
                          12. Continue the previous steps for all files except the IOS
                          13. When you have successfully deleted the unwanted files, type boot and press enter
                          14. The system will reboot and will now be set back to the factory default setting without any previous saved configurations on the switch

                           

                           

                           

                          Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to properly dispose of your IT assets. Our team of responsive, certified engineers is accustomed to disposing of IT assets for Fortune 500 companies and offer a comprehensive array of IT solutions for growing companies. Helping you enjoy a high ROI on your assets while complying with industry regulations is our top priority, and we offer an impressive track record of success in the remarketing arena. We look forward to the opportunity to serve as your trusted ITAD partner!

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                          Working With Zeriva Leads to Cash Bonus for 2,000 Bartow County Employees

                          Title:  Working With Zeriva Leads to Cash Bonus for 2,000 Bartow County Employees

                          Robert F. Kennedy once proclaimed, “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to make things better”. Bartow County School System employees work tirelessly every day to help prepare students to “contribute to their community”. However, if you have ever worked in the field of education, you know that developing and supporting high-quality classroom instruction is not always easy. School systems often have limited financial resources, yet face mounting pressure to exceed seemingly impossible goals. Professors of Education Allen Odden and Lawrence Picus note that schools and teachers are often caught in a “double squeeze” due to limited resources and “growing expectations for improved student performance”.

                          Sometimes the path to a budget surplus could be right in front of you. In the case of Bartow County School System, the surprise key to a budget surplus was 6,000 used Apple MacBooks. Below is a look at how Zeriva helped Bartow County School System reward its hardworking employees with an unexpected supplemental cash bonus.

                          A Look at the Three Key Parties Involved

                          Budget surpluses are a rarity – especially in the field of education. They tend to materialize when great minds come together to make the most of every single asset available – even those assets that may seem to hold little value to the average person. Here is a look at the three key parties involved in this success story:

                          1) The Employer: Bartow County School System

                          Bartow County School System’s vision is “to graduate all children career and college ready, prepared to contribute to their community”. With a total student population of 13,449, Bartow County schools are known for their 87% average graduation rate and their high percentage of honors graduates. However, like many public school systems, their leadership team is constantly striving to come up with innovative ways to generate revenue to achieve their goals.

                          2) The Employees: All Individuals Employed by Bartow County School System

                          “The Bartow County School System engages all children in relevant learning experiences and empowers each to succeed in the 21st century through the collaborative investment of faculty, staff, parents, and the community.”

                          – Bartow County School System Mission Statement

                          The faculty and staff comprise the school system’s nerve center. Their team of employees includes teachers, counselors, aides, food service personnel, maintenance staff, coaches, computer technicians, and bus drivers. Indeed, this diverse team of workers is employed to work toward the common goal of empowering students to succeed in the 21st century.

                          3) The Team: Every Department and Individual Involved in the Project

                          Budget surpluses do not unfold on their own. They require a proactive approach, resourcefulness, and collaborative efforts. In this case, nearly 2,000 employees were able to enjoy an unexpected $750 bonus thanks to a team effort between the Bartow County School System and Zeriva. Thanks to the efforts and forward-thinking collaboration between Bartow school officials and Zeriva, this ITAD project made a positive impact on families across Bartow County.

                          How a Simple Three-Step Strategy Can Positively Impact Thousands of People

                          Making a bonus possible for every person employed by the Bartow County School District was simpler than you might think. It is important to note that school officials held the keys to success for this project. Here is a look at the three simple steps that helped nearly 2,000 people employed by Bartow County Schools enjoy a $750 bonus:

                          Step One: Prepare a List of Your Assets

                          The path to capitalizing on your unused computers and IT equipment begins with an organized audit of your IT assets. In this case, Bartow County Schools’ leadership team compiled a comprehensive list of all of the outdated Apple MacBooks that were no longer in use by students. The list included the manufacturer and serial number associated with each MacBook. The list was submitted to Zeriva for review.

                          Step Two: Zeriva Provides an Action Proposal Based on the List

                          After you submit your list of assets, Zeriva will carefully review it alongside your key objectives. Knowing your objectives is important to ensuring that Zeriva develops a proposal that best meets your needs and goals. Accordingly, Zeriva proposed a cash offer for the 6,000 outdated MacBooks.

                          Step Three: Finalize a Decision

                          The last of the three simple steps is to carefully review Zeriva’s proposal with key stakeholders and finalize your decision. In this case, the Bartow County School leadership team reviewed the benefits of Zeriva’s proposal and decided to sell their out-of-service MacBooks to Zeriva. Here are some factors that frequently motivate clients such as the Bartow County School System to work with Zeriva to make the most of their surplus IT equipment:

                          • A welcome influx of cash: Receiving cash for outdated IT assets enables Zeriva clients to offer employee bonuses, buy new hardware, and fund new revenue generating initiatives
                          • The prospect of giving back: Many people are delighted to learn that their surplus IT equipment could benefit people in underserved areas
                          • A fast no hassle transaction: The three-step process outlined above can be undertaken swiftly and easily – sometimes in a matter of hours
                          • Secure disposal of IT equipment: Selling old IT equipment to Zeriva ensures that your project is managed by an ISO and R2 Certified organization

                          A Rewarding Outcome for All Parties Involved

                          Working with Zeriva ITAD services is rewarding for all parties involved because everyone gains a benefit from old PCs or laptops. Clients who sell their surplus IT equipment to Zeriva typically receive a cash payment that can create a well-needed budget surplus for organizations. Employees who work for those organizations also benefit from the satisfaction of helping all of their stakeholders achieve their goals and sometimes receive raises and bonuses from the budget surplus. And Zeriva often repurposes the unwanted equipment and sells it to organizations in parts of the world where it can be put to good use.

                          If you have outdated PCs, laptops, or other IT equipment, we invite you to contact us at Zeriva to discover how we can convert your surplus IT equipment into well needed cash. We look forward to helping your organization prosper!

                           

                          Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to properly dispose of your IT assets. Our team of responsive, certified engineers is accustomed to disposing of IT assets for Fortune 500 companies and offer a comprehensive array of IT solutions for growing companies. Helping you enjoy a high ROI on your assets while complying with industry regulations is our top priority, and we offer an impressive track record of success in the remarketing arena. We look forward to the opportunity to serve as your trusted ITAD partner!

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                          4 Things to Look for in Your ITAD Partner When Disposing of Surplus IT Equipment

                          As the director of an IT department for a growing company, one of your key responsibilities is to select a trusted IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) provider. While this task may seem straightforward, the reality is that not all ITAD providers are created equal. Just one oversight or mistake by an inexperienced provider can compromise confidential records, result in costly fines, and jeopardize your company’s reputation as a trustworthy organization.

                          Fortunately, you can help avoid these pitfalls by ensuring that the ITAD partner you choose exhibits some fundamental qualities that set them apart from the competition. From a strong focus on data security to the ability to boost your ROI on your IT assets, the ITAD partner you select should have a proven track record of success. Below is a look at some of the key challenges related to the disposal of surplus IT data and four things to look for in your ITAD partner.

                          What Are the Most Common Challenges Related to the Disposal of Surplus It Data?

                          “Large U.S. organizations have made major improvements in their information technology asset disposition (ITAD) practices this year, according to new primary and secondary research conducted by Compliance Standards LLC (CS). But an unsettled ITAD vendor ecosystem has raised concerns among ITAD services buyers, leading to reduced commitment from users.”

                           Recycling Today

                          Research on ITAD practices indicates that American businesses are improving their ITAD practices. However, researchers have also discovered that the ITAD industry encompasses providers that use unethical recycling methods. Other challenges include online selling of surplus data and a lack of focus on audit reporting. A recent compliance article in Recycling Today outlined these concerns, highlighting the need for improvement among ITAD vendors in the key areas outlined below.

                          1) Adhere to the Highest Recycling Standards

                          Safe, eco-friendly e-waste recycling should be a top priority for your ITAD partner. The partner you choose should offer solutions that comply with regulatory standards in your industry in addition to government compliance standards. The nation’s top ITAD partners are aware of all of the authorized disposal facilities in the United States and will ensure that your electronic waste is properly recycled or disposed.

                          Failure to choose a partner with a focus on recycling standards can leave your organization at risk for costly fines and civil penalties. For example, Whole Foods Market California was recently found guilty of mishandling the disposal of electronic devices. They were fined $1.2 million for failing to properly dispose of their electronic waste and were required to provide extensive employee training on the proper disposal of hazardous and electronic waste.

                          2) Timely and Accurate Audit Reporting

                          Audits require just the right balance of efficiency and exhaustiveness. For example, reporting audit times should take no more than 10 business days. More importantly, the ITAD partner you select should be comprehensive in their review of your assets. They should utilize a proactive approach to avoid ITAD problems and should offer the following as a part of their auditing process:

                          • A detailed review of all of your assets to identify opportunities for value
                          • Verification of the serial numbers, makes, and model numbers of all of your equipment
                          • A thorough review of your equipment to ensure you are receiving the highest possible value on your investment
                          • Discuss the internal control mechanisms that you have in place to detect and prevent misuse of equipment and data

                          3) Robust Data Security

                          Choosing an ITAD partner with a flawless reputation for proper data removal is essential to preventing costly data breaches. The average cost of a data breach in the United States has reached a record high of $7.35 million, highlighting how vital it is to properly remove customer data. Secure data removal methods include shredding hard drives or using an approved Department of Defense compliant erasure software application.

                          4) A Higher ROI on Your IT Assets

                          Many IT asset managers are unaware of the potential for revenue that is directly related to their electronic asset disposition. However, an accomplished ITAD company that specializes in remarketing can help you enjoy a higher return on your IT assets. Here are some specific points of focus for a forward-thinking ITAD partner to help you enjoy a higher ROI on your IT assets:

                          • Asset Tracking: The ITAD partner you choose should continually monitor all of your IT assets, keeping track of procurement dates
                          • Timing: A proactive ITAD firm will help ensure that you liquidate your assets before they lose too much value
                          • Logistics: Efficient logistics strategies can equate to thousands of dollars in additional revenue depending on the size of your business

                          Finally, it is important to look for a partner that is experienced with the secondary market for Enterprise IT assets and endpoint devices. In contrast to generalist ITAD companies that typically dispose of assets with little or no resale value, ITAD companies with remarketing expertise can maximize recovery for remarketable assets. The end result is a healthier bottom line for your organization.

                          Successfully Overcoming Your IT Asset Disposition Challenges

                          Selecting a trusted ITAD partner is one of the most important decisions you will make as an IT Director. As outlined above, it is critical to carefully evaluate prospective partners to ensure that they have the experience, resources, and efficiency required to properly dispose of your IT assets. Additionally, the ITAD partner you choose should be sharply focused on helping you improve your ROI on your IT assets while generating disposal solutions that are environmentally-friendly.

                          Learn More About What to Look for in an ITAD Partner when Disposing of Surplus IT Equipment

                          Zeriva welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization to map out a customized plan to properly dispose of your IT assets. Our team of responsive, certified engineers is accustomed to disposing of IT assets for Fortune 500 companies and offer a comprehensive array of IT solutions for growing companies. Helping you enjoy a high ROI on your assets while complying with industry regulations is our top priority, and we offer an impressive track record of success in the remarketing arena. We look forward to the opportunity to serve as your trusted ITAD partner!

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                          Is the Lack of an IT Budget Stressing You Out?

                          IT Budget Stressing You Out?

                          business office with it managers discussing financial qualms

                          Is the Lack of an IT Budget Stressing You Out?

                          As an IT manager for a growing business, your livelihood hinges on your ability to efficiently manage your network, business development applications, and security without exhausting your budget. Unfortunately, the cost of simply “keeping the lights on” now consumes 70% of the average IT budget. This can place undue stress on an overburdened IT manager. If your current lack of IT budget is stressing you out, it is a good time to seek the expertise of an industry specialist who can help you attain a Fortune 500 quality network even if your financial resources are limited. Below is a look at some of the key challenges facing IT managers, and how you can overcome those challenges by following a simple three-step plan.

                          What are the Most Common Challenges Facing IT Managers?

                          Today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape requires IT managers to contend with a mounting array of responsibilities. They are expected to provide field service and network connectivity solutions in addition to ensuring that Wifi, data centers, computers, and phones are functional 24/7. Sometimes these responsibilities can be more than an IT team can handle.

                          What is the Key to Overcoming These Challenges?

                          If you have stretched your IT budget as far as you possibly can, it may seem like you have hit a brick wall. At this point, the best step to take is to think outside the box and find an innovative solution that will help you achieve your goals while reducing expenses. The key is to seek the expertise of a specialist that understands exactly how your everyday challenges are contributing to your stress. Zeriva seeks to guide you on how to best capitalize on your strengths. By following our simple three-step plan, you can maximize your IT budget without feeling overextended.

                          How Does the Process Work?

                          Simplicity is the key to success when implementing an IT solution. Rather than navigating through the complications of working with an OEM, you will be on the fast track to cost savings and reduced stress in just three easy steps:

                          • Step One: Send Zeriva your business objectives and key requirements
                          • Step Two: Collaborate with Zeriva’s certified engineers and technicians to personalize a solution that meets your needs
                          • Step Three: Implement your customized solution without high costs and stress

                          Upon completion of these three steps, you can begin to refocus your energies on key IT priorities and meeting your business objectives. And if any questions or concerns arise after you implement the plan, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that Zeriva’s technicians are just a phone call away to provide guidance.

                          What are the Benefits of Following the Plan?

                          Small to mid-size companies in search of ways to maximize their IT budgets will enjoy a host of benefits by following the plan above. From cost savings to personalized support, the advantages of seeking guidance from a group that has already helped many organizations just like yours can be a difference maker for stressed IT managers. Here is a look at the top five benefits you will experience as you work with Zeriva to optimize your IT resources:

                          1) Cost Savings of 50% to 90%

                          “On average, companies spend 70 percent of their IT budgets just to maintain the current network and “keep the lights on,” reports IDC. The ability to reduce hardware maintenance and data center reports without compromising uptime is appealing, especially as organizations address IT megatrends encompassing security, mobility and the Internet of Things.”

                          – NetworkWorld, IDG Communications

                          You can choose from a variety of solutions such as refurbished IT hardware and field service support that can yield cost savings of up to 90%. This enables you to allocate additional help and guidance to areas of your department that desperately need financial support.

                          Hands of businessman looking over financial savings for IT managers

                          Hands of a businessman looking over financial savings.

                          2) Customized Solutions for Enterprise Environments

                          Your organization is completely unique in terms of its IT needs. Accordingly, your organization will receive a customized solution that reflects your specific needs for enterprise-level hardware and support.

                          3) Stress-Free Implementation and Maintenance

                          Relying on an OEM to provide equipment implementation and maintenance is costly and stressful for organizations with limited budgets. By partnering with Zeriva, you can enjoy a network that features equipment by leading providers like Cisco, Dell, and EqualLogic without paying exorbitant implementation and maintenance costs. You will also receive computer hardware and ongoing maintenance and support at a fraction of the cost that you would pay to work with an OEM.

                          4) Superb Customer Support

                          Swift access to sales support and service is the cornerstone of success for a five-star equipment provider. You deserve to be more than just a number when you require assistance. You receive swift access to live technical support from a highly skilled team of dedicated engineers, technicians, and support staff who are eager to help you achieve your objectives.

                          5) A Delighted Executive Team

                          Few things will excite your CFO and CEO more than the prospect of saving up to 90% on high-quality equipment and IT services. By presenting a solution that offers a combination of substantial cost savings and stellar customer support, you will succeed in delighting your boss and the entire executive team for your company.

                          Are There Any Limitations to Consider?

                          It is not uncommon for IT managers to worry about working with a non-OEM provider. In particular, you may worry that you might not receive the same quality of product or support that you would from an OEM. And the truth is that not all IT outsourcing companies are created equal. The key to overcoming this concern is to make sure that you choose a partner with the following qualities:

                          • Industry expertise: Be sure to inquire about the provider’s past experience working with businesses in your industry
                          • Impressive references: Providers who have worked with Fortune 500 companies are an excellent choice
                          • Outstanding support: Make sure you choose a provider that employs certified engineers and technicians

                          The Bottom Line

                          Overextended IT budgets are a common theme in today’s rapidly evolving IT landscape. Fortunately, you can reduce your stress by implementing Zeriva’s simple three-step plan. We invite you to contact us today to find out why customers such as Ford, Fujitsu, and Hyatt entrust us to deliver cost-effective solutions to their IT teams. We look forward to providing guidance and support to help your IT department thrive!

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