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Low cost PCs or high end Macs? How should you think about technology resources if you're a startup?
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4 Answers
Rather than think about a "corporate device" strategy, I would create a cloud-based strategy for core business applications and then give employees a "preferred device" allowance - either in the form of a one-time payment or a monthly allowance (for a prescribed period). This way you get rid of a lot of the headaches of maintaining an "IT infrastructure". Each employee gets their device of choice and I let the SaaS provider worry about supporting multiple devices, security, mobility, etc.
The only device-specific purchases I would make would be for specialized business functions or applications that can't be supported by cloud-based services, but those are becoming few and far between.
Obviously it's hard to avoid building some degree of infrastructure, but with today's cloud delivery model you can minimize capital outlays and ongoing support costs. And employees don't gripe about that crappy laptop you make them carry around...
I agree with Robert's approach. Even though it does add some complexity in support, this is more than offset by the removal of lots of complexity from the backend, and from the costs of procuring larger infrastructure.
The other area of possible concern is with data ownership when personal devices are involved, but that is a problem that will exist today even when an organization directly provides most of the infrastructure anyway.
-ASB: http://XeeMe.com/AndrewBaker
To oversimplify, choose the best tool for the job.
I cannot see justifying high end Mac systems at two to three times the cost of 'low cost PCs' if there is no gain in productivity or quality of output.
There are some jobs where a Mac would/could be the obvious choice, including the graphics/video/publishing arenas where they have a long standing history of being the 'standard', and many people already have experience and skills with the Mac relative to their field.
I would always try to base a purchase decision on logic, over time after evaluating facts, versus an emotional quick decision based on brand affinity.
I don't like the current "Cloud" concept, but for many firms most employees can go with a tablet at a fraction of the cost.
Then there is also no reason why you can't have a mixed platform environment. This way you get the right tool for the right job.
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