Top 3 IT equipment needed for a start-up

Whether you are just starting out or want to ensure the continued growth of your business, investing in IT equipment suitable for your needs is absolutely necessary. If you are eligible for the Start-Up Nation program introduced by the Ministry of Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship (MMACA) with the aim of supporting the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, you will be able to use the funds made available, including for the digitalization of your business. 

If you want your business, in the early stages of development, to benefit from the best conditions to thrive and generate the desired profit, you should invest in these three IT equipment that are useful for any start-up. 

1. Workstations 

Any startup business plan should include the costs involved in providing the necessary workstations for each employee. First, it is advisable to decide whether classic desktops, mini PCs or laptops are more useful. 

For employees who can work from home or are often in the field, laptop portability is essential. Mini PCs are a good choice especially when you want a more airy workspace, while classic desktops are often recommended for employees who spend all day at the office and need more powerful configurations to carry out their work. 

In order to benefit from IT equipment customized for your needs, you must consider technical specifications such as:

• Processor type – must be powerful enough to run multiple threads of execution;
• Available RAM – the number of GB must be generous, especially if virtual machines are used;
• Data storage solutions – you can opt for classic hard drives or modern SSDs with greater reliability, capacities ranging from 256GB to 4TB;
• Display characteristics – a generous size, higher resolution, and adequate brightness level can ensure more comfortable use;
• Networking options – for a fast internet connection, GbE Ethernet ports and/or a Wi-Fi 6/6E wireless network adapter are required for laptops;
• Hardware-level security solutions – modern configurations also include certain protections implemented in hardware, such as partition encryption using a TPM chip or tamper-resistant firmware. These complement the other IT security measures implemented. 

2. Data storage solutions

Part of the digitalization funds, whether private or obtained as a result of a start-up financing for which your business is eligible, should be dedicated to choosing a way to store the data handled every day. You can consider both cloud solutions, as well as local. 

A local server is an IT device dedicated to data storage with a configuration similar to a PC, but with multiple hard drives designed for numerous writes and reads. These can be accessed by any computer on the internal network. Such a system is usually scalable and can be secured in multiple ways, but requires a significant initial investment to purchase the right hardware. At the same time, it will be necessary to ensure constant IT maintenance. 

Cloud solutions are a more modern option that involves storing data remotely, using the services provided by specialized providers. You can customize the number of GB of cloud storage you need at any time, so you will only pay for what you use and you will not have to worry about maintaining or improving the system. Therefore, the benefits of a cloud solution are multiple. It should be noted that the files will not be stored on physical workstations, which is why an internet connection will always be required to access them. 

In both cases, in order to comply with the laws governing personal data protection and to protect yourself from cyber attacks, it is important to implement advanced IT security measures - from antivirus to complex authentication methods and encryption. 

3. Network equipment 

In order to easily connect all the computers, printers, servers and other devices used, the IT infrastructure built must also include all the necessary network equipment. Their number and type vary depending on the size, structure and data access needs of your business. 

The main IT products needed are:

• Routers and switches – these network devices mediate internet access for all devices used. Both wired and wireless connections are possible. For an advanced level of security, you can opt for routers that have an integrated firewall or you can create virtual local area networks (VLANs). Such solutions help avoid DDoS attacks and ransomware;
• Patch panel – this IT equipment is especially necessary for a start-up with a more complex infrastructure and performs cable management in the technical room. To ensure the necessary internet connection, it must be connected to a switch or router. 

Interconnecting these equipment and ensuring optimal communication between them is achieved both with high-quality Ethernet cables and with fiber optic patches in the case of switches and routers.

If you want to ensure the success of your newly founded startup, these three categories of IT equipment are essential. Choosing and customizing technical specifications can be a challenging process, which is why it is important to to seek the advice of specialists. This way, you will be able to maximize the benefits of the start-up financing sources available to you.