Techno Toys
At ACME, our IT team is too small to staff every office and operations-center function 24/7. At one time, we gave extra "on call" pay to IT personnel who were expected to respond during off-hours, but we eventually phased that out in favor of a standard annual salary structure. Over time, we've found that motivating IT staff to contribute around the clock if and when needed is not just a matter of money--it's also a matter of access.
First, IT organizations should expect to pay for home DSL or cable modem service to help core IT staff provide support after hours. At ACME, as wireless technology improved, we started providing our IT staff with mobile phones and integrated devices that offer e-mail capabilities, so they could respond faster, with less impact on their personal lives. For many after-hours events, IT professionals can handle many tasks, such as problem diagnosis and system restart, without having to return to the office.
Case in Point
Every IT organization is different, and your mobile-communications technology will vary, but ACME's IT unit has standardized on those addictive wireless devices known as Blackberries. We use them to keep abreast of work and to communicate with one another via e-mail, IM and mobile phone.
Subsea cable alternatives can provide a level of comfort for those concerned about disruptions. Realistically, they will continue to play a small, but critical role in the short term.
Maintaining existing network infrastructures often incurs huge technical debt before newer technologies are adopted over time.
Amid ongoing regional uncertainties, telecom infrastructure in the Middle East has expand to include terrestrial low-latency network infrastructure, which offers resilience and agility in navigating political complexities without relying solely on undersea networks.
